Entertainment
“Project Hail Mary” star Ryan Gosling hosted the March 7 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” with Gorillaz as musical guest.
SNL Recap: Musical guest Gorillaz, host Ryan Gosling, and cast member Ashley Padilla ahead of the March 7, 2026 episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
March 8, 2026 | 12:05 PM
2 minutes to read
“SNL” returned to the air for the 14th episode of its 51st season on Saturday, March 7, with Ryan Gosling as host and Gorillaz as musical guest.
Gosling was hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the fourth time — not the fifth, as his promo earlier in the week humorously suggested.
Despite not quite being part of the five-timers club yet, Gosling is a capable veteran host, responsible for beloved pre-tapes like “Papyrus” and break-filled live sketches like “Beavis & Butthead” and “Alien Encounter” with Kate McKinnon.
True to form, Gosling delivered an excellent pre-tape early in the episode (“Otezla“) and a sketch nearly derailed by laughter from cast member Ashley Padilla (“Passing Notes“).
Fans also got a sneak preview of next week’s episode of “SNL,” which will feature pop star Harry Styles pulling double duty as host and musical guest. The former One Direction singer was in the audience for Gosling’s opening monologue, leading the “Barbie” star to feel a bit upstaged.
One person who Styles didn’t upstage fellow British musician Damon Albarn, who brought his animated band Gorillaz to Studio 8H for the first time to commemorate the band’s 25th anniversary and upcoming album. “SNL” musical acts almost always play their new music instead of classic tunes, so it was a rare treat to have Gorillaz (and Del the Funky Homo Sapien) perform the band’s first-ever single, “Clint Eastwood.”
Check out the videos below to see highlights from Ryan Gosling’s episode of “SNL,” including Gosling’s opening monologue, Gorillaz’s musical performances, and all of the characters visiting the “Weekend Update” desk.
“Saturday Night Live” Cold Open
Ryan Gosling Monologue
“SNL” Weekend Update Clips
Gorillaz Musical Performances
Some of the Best “SNL” Sketches
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