Ryan Gosling Hosts As Harry Styles Guest Stars

Saturday Night Live is on a roll as it delivered another strong episode this week with host Ryan Gosling and surprise guest Harry Styles.

The most recent installment of the live sketch comedy show hit the ground running and kept a steady pace throughout the night. Here are some of this week’s highlights.

Ryan Gosling’s SNL Monologue

This is Gosling’s fourth time hosting Saturday Night Live, and it is arguably his best episode to date. During his monologue, he spotted Harry Styles, next week’s host, sitting in the audience. Taken by mock surprise, he asked the musician why he was there. Styles stated that he wanted to observe his performance so he could prepare. However, Gosling wasn’t ok with it. Throughout the entire monologue, he was distracted by the pop icon’s presence, and the camera crew even made him share a hilarious amount of screen time with him.

SNL’s Battle of the Riddles

Three cyclops (Gosling, Kenan Thompson, and Mikey Day) are searching for an unknown treasure that lurks behind a mysterious door. However, two guardians (Ashley Padilla and Veronica Slowikowska) explain how they must solve a riddle to unlock the vault. After the trio fails to solve a couple of super simple riddles, the women finally give up and offer them the key.

Gosling and the Pastry Factory

Gosling portrays a Willy Wonka-inspired character named McTreat. After a group of people arrive at his factory for a tour, he and his employees (Slowikowska and Day) are excited to show their fans around. Unfortunately, once the doors open, the factory workers, who are reminiscent of Oompa Loompas, have been killing themselves behind the scenes. According to the company’s handyman (Kenan Thompson), this was part of their species’ mating ritual. After conceiving, the males commit suicide so the females and their children have enough resources.

SNL’s Flops of the Night

While this was another strong episode for Saturday Night Live, there was a sketch that missed the mark and didn’t land as well as the others.

The Wedding Reception

A bride (Sarah Sherman) and groom (Day) are giving a speech at their wedding reception. During a toast, it was revealed that they had a tradition where the newlyweds must kiss if their guests tap their champagne glasses with a knife. Gosling portrays a creepy bystander who keeps trying to get the couple to kiss. Things got very awkward very quickly as the character even demanded that two siblings who were making a toast kiss.

Saturday Night Live airs new episodes Saturdays at 11:30 PM ET and 9:30 PM PT.