Ryan Gosling couldn’t stop laughing on last night’s SNL, which was refreshing coming from a serious actor who has the most earnest memes in pop culture. The women of SNL were on point in nearly every episode, impressions were minimal allowing some new characters to emerge, and a fellow Canadian helped Gosling warm up the crowd. See how it all went down last night, below.
The Best
“Donald and Melania Trump Christmas Cold Open”
Spend Christmas with the Trumps and try to ignore the xenophobia and racism. Taran Killam’s impression of Donald Trump hasn’t lost its luster.
“Ryan Gosling Canada Monologue”
Fellow Canadian Mike Myers joins Gosling for a song-filled monologue. The boys let their maple flag fly.
“Settl”
Go on “tons of ok dates” with the app Settl — because you’re not giving up, you’re settling up.
“Close Encounter”
Kate McKinnon’s alien abductee had a rough time in that spaceship. Gosling can’t keep a straight face, and the word “coot-coot” gets used more than once.
“Santa Baby”
Sexually-charged Santa is the theme of the evening, kicking off with this Pulp Fiction-style twist on the holiday.
“Birthday Party”
Aidy Bryant’s Melanie goes gaga for her friend Taylor’s dad (Gosling), and pulls a Chris Farley after seeing his chest tattoo. Who wouldn’t?
“Hometown Bar”
Kyle Mooney’s drunk townie harasses Gosling during an interview in a bar. Dances are danced. Songs are sung. Shirts come off (not the one you’re hoping for). This one drags, but stick around for the sweet moves.
“Santa & the Elves”
Santa’s pervy elves are at it again, begging to be spanked and trussed up like a holiday turkey.
The Worst
“Weekend Update”
Way to underuse your former host, “Weekend Update.” Cecily Strong plays a ditzy reporter who has a thing for Colin Jost . . . and then I kind of checked out for the rest.
“Nespresso”
I’m always into Bobby Moynihan’s Danny DeVito, here vocalizing the running dialogue in our heads while watching that George Clooney Nespresso commercial. But a joke that largely relies on impressions in a digital sketch and needs bigger audience interaction doesn’t quite cut it for more than a chuckle.
“The Wiz”
Gosling’s Scarecrow is the accidental white boy on The Wiz. Nothing terrible, but nothing amazing.
Musical Guest: Leon Bridges