Saturday Night Live Recap: Walton Goggins Hosts, Arcade Fire Rocks Studio 8H

As Saturday Night Live heads into the final stretch of its landmark 50th season, actor Walton Goggins made his hosting debut on May 10, bringing his signature charm and eccentric energy to Studio 8H. Musical duties were handled by Arcade Fire, making their sixth appearance on the iconic comedy stage.

🎭 Walton Goggins Shines in His SNL Hosting Debut

Known for his standout performances in The White Lotus (Season 3) and as the unforgettable Baby Billy Freeman in The Righteous Gemstones, Walton Goggins brought charisma and character to every sketch he touched.

His opening monologue played off his Southern roots, quirky filmography, and unexpected comedic timing. Whether portraying a sleazy politician or a chaotic game show host, Goggins felt right at home with the SNL cast.

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🎶 Arcade Fire Delivers High-Energy Performances

Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire took the stage with two energetic performances, showcasing why they remain one of the most dynamic live acts in music. Fresh off their recent tour and a featured spot in the “SNL50” concert special, the band delivered powerful renditions of tracks from their latest album.

Their return to SNL felt like a homecoming — a reminder of the band’s deep connection with the show, dating back to memorable appearances like 2013’s beloved sketch “New Cast Member or Arcade Fire?”

🎤 Cecily Strong Returns with a Fan-Favorite Impression

The episode also featured a welcome surprise: Cecily Strong returned to reprise her fan-favorite impression of Judge Jeanine Pirro. In a sketch lampooning the latest political headlines — including Donald Trump’s appointment of Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for D.C. — Strong hilariously sprayed Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth with red wine in true Pirro fashion.

Strong, who exited the show in 2022 after 11 seasons, reminded fans exactly why she’s one of the most beloved cast members in recent SNL history.

📰 Weekend Update and Must-Watch Sketches

“Weekend Update” featured several standout appearances, with co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che delivering sharp political punchlines, celebrity impressions, and absurdist character segments that have made the desk a centerpiece of SNL‘s success.

Other sketch highlights included:

• A twisted Southern courtroom parody starring Goggins

• A bizarre infomercial spoof with Ego Nwodim

• A sketch about a chaotic group therapy session that had even the cast breaking character

📺 Watch Highlights from the May 10 SNL Episode

Watch the best clips from the episode below:

• 🔹 Walton Goggins’ Opening Monologue

• 🔹 Arcade Fire’s Musical Performances

• 🔹 Cecily Strong’s Return as Jeanine Pirro

• 🔹 Full “Weekend Update” Segment

• 🔹 Top Sketches and Digital Shorts

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— howtowatch.com (@Howtowatch_com) May 21, 2025