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For 50 years, the Saturday Night Live set in New York City’s Rockefeller Center has been a podium for celebrities and comedians to mythologise themselves through humour. Over the weekend, Paul Mescal joined the exclusive club of SNL hosts by making his debut on the late-night sketch show. Taking to the stage in a sheer, bicep-hugging v-neck sweater, Mescal chose his opening monologue to set the record straight.
Mescal proved to be acutely aware of the conversation that follows him throughout the programme’s duration—his reported penchant for sprinting away from dates, fashion game and a devoted fan base that hopes to have him crush their heads like a watermelon between his two gorgeous thighs, as cast member Martin Herlihy told him during the episode.
But in the stand-up style introduction, the 28-year-old instead poked fun at his preciousness over Ireland, his role as Lucius Maximus in Ridley Scott’s epic sequel Gladiator II and, most importantly, his love for shorts with a three-inch inseam.
“A lot of people ask if we wear kilts—no, that’s the Scottish,” said the County Kildare native. “Traditionally, the Irish wear short shorts,” he continued before breakout cast member, Marcello Hernandez, came out dressed in something ripped from Mescal’s closet.
Hernandez, who went viral earlier this year as the star of the much-memed ‘Domingo’ sketch, joined the actor in a light blue button-down tucked into cobalt Adidas shorts, not too dissimilar to the outfit Mescal wore to Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 show.
“What are you doing,” the Normal People star asked him. “I’m trying to be like you, man. You like what you see?” he asked while slapping his bare thighs. “Absolutely not,” Mescal joked before giving him style advice. “By the way, those are too short,” he added.
Elsewhere in the episode, Mescal paid homage to the double billing of Gladiator II and Wicked: Part One by offering up a musical rendition of the Roman Empire. In a breastplate and singing a Lin-Manuel Miranda-inspired rap, he treated Broadway fanatics by delivering his own take of the final high note in “Defying Gravity” while flying away from the Colosseum on a broomstick and wearing Elphaba’s black hat.
Another delight for fans came with Trisha Paytas’ surprise appearance. The beloved internet celebrity has been the subject of many spoofs, so it’s only fitting she be memorialised with a cameo appearance. However, we never for ones expected this team-up to eventuate.
Over the hour-long run, Mescal proved he was more than a “serious Hollywood actor”. He is a heartthrob with a sense of humour, making him all the more worthy of leading man status. In his honour, pour yourself a pint of Guinness, put on your tiniest pants and watch the episode, which is currently streaming, now.
Saturday Night Live is available to watch on BINGE.
