A Night of Nostalgia, Surprise Guests and Bold Sketches

Glen Powell Takes the Weekend Live Stage

November 16, 2025 — HOLR breaks down the story here as actor Glen Powell stepped into the hosting spotlight for the first time on Saturday Night Live. Known for his film roles, Powell turned the spotlight on a personal story — bringing his longtime UPS driver to the show — and embraced the full comic tilt of the live sketch world.

A Sentimental Monologue with a Big Surprise

Powell’s opening monologue recounted a key moment in his rise: the time he learned he’d host SNL and snapped a celebratory selfie with his UPS driver, Mitch. Years later, Powell surprised the driver live on stage, recreated the selfie, and noted how waiting and persistence paid off: “The best things in life don’t happen overnight.” The moment resonated as sincere, charming and memorable.

Sketches That Went Big (and Weird)

The episode brought back fan favorites and cut-loose skits:

• The return of MacGruber (played by Will Forte) landed with absurdity, tying into a fictional “Epstein files” subplot for maximum comic chaos.
• An “AI Photos” sketch took a family’s old images and warped them via an app to surreal effect — missing heads, nuclear blasts and very odd dogs.
• A bachelor-party sketch featuring Powell as the groom assembled one longtime friend plus surprise stand-up attic vibes, creating a weird but fun energy.

Standout Moments and Rising Stars

Powell held the stage well, but the episode also doubled as a breakout showcase for cast member Ashley Padilla. Her cold-open turn as a White House Press Secretary and later sketch performances garnered attention as one of the stronger cast nights in a while.

What This Means for SNL’s Season

Hosting debuts can go many ways — but Powell’s edged toward success by blending sincerity with full-on absurdity. The episode balanced personal warm-ups and sketch risk-taking. With the return of a cult character like MacGruber and several high-energy bits, the show reminded viewers it can still surprise.

Final Word

From heartfelt monologue to explosive sketch endings, this episode of SNL landed on multiple fronts. Glen Powell arrived, brought his story full circle, and made his mark — while the cast stretched out in unexpected ways. If you skipped it, you may want to catch up — this one might be a highlight of the season.