All-Star Brilliance: SNL's Night with Bad Bunny
Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny appear during the "Saturday Night Live" monologue on Oct. 21, 2023.
Photo : Will Heath/NBC
When it comes to delivering star-studded performances and sprinklings of humor, "Saturday Night Live" never disappoints. This past week, the limelight was on the Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny, also known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Apart from being the musical guest, he took up hosting duties for the evening, making it his third appearance on the show. Having previously graced the SNL stage in 2020 and 2021, the artist's current presence was amplified with the added charm of big names.
Mick Jagger appears in the "Telenovela" skit during "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 21, 2023.
Photo : Courtesy Photo
From Mick Jagger to Lady Gaga, the episode was rife with surprise appearances. Jagger, the 80-year-old rock icon, showcased his comedic side in two sketches - one where he plays a nun with peculiar interests and the other where he shares a light-hearted moment with Bad Bunny in a Spanish soap opera setting.
The show commenced on a political note, taking jabs at recent political events. A highlight was Mikey Day's portrayal of Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan, emphasizing his bewildered state after not receiving the GOP's full support for the Speaker of the House nomination despite having Donald Trump's backing. Comedic accents to this sketch were added by Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and a spot-on Donald Trump impression by James Austin Johnson.
Bad Bunny appears in the "Rap Battle" sketch during "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 21, 2023.
Photo : Courtest Photo
Bad Bunny's monologue exuded confidence as he addressed doubters who questioned his English-language capabilities. With wit and humor, he stated, "I can do whatever I want. Order McDonald's in English, even have sex in English, though Spanish is preferred." Pedro Pascal, a previous SNL host, made an appearance during this monologue, offering friendly advice that was met with Bad Bunny's cheeky responses.
Throughout the night, Bad Bunny's versatility was evident. From portraying a Burt's Bees employee to the King of Spain, he kept the audience engaged. A hilarious pre-recorded segment showed him dressed as Shrek, pitching a unique film idea that left everyone in splits.
Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal appear during the "Protective Mom 2" sketch during "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 21, 2023.
Photo:WIll Heath/NBC
For fans of Bad Bunny's music, the evening was a treat. Introduced by Lady Gaga, his first performance was the freshly released "Un Preview." Later, Pascal took on the duty of introducing the artist's second act, "Monaco."
The episode's humor wasn't confined to sketches alone. The WWE-inspired promotional video featured a playful face-off between Bad Bunny and his alter ego, Benito. James Austin Johnson, playing a wrestling announcer, added to the hilarity of the scene.
Weekend Update, anchored by Colin Jost, took its traditional route of satirical commentary, addressing recent political events and pop culture topics, including mentions of Britney Spears' book and Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir.
Bad Bunny appears in "The Age of Discovery" skit during "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 21, 2023.
Photo : Courtesy Photo
Capping off the evening, Bad Bunny's current success was highlighted. The artist's achievements - from being the top artist on Spotify for three consecutive years to his performance at Coachella 2023 - are testament to his global stardom.
For those tracking Bad Bunny's journey, his love for music remains paramount. In an interview with TIME, he expressed, "Music is always number one," acknowledging opportunities in acting but prioritizing his musical roots. As SNL wrapped up another episode, the lines between music, comedy, and stardom blurred, giving viewers a night to remember.
