Mikey Madison's 'SNL' hosting debut falls flat despite Oscar win, Morgan Wallen performs new singles

Mikey Madison hosts SNL after her Oscar win for 'Anora', but her debut is underwhelming despite strong music sets.

Oscar-winning actress Mikey Madison hosted Saturday Night Live on 29 March 2025, fresh off her Best Actress win for Anora. Despite her rising star status, Madison's SNL debut was met with lukewarm reviews, with sketches described as safe and mostly forgettable.

The night opened with a Signal group chat spoof that wove in the week’s real-life White House scandal, cleverly involving high school-style gossip and national secrets. Though the premise was timely, it didn’t deliver the punch viewers expected. Madison’s monologue touched on her film roles, personal quirks, and her twin brother, offering mild humour but little charisma.

Throughout the show, recurring cast member Marcello Hernández featured heavily, including in sketches like Acting Teacher 2, Jury Duty, and Spring Break, though his exaggerated delivery wore thin by the episode’s end. Madison appeared in several sketches but never truly stood out, a surprising outcome for a recent Academy Award winner.

Musical guest Morgan Wallen returned to the SNL stage, performing two singles: "I'm the Problem" and "Just in Case". His performances were polished, though his past controversies continue to linger in public discourse.

Weekend Update tackled Signalgate and pop culture hot topics, with Colin Jost and Michael Che exchanging edgy jokes. Standout moments included Devon Walker’s TikTok satire and Ashley Padilla's eccentric turn as Joann Fabrics.

Other sketches included a mobster with failed stand-up dreams, a surreal midwife cameo by Bowen Yang, and a Squidward-inspired SpongeBob sketch featuring Madison. 

Despite the hype, Madison’s SNL outing did not match the momentum of her cinematic achievements. With two more episodes in the season’s stretch, fans hope the next hosts will bring sharper writing and stronger laughs.