Bad Bunny kicked off Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” with an engaging bilingual monologue that included mentions of his upcoming performance as the Super Bowl halftime show headliner, as well as the conservative backlash following the announcement.
“I’m really thrilled about it,” he expressed regarding the opportunity. “I think everyone is excited, even Fox News.”
Following this, “SNL” showcased a montage of segments from the conservative channel, which has targeted the NFL for choosing a Spanish-speaking artist, highlighting Bad Bunny’s recent statements about his decisions on tour due to fears related to his fans and ICE. Rather than airing clips of Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity, “SNL” cleverly edited the conservative anchors’ remarks to create a humorous line: “Bad Bunny is my favorite artist, and he should run for president.”
Bad Bunny then shared some heartfelt sentiments in Spanish, thanking those who are eagerly anticipating his Super Bowl appearance. “Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the United States who have worked hard to create opportunities,” he said in his native language. “This isn’t just a personal victory; it’s a victory for all of us. No one can take away our contributions or erase our presence in this country.”
Switching back to English, he playfully remarked: “If you didn’t get what I just said, you’ve got four months to learn it!”
The monologue also had a surprise cameo from “SNL” favorite Jon Hamm, whom Bad Bunny playfully referred to as “Juan Jamón.” Bad Bunny introduced a clip featuring Hamm enjoying one of his recent concerts before cutting to Hamm in the Studio 8H crowd wearing a button-up shirt, sunglasses, and a bucket hat.
Following a landmark 50th season, “SNL” made its return on October 4 with Bad Bunny as the host alongside musical guest Doja Cat. Upcoming episodes will feature Amy Poehler hosting on October 11 with musical act Role Model, and Sabrina Carpenter taking on both hosting and musical guest duties on October 18.
In preparation for the new season, “SNL” introduced several new cast members and writers following the departure of multiple longstanding cast members. Heidi Gardner left the series after an eight-season run, while Ego Nwodim announced her exit after seven seasons. Other absentees include Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and John Higgins from Please Don’t Destroy. Meanwhile, Martin Herlihy transitioned to the writing team and Ben Marshall has joined the main cast. New faces include Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Tommy Brennan.
Check out Bad Bunny’s monologue below.
