Ryan Gosling’s Saturday Night Live monologue was unexpectedly upstaged this weekend by a surprise guest: Harry Styles. The Grammy-winning musician appeared in the audience during Gosling’s opening remarks, just one week before he is scheduled to host and serve as musical guest on the March 14th episode.
Gosling, promoting his upcoming sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, acknowledged Styles from the stage, asking, “Is that… Harry Styles? What are you doing here, man?” Styles responded that he was there to observe and “receive a feel for it” ahead of his own hosting gig, prompting a playful rebuke from Gosling about his “coolness” becoming a distraction.
The interruption continued as the camera repeatedly focused on Styles throughout Gosling’s monologue. At one point, Gosling jokingly lamented that his new film was being dubbed “Project Harry Styles.” He also found himself performing a rendition of Styles’ hit song, “Sign of the Times,” accompanied by the SNL cast dressed as aliens, before transitioning into his own song, “I’m Just Ken” from the film Barbie.
Styles’ appearance came shortly after the release of his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, on Friday, marking his first album release in four years.
This weekend’s episode also featured a cold open addressing international tensions. Colin Jost, impersonating Pete Hegseth, delivered a satirical take on the United States’ approach to conflict with Iran, stating, “We’re treating Iran like a breathalyzer in my car and blowing it the hell up.” Ashley Padilla portrayed former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who quipped, “I didn’t get fired, I self-deported,” referencing her recent reassignment.
Gosling’s monologue also included a self-deprecating joke about his frequent appearances on SNL. He mistakenly believed he was being inducted into the show’s “five-timers club,” only to be corrected by cast member Mikey Day, reminding him it was his fourth time hosting. Gosling previously hosted the show in 2015, 2017, and 2024, with an additional cameo appearance in April 2024.
Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and based on the novel by Andy Weir, is set to release on March 20. The film stars Gosling alongside Sandra Hüller.
Styles will follow recent hosts including Connor Storrie, Disappointing Bunny, Amy Poehler, Sabrina Carpenter, Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, Glen Powell, Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor, Ariana Grande, Finn Wolfhard, Teyana Taylor and Alexander Skarsgard, who have all hosted season 51 of SNL.
