Jack Harlow Gives a First-Class Performance as Host and Musical Guest on ‘Saturday Night Live’

In his dual role as host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” Jack Harlow was one of the most energetic guests the show has seen in many episodes. He’s not yet ready for prime time as an actor, but the 24-year-old Kentucky-born-and-raised rapper brought an undeniable energy to the show.

He appeared in almost every skit – a rarity for presenters these days – and his confident but often self-deprecating demeanor influenced writers to provide sharp dialogue: the show clearly reflected Hollywood’s condescending portrayal on southern life and culture.

In a reality show skit Harlow played an exaggerated southern drawl as a bewildered groom at a Halloween night wedding with best man, played by Andrew Dismukes, who was dressed as a “Joe-ker” for the occasion. Despite protests from the bride (played by Heidi Gardner), the wedding guests vote on whether the “Joe-ker” can stay. (“Survivor” host Jeff Probst even showed up to decide.)

Justin Bieber announced as a musical guest on the next episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’.

The Strokes announced as musical guests on the next episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Another of the sketches focused on the poverty and addiction film genre, set in the context of an AA recovery meeting. Harlow played a reluctant assistant who is talked about revealing that he “always had a great idea for a Pixar movie”, an idea that involved suitcases and bouncing around the room until Tom Hanks bursts in with a cameo. Cecily Strong – in a scathing report on the series – played a hung-over woman with bleached hair, who reminds the audience that “movies about drug addicts have to have a song.” “The excerpt ends with a group (including Hanks) singing Harlow along to “Pack Yourself With Love.” Harlow also shined as a confused rider in the haunted elevator Cellblock 666, which Hanks portrayed as the King of Halloween, “David S. Pumpkins.”

Although Harlow has said he comes from a liberal background – he referenced his close friendship with Lil Nas X, the most outspoken gay artist in hip-hop history, during his opening monologue – perhaps the two sketches appear on the lateral line. Hollywood looks at the deep red state of America, especially at a time when there was such division in politics and culture.

Harlow also had a lot of fun as a handsome heartthrob and ladies’ man in many ways, from turning sexy as a bartender in a sketch with Bowen Yang to flirting with Whoopi Goldberg (played by Ego Nwodim) in a sketch on “The View” “, diving into the crowd during his monologue to grab the hand of an adoring young woman (“Michael,” he found when he asked her name). the camera and asking him where he could get “cocaine”. That willingness to laugh at himself has been a hallmark of his career: He appeared as a janitor in an “SNL” skit last year, when he was the musical guest; stars a small-time chef in the video for his breakout single “What’s Poppin.”

Harlow was all over Studio 8H last night, wearing a white outfit from “Saturday Night Fever” and summoning the spirit of John Travolta for “Lil Secret / First Class,” and performing “State Fair,” a play on her younger days without a hitch . “: “hate used to get me, now I just laugh”.

Harlow, who was named the 2021 Hitmaker of the Year, is coming off two No. 1 singles. 1 in the last 12 months – his own “First Class” and his partner with Lil Nas X, “Industry Baby” – and on Saturday night he came to play. With the possibility of being nominated for the 2023 Grammys (we’ll find out on November 15), this rising star can add a successful stint as host of “Saturday Night Live” to his resume.