Saturday Night Live's 52nd season premiered on Saturday night, featuring New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as the host. Brunson, who led the Knicks to their first championship in decades, was a natural choice to host alongside musical guest KATSEYE.
Athletes have had mixed success as hosts of SNL, with some displaying comedy chops and others struggling to find their footing. Brunson's performance was well-received, particularly in his first big challenge: the monologue. He was aided by a group of teammates, including Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined him in the opening sketch.
Brunson also appeared in a number of other sketches, including a parody of "High School Musical" and a "Shark Tank" parody featuring a pair of glasses that alert the wearer to potential distractions. The NBA star's comedic skills were on display in these sketches, which were well-received by the audience.
While Brunson may not have reached the level of some previous athlete hosts, such as Peyton Manning, he was widely praised for his performance. His ability to hold his own in a variety of comedic situations made him a standout host, and he is likely to be remembered as one of the better athlete hosts in SNL history.
The show's opening episode was a strong start to the season, and Brunson's hosting duties added to the excitement.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
