It’s always a lovely treat when aSaturday Night Livealum returns to their old stomping grounds to try their hand at hosting. Last night, MacGruber, better known as actor and writerWill Forte, brought his sweet and quirky self back to Studio 8H for a night of weird voices, creepy characters, and overall excellence alongside Eurovision winnerMåneskin. Though it might be hard to believe, Forte never thought he’d end up in the entertainment industry. The California native told The Hollywood Reporter on an episode of theAwards Chatterpodcast that upon graduating from UCLA, he interned at a financial company and wrote scripts in his spare time with his friend. Forte dreamed of working in comedy, but, like most people trying to break into the industry, he had no idea where to begin. He found his footing at legendary improv hotspot The Groundlings, where he met like-minded people and gained the confidence to try out some of his wacky characters and ideas, including Tim Calhoun, an impression of singer Joni Mitchell, and a street performer who’s covered in gold face paint. (All of which he would later do in hisSNLaudition.)
In addition to performing, Forte is a skilled comedy writer. One of his first jobs in the industry was working for one of his heroes,David Letterman. Forte then bounced around different writers’ rooms of several short-lived shows before securing steady work writing for hit series3rd Rock From the SunandThat ‘70s Show. During this time,Lorne Michaelsasked him to audition forSaturday Night Livebased on what he’s seen of him at The Groundlings. Forte flew to New York, auditioned, and quickly heard he got the job. But, he now had a major decision to make: keep his steady writing job onThat ‘70s Showor move to New York forSNL? “The main thing was, I just was terrified,” Forte said, adding, “I don’t want to blow it, I don’t want to have this dream not be there [anymore].” After initially turning downSNL, he realized he made the wrong decision. After a second audition, Forte joined the cast in 2002, where he would stay for 8 splendid and zany years.
If you followed Forte’sSNLcareer, then you know it’s filled with absurd and odd characters that only he could bring to life.Among his roster of lovable oddballsare The Falconer, singer Clancy T. Bacherlatt, Tim Calhoun, and of course, MacGruber! ThisMacGyverparody character became such a cult favorite that it spun-off into its own movie in 2010.MacGruberwas directed by The Lonely Island memberJorma Tacconeand starred Forte in the titular role alongside hisSNLcastmateKristen Wiigas Vicki St. Elmo. ThoughMacGruberdidn’t perform well at the box office, it remains one of the most beloved movies for hardcore comedy fans. Its following is so intense, that it led to the development of the recent Peacock series of the same name thatbrings back Wiig, Forte, and several others from the movie. In addition toSNLand hisMacGruberprojects, Forte is also known for his whip-smart writing and acting in the apocalypse comedy seriesThe Last Man on Earth, in which he was nominated for an Emmy, as well voicingAbraham LincolninThe Lego Movieand acting alongsideBruce DerninAlexander Payne’s Oscar-nominated dramaNebraska. This Forte fella is quite talented and busy!
Let’s revisit some of the best moments from the January 22 episode ofSaturday Night Live. Live from New York, it’s Will Forte!
RELATED:Will Forte’s Best ‘SNL’ Moments, From MacGruber to The Falconer and Everything In Between
5. Cinema Classics:Gaslight
In the latest episode of the hit PBS series Cinema Classics, host Reese De’What (Kenan Thompson) takes us back to 1944 to revisit the iconic mystery movieGaslightstarring Ingrid Bergman (Kate McKinnon) and Charles Boyer (Will Forte). This film tells the story of the innocent Paula who is slowly going insane thanks to her husband Gregory’s continuous odd behavior and manipulations. Sure, it might be easy for him to get away with a few minor modifications, but does hereallythink his wife is dumb enough to believe that her book is actually a rat?
4. Kid Klash
Life isn’t covered in rose petals and candy. It’s filled with unexpected obstacles and hard truths! This colorful Nickelodeon game show parodyKid Klashis straight out of the ‘90s and hosted by the nasally and seemingly benign Mark Zazz (Forte). Mark welcomes the energetic youngster Tatum (Aidy Bryant) to the show to try to beat the clock to win a big prize in a number of messy activities. The first challenge is to find the white flag in the vat (and I mean avat) of whipped cream. Unfortunately, Tatum is unable to find the flag and accepts the fact that she has to head back home. But wait one second… she’s not going anywhere until she looks her family in the eye and finds that flag!
3. Will Forte Monologue
He’s back! The Forte-meister returned to his comedy roots to make his hosting debut. The episode was one of the best of the season (if notthebest).The Ingraham AngleCold-Open spoofwas sharp (“No thanks,Lin-Manuel.”), Weekend Update featured the return ofnewbieSarah Sherman’s roast Jost segment, and above all, Forte crushed it. Come to think of it, isn’t it a little weird it took himthislong to host? Forte was filled with bitter nostalgia as he mentioned all of his former castmates that hosted before him likeBill Hader,Fred Armisen,Andy Samberg, and Kristen Wiig. Andspeakingof Wiig, theSNLliving legend snuck onto the stage to support her good friend and kick off the night. Let’s hope this is the first of many episodes hosted by Forte.
2. Jackie & Clancy
Feeling a bit bummed out at your boring playlist? It’s just the same songsoverandoversinging about the same old things. Well, fear not, friend! Everyone’s favorite country music duo Clancy T. Bacherlatt (Forte) and Jackie Snad (Wiig) are back with brand-new tunes about their four favorite song topics: Model T cars, toddlers, spaceships, and of course, jars of beer. After listening to this catchy album, your faith will be renewed and your hatred of toddlers will be restored!
1. MacGruber: Coronavirus
MacGruber! He’s got a lot on his plate and he’s gonna be late. MacGruber! Some time has passed and now he refuses to wear a mask. MacGruber! He’s looked at the news and now he’s got some alt-right views. He’sMacGruber! The return of Forte’s MacGruber character was expected and was further proof that his antics never get old. This time, what’s distracting him from diffusing the bomb is his growing fixation on the alt-right political agenda. His sidekicks Vicki St. Elmo (Wiig) and Piper (Ryan Phillippe) are understandably worried about their leader’s idea of safety during the pandemic.
Next week,Willem Dafoeheads to Studio 8H to make his hosting debut alongside musical guestKaty Perry.
