The Academy Awards just lost Kevin Hart as host of the 2019 broadcast. So the search for a new host is on, and Saturday Night Live was ready. "Who will risk everything for the chance to gain nothing?" Matt Damon hosted SNL's December 15 show, and played Chris Hemsworth and Matthew McConaughey in the "Oscar Host Auditions" sketch. Check it out:
So much yes. Saturday Night Live excels at mock auditions, so this was right up its alley. This was the final episode of 2018, so they got it in just in time. Every impression is pretty much dead-on, with host Matt Damon certainly holding his own next to the SNL pros.
Matt Damon's impression of his Interstellar co-star Matthew McConaughey was scarily perfect. But I'm fond of the tradition Damon is now building of playing Asgardian brothers. You'll recall Matt Damon's cameo in Thor: Ragnarok, playing Loki in a theater production. This time, he plays Thor actor Chris Hemsworth. The impression could've used more work -- Hemsworth is more charming, and not really that low-key -- but I'll take a (literal) wink to Thor: Ragnarok any day.
The Oscars sketch also included a pre-taped appearance from Pete Davidson as Bohemian Rhapsody and Mr. Robot star Rami Malek. That stare! Spot on. Davidson made his own headlines earlier on Saturday after posting a very disturbing Instagram post, then deleting his entire account. In addition to this sketch, Davidson also showed up live to introduce the musical guests. But thankfully he took it easy, since it sounds like he could use some time away.
The Oscars sketch has several standouts. I'm particularly fond of Aidy Bryant's Hannah Gadsby and Melissa Villaseñor's Sarah Silverman. The video ends with SNL favorite Kate McKinnon as Ellen DeGeneres, taking a little shot at Kevin Hart for his past comments that were not exactly supportive of openly gay people -- like both McKinnon and DeGeneres.
Watch more sketches from Matt Damon's episode on SNL's YouTube. The black-and-white "It's A Wonderful Trump Cold Open" is getting a lot of attention, but there are plenty of others to check out.
At this point, the 2019 Oscars does not have a host, and no one seems very eager to step into that role. For my money, they should indeed go without a host. Just have some big Hugh Jackman-esque opening musical number with a big ensemble, then go straight into presenting awards. No one would mind if the show was at least half an hour shorter.
The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Academy Awards air Sunday, February 24, 2019 on ABC. Saturday Night Live Season 44 will return in early 2019 on NBC. Here's what else we can look forward to watching in midseason 2019.
