Paul Mescal knows how to make a girl laugh

Our favorite hot sad boy also knows how to make us laugh. Who else could we be talking about but him? The one who falls asleep on a Zoom call with his faraway love in Normal People. The one who films an entire vacation with his daughter in Aftersun. The one who, after bulking up, broke the internet with jokes about his famous thighs squeezed into "very short shorts" and took on monkeys, rhinos, and emperors in the sequel Gladiator 2. For him, the one and only Paul Mescal, it’s time to show a completely different side. And no, it’s not for a new movie or series, but for the sketches of Saturday Night Live.

Paul Mescal on Saturday Night Live

Hosting the December 7th episode, the actor from Maynooth, Ireland, revealed an unexpectedly comedic side that was exactly what audiences wanted from him right now. After so much intensity and roles filled with a certain gravitas, Paul Mescal shed his mantle as a dramatic performer and dove into the ultimate comedy program, showcasing remarkable versatility while playing off the dramatic roles that have marked his career so far. He had no qualms joking about nude scenes or emotional moments—or even emotional nude scenes—admitting that his resume lacks a bit of healthy comedy. "Is being sad and sexy a burden?" someone jokingly asked him in an interview. "No, it’s a privilege," he replied.

The show’s opening featured a ecstatic Paul Mescal. He was genuinely thrilled to be in front of the SNL audience, sharing some Irish stereotypes that he humorously exaggerated (or didn’t). There was a childlike joy—unexpected from the actor—as he stepped out of his usual brooding and melancholic roles with ease, as also demonstrated during interviews on the Gladiator 2 press tour (don’t miss his quirky duet with the owner of the paulmescalpics account) or in his over-the-top appearance on Chicken Shop Date with Amelia Dimoldenberg.

How to Make a Girl Laugh: Go to SNL, Be Paul Mescal

The funniest part, however, is the undercurrent of awkwardness he showcased, which had already surfaced in his interview with Dimoldenberg and was amplified to the max on SNL. It’s like seeing a normally uptight friend trying to act cool. Or like dads attempting to tell trendy jokes. There he was, playing an insecure actor in a commercial for an Italian restaurant or gushing over his Spotify Wrapped, which featured an absurdly obscure musician and podcaster in first place. He even performed as a not-so-sexy pirate in one sketch and tried to become the daddy of a trio—a title that we all know belongs to his colleague Pedro Pascal, who has been one of SNL’s best hosts in recent years.

Gladiator 2: The Musical Version

Among all the sketches, the masterpiece of the night was undoubtedly the Gladiator 2 musical. Following Ariana Grande’s recent appearance on SNL to promote her projects, the program continues to serve as a platform to hype upcoming films and shows. Mescal’s presence on the show likely aimed to keep interest high for Ridley Scott’s blockbuster, which premiered in late November. Currently ranked third at the U.S. box office—trailing far behind Wicked and recently overtaken by the animated sequel Moana 2—Paul Mescal brought Gladiator - Twosical to life. The protagonist, Lucius, engages in a wild dance routine, culminating in an ending we won’t spoil for anyone who hasn’t yet seen the sketch. What better genre than a musical to prove you fear nothing? Paul Mescal, you’ve won our hearts once again. Now we can only hope to see you in a comedy. Or a musical. Or a musical comedy.