Finn Wolfhard Hosts Saturday Night Live With ‘Stranger Things’ Reunion
Finn Wolfhard made his hosting debut on ‘Saturday Night Live’ this weekend with a monologue that addressed his transition from child stardom to adulthood. The actor took the stage at Studio 8H just weeks after the series finale of ‘Stranger Things’ aired to massive viewership numbers. He wasted no time joking about the unique experience of going through puberty while four hundred million people watched him grow up on television. Wolfhard noted that the hit Netflix series began filming when he was only twelve years old. He celebrated his current status as a twenty-three-year-old man who is finally ready to move on to the next phase of his career.
The monologue took a nostalgic turn when Wolfhard was joined on stage by his longtime co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin. The audience erupted in applause as the trio stood together to mark the end of an era for the science fiction phenomenon. They shared a toast to their shared history and joked about their future prospects in the entertainment industry now that they are no longer kids. Matarazzo and McLaughlin playfully chimed in about the public’s obsession with their changing appearances over the last decade. The reunion set a celebratory tone for the rest of the night and highlighted the close bond between the actors who spent their formative years working together in Atlanta.
The episode continued to lean into the ‘Stranger Things’ connection with a pre-taped sketch that imagined various spinoffs for the beloved characters. One segment featured Wolfhard reprising his role as Mike Wheeler in a parody titled ‘Mike in Manhattan’ which positioned the character as a writer living in New York City. The clip mimicked the style of ‘Sex and the City’ and showed Mike navigating dating and career struggles in the big city. Matarazzo and McLaughlin also appeared in the sketch as their characters Dustin and Lucas to offer advice to their friend. The sketch poked fun at the endless appetite for franchise extensions in the current television landscape.
Another segment addressed the wild internet conspiracy theories that emerged following the show’s controversial finale on New Year’s Eve. The sketch depicted the characters discovering that the events of the series were actually an illusion created by the villain Vecna. Kenan Thompson made a hilarious appearance dressed as Eleven to deliver a confused explanation about a secret ninth episode set in Iceland. This meta-commentary provided a laugh for dedicated fans who have spent weeks dissecting the ambiguous ending of the show online. It was a clever way for the writers to acknowledge the intense discourse surrounding the conclusion of the saga.
Wolfhard proved his versatility throughout the night by committing fully to various character roles outside of his famous persona. He appeared in a returning sketch called ‘Snack Homiez’ alongside musical guest A$AP Rocky where they played podcast hosts obsessed with internet slang. The hosting gig marks a significant milestone for Wolfhard as he pivots to adult roles and focuses on his music career. His comfort on the live stage suggests a promising future for the young actor beyond the confines of Hawkins.
Tell us what you thought about the surprise reunion and the sketches in the comments.