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Saturday, March 14, 2026

'SNL' mocks Trump over rising gas prices in cold open

March 14, 2026
'SNL' mocks Trump over rising gas prices in cold open

"Saturday Night Live" is taking on rising gas prices − andTimothée Chalamet's ballet takes.

USA TODAY

The sketch show kicked off its March 14 episode with a cold open featuringa family of four filling up at a gas stationand struggling with the cost, promptingPresident Donald Trump, played byJames Austin Johnson, to enter.

"Hi, it's me,Donald Trump," he said, addressing the audience as the family remained frozen behind him. "You might remember me from such campaign promises as 'lower gas prices' and 'no more wars.' Psych! We love to make promises, because a promise is just a lie that hasn't happened yet. But now it has, and gas costs like a million, billion dollars a gallon."

Referencing the music ofHarry Styles, the evening's "SNL" host, Johnson's Trump added, "The stock market is going in one direction: Down." He also explained gas prices are "very high because of war with Iran, which is where they make gas. I wish someone had told me that."

The cold open also referenced Chalamet'scontroversial recent remarksthat "no one cares about" ballet or opera anymore. The "Marty Supreme" actor made the comments during a discussion about keeping movie theaters alive.

"We will win this war because Iran is old and nobody likes them," Johnson's Trump said. "Iran is like ballet and opera, and we're Timmy Chalamet."

Is that good?Harry Styles' new album is both adventurous and puzzling

Colin Jost'sSecretary of Defense Pete Hegsethalso appeared in the opening sketch, entering the scene by stepping out of a car while cans of beer spilled out.

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"If you're wondering why I was in the back seat of this random family's car, I'll tell you the same thing I say when people ask about our plans for Iran: I don't know," he said.

Jost as Hegseth went on to complain that the media was "using what I do and say to make me look like a fool."

Styles hosted the March 14 episode of "SNL," on which he also served as musical guest. The Grammy-winning singer had not performed double duty on "SNL" since 2019.

The United States' war with Iran has been a focus in each of the past three cold opens on "SNL." The show's Feb. 28 episode aired the same day the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, leadingJohnson's Trumpto announce that the strikes were intended to "cause immeasurable fear, rage and chaos in the 'SNL' writer's room." The sketch implied "SNL" intended to begin that week's episode by tackling the State of the Union instead.

Last week, Jost as Hegseth also declared in an opening sketch that "we're treating Iran like the breathalyzer in my car and blowing it the hell up."

'I self-deported':'SNL' mocks Kristi Noem's firing in cold open

Who's hosting 'SNL' next?

"SNL" will return with new episodes on April 4 with host Jack Black and musical guest Jack White.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL' cold open mocks Trump over rising gas prices

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Harry Styles jokes about queerbaiting on 'SNL,' kisses Ben Marshall

March 14, 2026
Harry Styles jokes about queerbaiting on 'SNL,' kisses Ben Marshall

Harry Stylesis back on "Saturday Night Live," and he's making light of thosequeerbaitingallegations.

USA TODAY

The Grammy-winning singer, 32, returnedto host the sketch showfor itsMarch 14 episode, for which he also served as the musical guest. "I wasn't sure if I wouldhost again, but I couldn't resist when I heard they booked my favorite-ever musical guest," he quipped.

Styles went on to address the fact that he has taken time off since finishing his last tour. While reflecting on recent years of his career, he said, "People seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing, and some people accused me of something called queerbaiting."

But, Styles added while jokingly adopting a voice to sound like a frustrated teenager, "Did it ever occur to you that maybe you don't know everything about me, Dad?"

'SNL' cold open:President Trump mocked over rising gas prices

Harry Styles during promos for "Saturday Night Live" on March 10, 2026.

Queerbaiting is aterm that has been applied to celebritieswho use queer aesthetics but don't identify as a part of that community. Styles has been accused of queerbaiting because of his bold fashion choices, including a 2020 Vogue cover where he wore a lace ballgown.

Harry Styles accused of queerbaiting:What is that – and why does it matter?

On "SNL," Styles joked he learned during his break from music that he is "tremendously boring" and acknowledged he has taken up jogging.

"I don't run to be interesting," he said. "I do it for the feeling it gives me, that runner's high. It's just amazing. Watermelon sugar high, runner's high, and if that doesn't do it for you, I also love ecstasy.

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"As a British man who spent a lot of his life in the public eye, I can assure you there's something nice about being boring. It's better than the alternative," he said, before showing a photo ofPrince Andrew following his recent arreston suspicion of misconduct in public life.

Styles also said that despite his new album being titled "Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally," he doesn't actually want to "kiss all the time," which disappointed cast members Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman. When Ben Marshall entered, though, the two shared a kiss on the lips.

"Now that's queerbaiting," Styles joked.

'SNL' reveals next host:This star is set to join five-timers club

Styles hosted "SNL" one week after appearing onthe March 7 episode hosted by Ryan Gosling. Styles showed up for a surprise cameo during the "Project Hail Mary" actor's monologue, the premise of which was that Gosling was distracted by Styles upstaging him by sitting in the front row and drawing everyone's attention.

"I'm hosting next week, and it's been a while, so I just wanted to watch, get a feel for it," Styles said.

Gosling returned the favor by making a cameo during Styles' episode to help introduce one of his musical performances.

Contributing: David Oliver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Harry Styles makes 'SNL' queerbaiting jokes, kisses Ben Marshall

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'SNL' reveals next host is this star set to join five-timers club

March 14, 2026
'SNL' reveals next host is this star set to join five-timers club

Live from New York, it's a meeting of the Jacks.

USA TODAY

Jack Blackhas been tapped as the next host of "Saturday Night Live" forthe sketch show'sApril 4 episode, NBC announced on March 14. He will be joined by Jack White as the musical guest.

This will be Black's fifth time serving as "SNL" host, meaning the comedian will join the show's famed "five-timers club," consisting of stars who have hosted that many times. His latest episode will come almost one year to the day since he last hosted "SNL" on April 5, 2025.

Prior to last year's episode, Black had not hosted "SNL" since 2005. This year's appearance will be tied to his latest film, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie."

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More 'SNL':Harry Styles jokes about queerbaiting, kisses Ben Marshall

Marcello Hernández (from left), Heidi Gardner, Jack Black and Kenan Thompson during Jack Black's "SNL" monologue on April 5, 2025.

"SNL" is coming off a series of three consecutive episodes from February to March.Harry Stylesperformed double duty as the host and musical guest on March 14. Before the Grammy-winning singer took the stage,Ryan Goslinghosted with musical guest Gorillaz, and on Feb. 28,"Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storriemade his hosting debut with musical guest Mumford & Sons.

The hosts of "SNL" Season 51 have so far included a mix of returning stars like Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler and Miles Teller and first-time hosts like Sabrina Carpenter, Nikki Glaser and Finn Wolfhard.

'SNL' cold open:President Trump mocked over rising gas prices

Season 51 kicked off in October after acast shake-upover the summer, which saw the departure of starsHeidi Gardner,Ego Nwodim,Michael Longfellow,Emil WakimandDevon Walker. The show went through another big change halfway through the season, withBowen Yang exitingafter theAriana Grande-hosted holiday episode on Dec. 20. The "Wicked" star received ameta sendoff in a sketchabout an airport employee's last day of work.

"SNL" hasn't announced its full schedule for the remainder of Season 51, though the show typically airs its season finale in mid-May.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL' next host and musical guest after Harry Styles revealed

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