Brunson Takes the SNL Stage
Saturday Night Live launched its 52nd season on Saturday night, choosing New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as host. The NBA Finals MVP had guided the team to its first championship in decades, making him a Big Apple icon and a fitting pick for the New York City-based program. Musical guest KATSEYE also performed, a group the reviewer admitted not knowing but described as apparently massively popular.[S1]
Athletes have a mixed record when they take on SNL, with some showing comedic ability and others displaying the acting talent of a traffic cone. The first major test for Brunson was the monologue, which the reviewer called probably the hardest part of the job for a non-performer. Brunson handled it well, aided by teammates Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined him on stage.[S1]
Sketches and Overall Performance
Brunson also delivered a solid performance in his first sketch, playing an office worker who cannot accept that he missed throwing a wrapper into a trash can from across the room. Basketball references were plentiful, including a pre-taped parody of High School Musical. He also appeared in a Shark Tank spoof about entrepreneurs seeking backing for glasses that sound an alarm whenever the wearer looks at a woman's breasts, a weird premise the reviewer said often ends up hilarious.[S1]
The review concluded that Brunson will easily be remembered as one of the better athlete hosts, perhaps not at the level of Peyton Manning, whom the reviewer called the best athlete host of all time, but certainly capable. The piece suggested that if the Knicks win another championship, the show might invite him back.[S1]
