Jenna Ortega celebrated her Saturday Night Live hosting debut by showcasing her impeccable comedic skills and was joined by surprise guest and Wednesday co-star, Fred Armisen.
The 20-year-old actress, who was recently spotted keeping it casual as she arrived to SNL rehearsals, had the audience hooked starting with her humorous opening monologue.
The former Disney channel actress appeared on the SNL stage and stopped under the bright lights, wearing a fitted black ensemble paired with sheer black tights along with a fashionable black cape adorned with a red flower.
The star flashed a smile as she was given a warm and excited welcome from the live crowd that applauded the star.
During the opening monologue, Jenna gushed how she was the ‘youngest host of the season,’ and revealed she been working in the entertainment industry since she was a kid after being discovered through a video her mother shared on Facebook.
Big debut! Jenna Ortega, 20, celebrated her Saturday Night Live hosting debut by showcasing her impeccable comedic skills and was joined by surprise guest and Wednesday co-star, Fred Armisen
Comedic skills: The Wednesday actress had the audience hooked starting with her humorous opening monologue
Stylish: The former Disney channel actress appeared on the SNL stage and stopped under the bright lights, wearing a fitted black ensemble paired with sheer black tights along with a fashionable black cape adorned with a red flower
Surprise! During the opening monologue, Jenna introduced Fred Armisen who made a surprise cameo on the episode
While listing a few of the latest projects that she had recently starred in, such as Netflix’s Wednesday and the horror film, Scream VI, Ortega reminisced on her first acting role, which was a Colgate commercial when she was only nine-years-old.
The star then showed a throwback clip from the advertisement, and also showed a ‘horror’ version of the commercial. ‘I love horror movies, but honestly, I don’t get scared very easily,’ she admitted.
‘Part of the reason I wanted to host SNL is I wanted to face my biggest fear. Happy extroverted people always trying to perform,’ she jokingly added. Jenna revealed that she had a ‘couple of friends’ who had come to the show for support.
The actress then introduced her Wednesday co-star, Fred Armisen, who sent a wave when the camera panned over to him. ‘Don’t let me distract you. I’m just here to watch with these people that are below me,’ the comedian stated, who notably appeared in 11 seasons of SNL.
The Fallout actress invited Armisen onto the stage, and after initially rejecting the idea, he excitedly got up to join Jenna.
‘Seriously, Fred, I am so honored that you’re here,’ the star gushed, and added, ‘You’re the reason I started watching SNL actually. My favorite sketch of all time is The Californians.’
The Portlandia actor began to explain the origins of the famous skit, but Ortega cut him off, and stated, ‘It’s all good. Thank you, Fred.’ After he quickly exited the stage, the actress expressed to the audience that hosting SNL ‘feels like a dream.’
To conclude the monologue, Jenna recalled when she had toured the studio with her parents years ago, and remembered when they had told her, ‘wouldn’t it be amazing if you hosted some day, and it seemed impossible then, but now I’m here tonight, and my parents are in the audience!’
A milestone: Jenna gushed how she was the ‘youngest host of the season,’ and his been working in the entertainment industry since she was a kid after being discovered through a video her mother shared on Facebook
Throwback! While listing a few of the latest projects that she had recently starred in, such as Netflix’s Wednesday and the horror film, Scream VI, Ortega reminisced on her first acting role, which was a Colgate commercial when she was only nine-years-old
A cameo: The actress then introduced her Wednesday co-star, Fred Armisen, who sent a wave when the camera panned over to him
A fan! Once Fred jumped onto the stage, Jenna stated, ‘Seriously, Fred, I am so honored that you’re here,’ the star gushed, and added, ‘You’re the reason I started watching SNL actually. My favorite sketch of all time is The Californians’
Surreal: To conclude the monologue, Jenna recalled when she had toured the studio with her parents years ago and explained how surreal it was to be on the show with her parents in the audience
The first skit that Jenna was a part of took place on a PBS game show called School vs. School, and was hosted by SNL comedian, Kenan Thompson. The game brings on teachers and their ‘star students’ who pair up to answer a list of questions.
The first team from West Grove High School included teacher Sheila Cashman, played by Ego Nwodim, and two of her students, portrayed by Marcello Hernandez and Michael Longfellow.
The other team was from Professor Zander’s Academy for Extraordinary Children, with Zander being played by Mikey Day and Jenna tackling the role of one of the students named Zena. The other student was named Knockout.
During the sketch, Kenan asked each of the teams questions, and Jenna answered one of them correctly, allowing their team to lead on the scoreboard. However, she kept wanting to use her powers, but her professor had to keep telling her, ‘you cannot yet control them, child!’
Ortega soon answered a question wrong, and became upset thinking she had failed. ‘I failed! Is that what you’re all thinking? The freak failed?’
The teacher from the competing school kindly told Jenna that no one was thinking that, but she didn’t believe her.
She then used her powers, which were comparable to an electric shock, on the teacher. Zander immediately stopped Jenna but it was too late, and Knockout broke the podium to end the fighting.
Kenan attempted to continue to question West Grove High School but the students explained their teacher was not okay after experience the shock waves. After another bickering match between Jenna who wanted to use her powers and her professor, Kenan cut the show to go on a break.
First sketch: The first skit that Jenna was a part of took place on a PBS game show called School vs. School, and was hosted by SNL comedian, Kenan Thompson
Game time: The first team from West Grove High School included teacher Sheila Cashman, played by Ego Nwodim, and two of her students, portrayed by Marcello Hernandez and Michael Longfellow
Ready to play: The other team was from Professor Zander’s Academy for Extraordinary Children, with Zander being played by Mikey Day and Jenna tackling the role of one of the students named Zena and the other student was named Knockout
Wrong answer: Ortega soon answered a question wrong, and became upset thinking she had failed. ‘I failed! Is that what you’re all thinking? The freak failed?’
Upset: The teacher from the competing school kindly told Jenna that no one was thinking that, but she didn’t believe her
Powers: She then used her powers, which were comparable to an electric shock, on the teacher and Zander immediately stopped Jenna but it was too late, and Knockout broke the podium to end the fighting
End of game: Kenan attempted to continue to question the West Grove High School but the students explained their teacher was not okay after experience the shock waves
Another sketch Jenna joined in on was a Parent Trap remake. She was cast to play both twins in a reboot of the film. However, due to her stunt double being sick, the director played by Bowen Yang, brought in a crew member instead, who was Fred Armisen.
The audience immediately cheered out and gave a round of applause as he prepared to be a part of the skit.
Bowen gave simple directions to both Jenna and Fred to film a scene at camp where they discover they are twins. However, the scenes don’t exactly go according to plan.
In one scene, the two have a disagreement about bedtime, and keep turning the lights on and off. ‘You are so annoying!’ Jenna called out, causing Fred to respond with, ‘I’m starting to think you’re a real b***h!’
The director yelled cut and Ortega offered to bring someone else in to read lines, but Bowen explained, ‘We’re never going to see him in the movie, so it doesn’t matter what he says.’
In another scene, Jenna and Fred have to get to know each other and bond, and the actress, who is playing an 11-year-old in the scene, reveals she likes Oreos with peanut butter.
Armisen replied with, ‘Well, F me, so do I!’ He then asked if she liked beer, and Jenna asked, ‘What? No. Anyway, how old are you?’ The former SNL comedian then told her he was 56, and then corrected himself and stated he was 11.
At the end of the skit, the two were able to film a heartwarming scene where they discovered they were twins.
Reboot: Another sketch Jenna joined in on was a Parent Trap remake and she was cast to play both twins in a reboot of the film
Reunited: However, due to her stunt double being sick, the director played by Bowen Yang, brought in a crew member instead, who was Fred Armisen
A scene: Bowen gave simple directions to both Jenna and Fred to film a scene at camp where they discover they are twins, however, the scenes don’t exactly go according to plan
Problems: In one scene, the two have a disagreement about bedtime, and keep turning the lights on and off
Quick talk: The director yelled cut and Ortega offered to bring someone else in to read lines, but Bowen explained, ‘We’re never going to see him in the movie, so it doesn’t matter what he says’
Bonding: In another scene, Jenna and Fred have to get to know each other and bond, and the actress, who is playing an 11-year-old in the scene, reveals she likes Oreos with peanut butter
Funny: Armisen replied with, ‘Well, F me, so do I!’ He then asked if she liked beer, and Jenna asked, ‘What? No. Anyway, how old are you?’
The conclusion: At the end of the skit, the two were able to film a heartwarming scene where they discovered they were twins
In a Ridiculousness parody, Jenna played a TikTok star named Lee Lee Two Times, and joined Steelo Brim (Kenan Thompson) and Chanel West Coast (Chloe Fineman) with host Rob Dydrek (Mikey Day).
The hilarious sketch follows the stars watching short, funny clips but when poking fun at the videos, Ortega’s character would chime in, only to give rather horrific or tragic stories.
She continued to bring up sad stories while watching the funny reels, including a time when her cat had given birth to a ‘cat ball’ and the details left the host and others rather speechless and a bit disturbed.
After going into another segment where they guess what will happen in a video, and Jenna’s character gave yet another tragic prediction, Mikey announced that they will go on a break to ‘reset the vibe.’
At the very end of the skit, Ortega ends up showing a picture of the ‘cat ball’ that was on her phone.
A parody: In a Ridiculousness parody, Jenna played a TikTok star named Lee Lee Two Times, and joined Steelo Brim (Kenan Thompson) and Chanel West Coast (Chloe Fineman) with host Rob Dydrek (Mikey Day)
Hilarious: Jenna portrayed the character of a TikTok star named Lee Lee Two Times as she joined the show
Ready for the scene: The two SNL comedians played real-life Ridiculousness stars, Steelo Brim and Chanel West Coast
The skit: The hilarious sketch follows the stars watching short, funny clips but when poking fun at the videos, Ortega’s character would chime in, only to give rather horrific or tragic stories
Shocked: She continued to bring up sad stories while watching the funny reels, including a time when her cat had given birth to a ‘cat ball’ and the details left the host and others rather speechless and a bit disturbed
Needing a new ‘vibe’: After going into another segment where they guess what will happen in a video, and Jenna’s character gave yet another tragic prediction, Mikey announced that they will go on a break to ‘reset the vibe’
Story time: At the very end of the skit, Ortega ends up showing a picture of the ‘cat ball’ that was on her phone
Jenna then jumped into the role of a high school senior in a teen drama called, Varsity Valley. In the clip, she approached her boyfriend, who is also a senior, while he is hanging out with a group of friends in the parking lot of a Waffle House.
She revealed that she would not be going to the college she said she would, and instead applied to a music program in NYC. A dramatic exchange occurred between the two, as they came to the realization that they would not have a future together.
During the dramatic scene, the camera panned to show both Jenna and her boyfriend, played by Marcello Hernandez, in front of the Waffle House restaurant, in order to give a clear view inside of the diner.
As they talked to each other, other happenings began to occur in the background inside of the restaurant. Although the main focus was supposed to be aimed at Jenna and her boyfriend saying a tearful farewell, the attention was diverted to what was going on in the restaurant.
From fights breaking out, to a man running out with toilet paper on fire, to cops showing up, not all was calm inside the Waffle House. At the end of the sketch, Jenna’s boyfriend asked if she needed a ride home, but she explained that her father had driven her.
Inside the restaurant, a shirtless man (played by Mikey Day) with piercings and tattoos caused another fight, and he was tossed through a window, breaking glass everywhere. The man struggled to his feet and asked Jenna, ‘You ready to go, baby girl?’ revealing that he was her father.
Teen drama: Jenna then jumped into the role of a high school senior in a teen drama called, Varsity Valley
The setting: In the clip, she approaches her boyfriend, who is also a senior, while he is hanging out with a group of friends in the parking lot of a Waffle House
A revelation: She revealed that she would not be going to the college she said she would, and instead applied to a music program in NYC
Drama: During the dramatic scene, the camera panned to show both Jenna and her boyfriend, played by Marcello Hernandez, in front of the Waffle House restaurant, in order to give a clear view inside of the diner
Inside the diner: As they talked to each other, other happenings began to occur in the background inside of the restaurant
Fights: From fights breaking out, to a man running out with toilet paper on fire, to cops showing up, not all was calm inside the Waffle House
Coming to terms: At the end of the sketch, Jenna’s boyfriend asked if she needed a ride home, but she explained that her father had driven her
Another fight: Inside the restaurant, a shirtless man (played by Mikey Day) with piercings and tattoos caused another fight, and he was tossed through a window, breaking glass everywhere
Humorous: The man struggled to his feet and asked Jenna, ‘You ready to go, baby girl?’ revealing that he was her father
Another humorous skit was a parody of the 1973 horror film, The Exorcist. Jenna portrayed the role of the possessed daughter while her parents and a priest were trying to expel the demon.
Suddenly, their upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Shaw, played by Ego Nwodim, knocked on the door and was seen wearing a nightgown and hair curlers. She expressed her annoyance that she couldn’t sleep due to all the noise and disturbances.
The parents explained that their daughter had been possessed and that they were waiting for another priest. However, Mrs. Shaw had no time to wait and needed her ‘eight hours of sleep.’
She hilariously took control and announced that she would expel the demon. Jenna’s possessed character spit out rude comments towards Mrs. Shaw, but she remained completely unfazed and unbothered, having been a crossing guard for years on a six-lane street. ‘Oh, honey, you’re going to have to do better than that.’
Jenna then began levitating and tried to come up with another comment to yell at Mrs. Shaw to scare her, but Ortega’s character couldn’t think of anything.
Failing, the demon began to leave Jenna’s body but needed a host, so Mrs. Shaw called down her husband, Frank, who was also annoyed about getting out of bed. He appeared in the room and the demon jumped into his body.
Reference to a film: Another humorous skit was a parody of the 1973 horror film, The Exorcist and Jenna portrayed the role of the possessed daughter while her parents and a priest were trying to expel the demon
Annoyed: Suddenly, their upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Shaw, played by Ego Nwodim, knocked on the door and was seen wearing a nightgown and hair curlers
Needing sleep: The parents explained that their daughter had been possessed and that they were waiting for another priest, however, Mrs. Shaw had no time to wait and needed her ‘eight hours of sleep’
Taking over: She hilariously took control and announced that she would expel the demon
Unfazed: Jenna’s possessed character spit out rude comments towards Mrs. Shaw, but she remained completely unfazed and unbothered, having been a crossing guard for years on a six-lane street
Working: Jenna then began levitating and tried to come up with another comment to yell at Mrs. Shaw to scare her, but Ortega’s character couldn’t think of anything
A new host: Failing, the demon began to leave Jenna’s body but needed a host, so Mrs. Shaw called down her husband, Frank, who was also annoyed about getting out of bed
In a pre-recorded sketch, Jenna could be seen sitting in the SNL writing room with three other writers. The trio began packing bags, and the actress asked where they were going, and they revealed that they were about to go on cross-country road trip.
A bit tired from working, the Wednesday star asked to join and the four jumped into a car and snag a catchy tune about their trip. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the navigation announcing they had mixed their exit, causing the song to abruptly stop.
The song comes in and out as they face problems and tensions soar among the group. They then decide to head home and a shocking conclusion ends the sketch.
The last skit that Jenna was a part of included the star portraying the role of a lawyer who was in a meeting with other workers in their firm called Donalds & Dominguez.
However, the firm is having trouble bringing in customers and they decide they need a jingle for their phone number (1-672-555-0136) that will be shown on an advertisement for the company.
A music duo called, Soul Booth, stopped by and offered a few different jingles, and finally land on one that can be used. At the end, all the colleagues and Soul Booth members dance around in celebration to the tune of the jingle.
Writers room: In a pre-recorded sketch, Jenna could be seen sitting in the SNL writing room with three other writers
Packing their bags: The trio began packing bags, and the actress asked where they were going, and they revealed that they were about to go on cross-country road trip
Having a blast: A bit tired from working, the Wednesday star asked to join and the four jumped into a car and snag a catchy tune about their trip
Road trip: Suddenly, they were interrupted by the navigation announcing they had mixed their exit, causing the song to abruptly stop
Interruptions: The song comes in and out as they face problems and tensions soar among the group. They then decide to head home and a shocking conclusion ends the sketch
Fun role: The last skit that Jenna was a part of included the star portraying the role of a lawyer who was in a meeting with other workers in their firm called Donalds & Dominguez
Discussion: However, the firm is having trouble bringing in customers and they decide they need a jingle for their phone number (1-672-555-0136) that will be shown on an advertisement for the company
A jingle: A music duo called, Soul Booth, stopped by and offered a few different jingles, and finally land on one that can be used
Celebration: At the end, all the colleagues and Soul Booth members dance around in celebration to the tune of the jingle
Musical guest: The 1975 was the musical guest on the episode, and the first track the group performed on the show was called, I’m In Love With You
First performance of the night: The single is from their 2022 album titled, Being Funny In A Foreign Language
Vocals: Dressed rather dapper in suits, Matty, the lead singer, showed off his impressive vocal skills while simultaneously playing the guitar
Taking to the stage: The second performance of the night from The 1975 was the song, Oh Caroline, which is also off their album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language
Farewell: Jenna donned a black and white striped suit as she took to the stage for the last time after successfully hosting SNL for the first time
Sending thanks: She expressed her gratitude to the cast and crew, and also gave a shout to Fred Arisen and The 1975
The 1975 was the musical guest on the episode, and the first track the group performed on the show was called, I’m In Love With You. The single is from their 2022 album titled, Being Funny In A Foreign Language.
Dressed rather dapper in suits, Matty, the lead singer, showed off his impressive vocal skills while simultaneously playing the guitar with the other members.
The second performance of the night from The 1975 was the song, Oh Caroline, which is also off their album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language.
The British band, which was formed back in 2022, consists of lead singer, Matty Healy, lead guitarist, Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel.