Ryan Gosling Proves Why He Is One of the Best on 'SNL'

Cold Open — If a political cold open is necessary, I suppose Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth reciting Papa Roach lyrics and doing keg stands and Ashley Padilla’s Kristi Noem send-off is the best case scenario. It’s better than James Austin Johnson. But honestly, no one wants to see anyone from this Administration ever again, in parody or otherwise. But this will do. (Score: 5 out of 10)

Ryan Gosling Monologue — Next week’s host is Harry Styles, who is in the audience, and Ryan Gosling basically makes his monologue about the pressure he feels giving his monologue in front of Harry Styles. This is why Ryan Gosling is one of the best. He’s the coolest even when he’s pretending not to be as cool as Harry Styles. One of the better monologues in recent memory. (Score: 8 out of 10)

Wedding Tradition — Here’s a skit that’s basically only funny because it’s Ryan Gosling, who can’t control his own laughter, which is somehow always endearing and, I suspect, relaxes the entire cast. He plays basically a stranger at a wedding who tries to take advantage of a particular tradition. And Gosling can’t say funny words without choking on his own snorts. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)

Otezla — Otezla is a medication for plaque psoriasis that is 100 percent effective and defies the laws of space and time and may be Earth’s mortal enemy. (Score: 7 out of 10)

Cyclops — Three cyclops must answer a riddle to gain access to the treasure. The cyclops have no idea how to solve a riddle, and Ashley Padilla just yells “Stop” at Ryan Gosling a lot, and they crack each other up. And sometimes, Gosling breaks when the skit is not even funny. (Watch Here) (Score: 5 out of 10)

Monty McTreats & The Pastry Bakery — In a pre-tape, Monty McTreat is basically the Willy Wonka of bakeries, only there’s a very special surprise about his adorable little workers that not even Monty McTreat knows until it’s sprung upon him. (Score: 7 out of 10)

Weekend Update — The RFK/Walton Goggins joke is an all-timer. Otherwise, Jost and Che deliver the usual array of jokes, only they’re funnier because everyone is in such a good mood when Gosling is hosting. It’s also a rare abbreviated “Update” with only one segment (Kenan delivering prayers!), because Gosling is so good they don’t want to take time away from the host. (Score: 7 out of 10)

Passing Notes — Genius sketch where Gosling plays the Principal and Padilla plays a teacher who catch kids passing notes and read the notes out loud in class, only neither Gosling nor Padilla has read the notes before so, clearly, they cannot keep a straight face while they’re reading them for the first time. It’s like a joke swap, but for a sketch. And this is the Mat sketch of the week. (Score: 9 out of 10)

The Goo Goo Man — Gosling plays a hotel guest who is overcharged for his visit from the Goo Goo man. His wife has no idea what or who the Goo Goo Man is. The weirdest thing about the skit is how abruptly it ends. (Watch Here) (Score: 5 out of 10)

Lies — I don’t know what the hell this is, except that Martin Herlihy plays a fun-house Colin Jost and it’s chaotic as hell. I approve. (Score: 6.5 out of 10)

And if you want to know why the cast is so good when Gosling is in the house, just watch the Goodbyes. He wishes Sarah Sherman a happy birthday and he basically hugs everyone … there’s an actual bear hug in there, too.