Austin Butler stepped onto the Saturday Night Live stage to make his anticipated hosting debut for the show’s special Christmas episode.
To close out the episode, the 31-year-old star had the chance to dive back into the his critically acclaimed Elvis role to sing Blue Christmas as a final farewell to SNL comedian, Cecily Strong, as she officially departed the show after 11 seasons.
The Golden Globe nominated actor also gave a heartfelt opening monologue, as he recalled watching SNL as a child with his late mother, and then dedicated his time on the show to her: ‘That’s for you, mom.’
Special serenade: Austin Butler, 31, sang the hit Elvis song, Blue Christmas, in dedication to Cecily Strong departing from Saturday Night Live
At the very end of the episode, the last skit was dedicated to Cecily, who was leaving the show. The sketch took place at Radio Shack, with Kenan Thompson saying a few words to Cecily on her last day on the job.
‘She’d have a power and joy to her performance that made you remember why you loved working at radio shack in the first place,’ he stated, referencing to her work on SNL over the years. ‘I know I’m not supposed to say this as your boss, but I love you, Cecily.’
Kenan’s character, Mr. Frank Lasagna, then announced that all the employees had gathered some money to hire a ‘special guest’ for the party.
‘Unfortunately, the costume was extra, and we chose to not spring for that. So please welcome, casual Elvis!’ Austin then appeared on stage, wearing a pair of classic blue jeans, a plain white T-shirt and a leather jacket.
The talented actor stepped up close to Cecily and the two shared a quick embrace. ‘Cecily, I’ve only met you this week, but it feels like I’ve known you for two weeks,’ he lightly joked as he placed an arm over her shoulder.
Heartfelt: As the actor began to sing the song, Cecily later joined as she enjoyed her last time on the SNL stage after an 11 season run
Embrace: During the last skit, the former Disney channel star was introduced as ‘casual Elvis’ and he stepped out to give the SNL star a hug
Final skit: The last sketch of the night took place at Radio Shack, with Kenan Thompson saying a few words to Cecily on her last day on the job
Austin then began to transition into the classic Blue Christmas song, which was originally recorded by Elvis in 1957. ‘And I know I speak for everyone else when I say, ‘I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you…’
As he serenaded Cecily with the track, other SNL stars joined in to sing along, such as Kenan, Colin Jost, and Bowen Yang.
As the song wound down to a close, a tearful Cecily gave a hug to Austin and to her other fellow cast members as she bid them all a final farewell on stage. The track was a perfect way to end the SNL episode, but the star had an overall successful night as a debut host on the show, beginning with his opening monologue.
The former Disney channel star stepped onto the decorated stage as the audience excitedly welcomed him with a cheerful applause at the beginning of the episode.
He opted for a sleek, black suit comprising of a double-breasted jacket and loose-fitting slacks. The star chose to not add a shirt underneath the jacket for a stylish flare.
Big moment: Kenan Thompson, who played her boss during the sketch, stated, ‘I know I’m not supposed to say this as your boss, but I love you, Cecily’
Coming together: As Austin serenaded Cecily with the track, other SNL stars joined in to sing along, such as Kenan, Colin Jost, and Bowen Yang
Goodbyes: As the song wound down to a close, a tearful Cecily gave a hug to Austin and to her other fellow cast members as she bid them all a final farewell on stage
Debut host: The Elvis star made his debut hosting Saturday Night Live, and confidently stepped onto the stage to start his opening monologue
After mentioning that last year’s SNL Christmas episode was cancelled due to Covid, Austin brought up how people were claiming his voice had gotten deeper since he took on the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s hit film.
‘That’s not true. I’ve always sounded like this. I can prove it,’ he announced, and showed a clip from ten years earlier when doing a red carpet interview for The Carrie Diaries.
As he spoke in the reel, his voice hilariously had a rather high-pitched sound, prompting a laugh from the audience. Austin revealed that his older sister, Ashley, was also in attendance to support him on the show.
The actor talked about his late mother, who passed away in 2014 due to a battle with cancer. ‘Some of my favorite memories from growing up are watching SNL with her. And we’d watch every week,’ he revealed.
The Zoey 101 star expressed that when he was younger, he had a ‘crippling shyness,’ but when he was with his mom, ‘I’d just do anything to make her laugh,’ including a Gollum impression.
Addressing his voice change: Austin brought up how people were claiming his voice had gotten deeper since he took on the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s hit film
‘Not true’: Austin stated that the claims were, ‘not true. I’ve always sounded like this. I can prove it’
Throwback! He showed a clip from ten years earlier when doing a red carpet interview for The Carrie Diaries and as he spoke, his voice hilariously had a rather high-pitched sound, completely opposite of his current voice
Moving moment: The Golden Globe nominated star brought up his late mother, stating, ‘Some of my favorite memories from growing up are watching SNL with her’
‘But, really, being silly with her is what broke me out of my shell and the core of what started me in acting.’
Being on SNL had made the star think about his mother, and that he could imagine, ‘how proud she’d be of her son, who used to not be able to order food for myself at a restaurant, is now standing on this stage.’
To conclude his monologue, Austin then dedicated each ‘silly voice’ or a ‘funny face’ he did on the show to his later mother, emotionally adding, ‘That’s for you, mom.’
The first sketch of the night began with a game show called, The Phrase That Pays, which was compared to Wheel Of Fortune, but just with no wheel.
Austin played one of the excited contestants named Troy. Two other SNL comedians acted as contestants, while the host, played by James Austin Johnson, commenced the game.
Emotional: Austin expressed that he used to love to make his mother laugh, and that, ‘being silly with her is what broke me out of my shell and the core of what started me in acting’
Tearful: To conclude his monologue, Austin then dedicated each ‘silly voice’ or a ‘funny face’ he did on the show to his later mother, emotionally adding, ‘That’s for you, mom’
Game time! The first sketch of the night began with a game show called, The Phrase That Pays, which was compared to Wheel Of Fortune, but just with no wheel
Ready to play: Austin played one of the excited contestants named Troy. Two other comedians played while the host, played by James Austin Johnson, commenced the game
While the two contestants couldn’t solve the word phrase, Austin’s character was able to know the answers without even trying.
As the game went on, the other contestants came to the conclusion that he must be cheating somehow.
However, during one puzzle with the category being ‘quote’, Austin couldn’t come up with an answer to what the phrase could be, and stated, ‘Wow. I am completely stumped, yeah. I have no idea. My mind is a total blank. I give up.’
The host announced in surprise that he had gotten the answer correct, explaining that, ‘Benjamin Franklin said it when he was trying to think of the light bulb.’ Due to Austin’s skill at the game, he eventually won.
Skillful at the game: While the two contestants couldn’t solve the word phrase, Austin’s character was able to know the answers without even trying
Amazing guess! As the game went on, the other contestants came to the conclusion that he must be cheating somehow
Shocked: The host and contestants were surprised at how good Austin’s character was at the game
Beloved film: The next skit referenced to the beloved 1946 film, It’s A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart
New role: Austin played the character of Rich, who was spending his Christmas Eve alone, and the scene began with him leaving a bar
The next skit referenced to the beloved 1946 film, It’s A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart.
In a pre-recorded black and white scene, Austin played the character of Rich, who was spending his Christmas Eve alone. As he walked drunkenly in the snow, he walked past a home and saw a family happily sitting a table for dinner inside.
Rich then remembered the importance of family and dramatically stated, ‘Look at them. So much love. That’s what I’ve been afraid of all these years. So beautiful,’ as he watched the family.
However, inside of the home, the wife turned to her husband, and said with concern on her voice, ‘Steven, there is a man staring at us through our window.’
The sketch continued with Austin talking to himself as he regrets not having loved ones in his life and coming to the grand realization that he was ready for love, but the family inside became petrified of the man who wouldn’t leave their window, assuming he was crazy.
Alone: As he walked drunkenly in the snow, he walked past a home and saw a family happily sitting a table for dinner inside
Important realization: Rich then remembered the importance of love, expressing, ‘That’s what I’ve been afraid of all these years. So beautiful,’ as he watched the family’
Funny: However, the family inside were scared of the strange man standing outside of their window
Unsure: The sketch continued with Austin talking to himself as he regrets losing his loved ones
Problem: But the family inside became petrified of the man who won’t leave their window, assuming he was crazy
The next skit revolved around the candy called marzipan. Kenan Thompson began to talk about the candy, and introduced a few children, played by SNL stars and Austin, who would detail the German treat.
They all described how the candy can come in different styles and shapes, such as animals. Kenan and the children, including Austin, continued to build up hype for the treat.
‘Just remember, don’t eat it within 12 hours of going to sleep or after 12 hours of waking up,’ Kenan’s character jokingly interrupted.
A chef making the candy suddenly appeared, with Austin discovering that the secret recipe to marzipan was simply mushed almonds. The chef did a quick taste taste, and revealed the candy was finished. ‘Yuck, it’s perfect! All done! And, remember, it must be refrigerated and consumed within 50 years.’
To celebrate marzipan, the SNL comedians and Austin closed off the sketch by singing a tune dedicated to the candy.
Candy time: The next skit was revolved around the candy called marzipan with Kenan Thompson talking about the candy
A treat: Kenan introduced a few children, played by SNL stars and Austin, who would describe the German treat
Excited: They all described how the candy can come in different styles and shapes, such as animals
The secret: A chef joined the children, and made the marzipan treat and did a quick taste test, expressing, ‘Yuck, it’s perfect! All done!’
Musical number: To celebrate marzipan, the SNL comedians and Austin closed off the sketch by singing a tune dedicated to the candy
The next skit referenced to Austin’s role as Elvis, except he didn’t play the character himself in the sketch.
Taking place at a retirement home called The Oasis, a granddaughter was visiting her grandmother and her friends as they went to a theater in the building.
Lois, an elderly lady in the home, played by Austin, could hardly contain her…
