Saturday Night Live: Up coming host Walton Goggins goes full White Lotus in an extensive promo

Walton Goggins has delivered a hilariously dark promotional sketch ahead of his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live this weekend. The promo features Goggins and cast member Marcello Hernandez in a clever skit that parodies HBO's hit series "The White Lotus" and its signature "who's gonna die?" narrative.

Fresh from his Met Gala appearance earlier this week, Goggins fully commits to the bit by theorizing about potential deaths in SNL's penultimate episode of season 50.

The extended promo showcases Goggins' comedic timing as he insists on applying murder mystery tropes to the sketch comedy show, despite Hernandez's protests. With musical guest Arcade Fire also set to appear, this weekend's episode marks another milestone in SNL's landmark 50th season.

The promotional video not only entertains but may contain hidden references to ongoing rumors about potential cast departures as the historic season approaches its finale next week.

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Saturday Night Live’s White Lotus parody

In the cleverly crafted promo, Goggins channels his inner "White Lotus" fan by speculating about potential deaths on the upcoming SNL episode. When Hernandez attempts to correct him, saying:

"It's not that kind of show, man. It's SNL, no one's gonna die,"

Goggins remains undeterred. The actor doubles down with deadpan delivery, stating:

"Colin Jost, Michael Che, murder-suicide," prompting an alarmed Hernandez to remind him that Saturday Night Live features real people, not fictional characters.

As the sketch progresses, Goggins becomes increasingly invested in his murder mystery fantasy. He fixates on which cast member might be behind Hernandez's theoretical demise, cycling through possibilities before making his dramatic accusation.

"It's Bowen! It's always been Bowen. It would always ever be Bowen, because he hates you," Goggins declares with exaggerated certainty, implicating cast member Bowen Yang as the culprit.

The scenario takes an unexpected turn when Michael Longfellow suddenly appears to "stab" Hernandez, confessing:

"I should have been Domingo," a reference to Hernandez's popular recurring character on the show.

What makes this promotional sketch particularly intriguing is its potential meta-commentary on Saturday Night Live itself. With season 50 nearing its conclusion, speculation about cast departures has intensified, especially regarding Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che.

Goggins' specific mention of these two longtime cast members might be more than coincidental, possibly nodding to rumors about their future with the show. Similarly, Longfellow's surprise appearance as the "killer" could hint at behind-the-scenes developments, as some industry watchers have suggested he might be positioned for greater prominence next season.

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What to expect from SNL this weekend?

Goggins' hosting debut this Saturday promises to bring his unique energy to Studio 8H. Known for scene-stealing roles in "Justified," "The Righteous Gemstones," and most recently "The White Lotus," the actor has demonstrated impressive range throughout his career.

The episode will air at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and stream simultaneously on Peacock, featuring the full SNL ensemble including veterans Kenan Thompson and newer additions like Hernandez, Longfellow, and Jane Wickline.

As Saturday Night Live approaches its season finale next week, this penultimate episode may set the stage for potential farewells. Whether the promo contains actual hints about the show's future or simply plays with audience expectations remains to be seen, but it certainly demonstrates Goggins's willingness to embrace the unpredictable spirit that has defined Saturday Night Live for five decades.

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Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and streams simultaneously on Peacock this Saturday.