Michael Keaton, beloved for his iconic roles as Batman and Beetlejuice, took to the Studio 8H stage as the host of Saturday Night Live (SNL) on October 19. This marked Keaton's fourth time at the helm of the long-running sketch show, and what could be more fitting than kicking off SNL's Halloween season with the actor who's synonymous with spooky fun?
The live episode boasted several hilarious sketches, one of which featured Keaton reprising the spirit of Beetlejuice alongside cast members Mikey Day and Andy Samberg, who sported the character's signature striped suit and wild green wig to perfect effect. This nostalgic nod not only delighted viewers but also served as a reminder of Keaton's enduring legacy within the SNL family and the broader entertainment industry.
One of the night’s standout moments was the presentation of “Shop TV: Halloween Cookies,” which saw Keaton play Toby the Cookie Guy. Pairing up with the lively home shopping hosts Rhett (Mikey Day) and Lindy (Heidi Gardner), Keaton's character aimed to sell his bizarre yet festive cookie creations just as Halloween was looming. The cookie was presented to the audience as humorously controversial from the get-go, drawing laughs and scandalized reactions from the hosts.
“Now, I don’t normally like to scare my customers, but I’ll make an exception on Halloween,” Keaton’s character quipped, introducing what he described as “a jumbo cookie shaped like a zombie eyeball.” The cookie's reveal, alongside its accompanying packaging displaying a cartoonish zombie, quickly led to awkward banter among the hosts. "So pink in the middle there," Gardner’s character remarked, commenting on the cookie’s vividly unnerving appearance. From the onset, it was clear the absurdity of the cookie's design pushed comedic boundaries.
Adding another layer of hilarity, the sketch escalated when Keaton, portraying Toby, gave the cookie a squeeze for the close-up, resulting in Rhett and Lindy’s attempts to control their amused horror and demand cutting away from the scene. It was this delightful mix of horror motifs and slapstick comedy threading through the night’s sketches which kept audiences engaged.
This sketch served as both homage and sequel to Adam Driver’s “Shop TV Christmas,” which had first aired the previous December, showcasing SNL’s ability to weave character-driven humor through familiar formats. The light, playful wink at potential mishaps surrounding holiday-themed television was noted to be one of the recurring themes of the evening and kept viewers tuning back for more.
Among the various sketches and comedic bits, Samberg’s return alongside Keaton accentuated the infectious chemistry they share, with Samberg seamlessly slipping back again to channel Beetlejuice. Their banter spanned discussions about past characters, such as when Keaton playfully asked Samberg, “Don’t you normally play Doug Emhoff in the cold opens?” This lighthearted exchange not only highlighted their camaraderie but also served as homage to the host's multifaceted careers and their ability to adapt comedic characters across settings.
An additional highlight of the night was SNL's cold open, which featured Alec Baldwin joining Maya Rudolph. The two created comedic waves through their parody of Kamala Harris’s recent interview on Fox News, with Baldwin impersonatively enacting the Republican contestant dancing exuberantly during campaign events. This sketch echoed the present climate, leveraging humor to tackle pressing political discourse combined with the fantastical spirit of Keaton’s Halloween-themed hosting.
The show also presented bits from the Please Don't Destroy trio, who delighted audiences with their interpretations of skydiving fears. Their contributions added varied comedic flavors, showcasing SNL’s ensemble talent and versatility.
Keaton's hosting experience was also steeped heavily with nostalgia, as he first graced SNL back in October 1982 for another Halloween special. The myriad of sketches from the night provided callbacks to the quirks of his previous performances, with Keaton's homage to the ghostly Beetlejuice and Batman cementing his unique place within the show's history. This cyclical connection between actors and characters provided fertile ground for sustained humor and active audience participation.
Other sketches throughout the night, including one titled “Horror Choreographer,” humorously addressed the popular trend of choreographing dance routines to horror film classics, demonstrating the intersection between pop culture and comedy. Keaton's charm and experience blended beautifully with the young cast, adding depth to SNL’s storytelling dynamics.
Of course, Saturday Night Live is famous for its Weekend Update segment, which would be remiss not to mention as part of this episode. Colin Jost and Michael Che brought their usual wit and candor to the news desk, addressing both political highlights and cultural footnotes of the week, allowing Keaton's episode to align with both comedic and societal commentary.
Michael Keaton’s blend of comedic timing, signature characters, and collaborative energy with SNL's cast leads to speculative excitement within the public for future performances. His seamless ability to adapt to the show’s antics continued to hold their relevance, captivating both nostalgic fans and newcomers alike.
With the ever-evolving dynamics during live broadcasts, sketch comedy requires impressive dexterity on behalf of its performers. Keaton's ability to stand alongside the energetic cast of SNL's fiftieth season, navigate through both humor and sentiment, and encapsulate the Halloween spirit set the bar for future hosts to deliver bold and impactful performances. From rousing laughter over zombie cookies gone wrong to nostalgic callbacks, this episode is sure to leave its mark for fans and viewers around the globe. Simply put, there's no denying the fiery charm and flair Keaton brings to the iconic late-night sketch show, solidifying yet another cherished moment both for him as an individual and for the enduring legacy of SNL.
