It’s far from euphoria that Colman Domingo is feeling as he fields a cast member’s pitch in a first promo for his Saturday Night Live hosting debut.
In the video above, the Emmy winner and two-time Oscar nominee is approached by Veronika Slowikowska, who has an idea for a sketch. Domingo—whose sketch comedy experience includes two seasons of Logo TV’s The Big Gay Sketch Show—is all smiles as he agrees to hear out the cast member.
Alas, as the premise of Slowikowska playing his “super-loud” upstairs neighbor proceeds to fold in rats, a hobby horse, tap dancing, Soulja Boy, and Kam Patterson as “Black Captain Hook,” Domingo’s internal monologue chronicles his escalating feeling of dread.
“I already hate this idea,” he immediately thinks to himself, followed by:
“It’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
“You’ve really done it this time, Colman. Is it too late to switch to SNL UK?“
“The idea is getting worse by the second.”
“Maybe if I tell someone she tried to kiss me, she’ll get fired.”
“I never thought I’d be jealous of dead people.”
“This is so annoying—and that’s coming from someone who spent his whole life around theater people.”
When Slowikowska finally concludes her pitch, Domingo privately reassures himself, “You got this, Colman. Just say no.”
Instead, the genteel gent utters, “It’s the best thing I’ve ever heard! We are absolutely doing this!”
Colman makes his SNL hosting debut this Saturday, April 11, with Brazilian pop star Anitta as musical guest. The show is then set to go dark for two weeks before returning in May for its final three episodes of Season 51—hosted by Olivia Rodrigo (pulling double duty), Matt Damon (with musical guest Noah Kahan), and Will Ferrell (with musical guest Paul McCartney).
