“Saturday Night Live” Kicks off 2024 with Jacob Elordi and Reneé Rapp
The highly anticipated return of “Saturday Night Live” in 2024 did not disappoint. The first episode of the year, which aired on January 20th, featured heartthrob Jacob Elordi as the host and talented singer Reneé Rapp as the musical guest. The announcement of these popular guests had fans buzzing with excitement, and NBC wasted no time in capitalizing on their popularity by selling exclusive merchandise for the episode.
As the show kicked off, Elordi took center stage for his opening monologue. He immediately addressed the buzz surrounding his recent film, “Saltburn,” known for its explicit sex scenes. With a touch of humor, he acknowledged that many people might recognize him from the film, not because they had actually seen it, but because of the viral TikToks that circulated online. Elordi even shared a funny clip from the movie, featuring his co-star Barry Keoghan engaging in a rather unconventional intimate encounter with a grave. “I was the one in the grave,” Elordi quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. He then playfully thanked those who had seen the movie and apologized to anyone who had watched it with their parents. To those who watched it with their significant others, he cheekily said, “You’re welcome.”
During the fan Q&A segment, Elordi was asked about his favorite Elvis Presley—whether he preferred the young or old version. Surprisingly, he revealed that his favorite Elvis was actually the animated version from the 2002 film “Lilo and Stitch.” It seems that Elordi’s portrayal of the iconic singer in “Priscilla” had introduced him to Elvis, and he humorously admitted that he wasn’t very familiar with him before that.
However, not all questions were light-hearted. Cast member Sarah Sherman took the opportunity to express her disdain for Elordi’s film “Saltburn,” calling it “absolutely gross.” Elordi took the criticism in stride and engaged in a playful banter with Sherman. When she brought up his popular Netflix YA franchise, “The Kissing Booth,” and its romantic scenes, Elordi agreed that kissing could be weird when you really think about it. This lighthearted exchange was met with applause from the audience, showing that Elordi’s ability to laugh at himself resonated with fans.
Elordi’s success extends beyond the big screen. He is also known for his role as Nate Jacobs in the hit HBO series “Euphoria.” While promoting his hosting gig on “SNL” during an appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Elordi expressed his excitement for the upcoming third season of the show. He jokingly mentioned that if filming didn’t start soon, they might have to “Benjamin Button” him due to the character’s age progression. Fans of “Euphoria” can look forward to the third season airing in 2025, according to HBO.
The musical guest for the night, Reneé Rapp, added her own flair to the episode. Rapp recently released her album, “Snow Angel,” and is best known for her role as Regina George in the “Mean Girls” musical movie adaptation. In a playful sketch, Rapp joked about her recent outspoken interviews and the need for media training. She also wowed the audience with her second performance, where she was introduced by original “Mean Girls” star Rachel McAdams and joined on stage by Megan Thee Stallion.
Overall, the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” in 2024 was a hit. Jacob Elordi’s charismatic hosting and Reneé Rapp’s impressive musical talent made for an entertaining night. With exciting projects on the horizon, including the highly anticipated third season of “Euphoria,” fans can’t wait to see what these rising stars have in store for the future.
