Art by Stephany Torres
We’re nearly halfway done with the 49th season of Saturday Night Live, and there have been some incredibly hilarious moments that have happened courtesy of the talented hosts the long-running sketch comedy show recruits each week.
So far, only one of the nine hosts this season has been Latine – Bad Bunny on the episode that aired on October 21, 2023. Remember when Benito appeared in drag with Pedro Pascal? And JLo is only set as the musical guest for the 3rd of February, so that doesn’t count.
If Saturday Night Live producers decide to feature more Latine hosts before the 49th season ends (it should wrap up sometime in late May), we have some ideas. Below are 10 Latine actors who we’d like to see show off their comedy skills in front of a live studio audience.
Isabela Merced’s co-star of Marvel’s Madam Web, Dakota Johnson, is hosting the January 27 episode, so let’s give this superhero a try too. In the film, Merced plays Anya Corazon, AKA Spider-Girl. Madam Web hits theaters on Valentine’s Day.
Colman Domingo just earned the first Oscar nomination of his career, so his stock is high. His next film, Drive-Away Dolls, opens at theaters February 23. The film co-stars Pedro Pascal, who could give Domingo some pointers if he joins the family for another Protective Mom skit. That skit needs more protective tías.
Let’s pencil in Julio Torres for a hosting gig the day after Problemista, his first feature as a writer-director, debuts at theaters on March 1, 2024. Torres was a writer for SNL from 2016 to 2021, so maybe he can pull some strings.
We would’ve liked America Ferrera to do SNL and the Oscar ceremony on the same weekend (March 10th), but that’s a heavy lift. Instead, let’s give the first-time Oscar nominee for Barbie some time to celebrate the groundbreaking film with a bang. Bring Margot and Ryan, too, for the monologue.
Eiza González’s newest TV series, 3 Body Problem, premieres on Netflix on March 21, 2024. The show is based on a Chinese sci-fi novel and follows a group of scientists who must “join forces with an unflinching detective to stop humanity’s greatest threat.” Plus, she’s in the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which is based on the 2005 film of the same name. And that’s definitely skit material.
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The Riverdale actress Camila Mendes has two movies coming out in 2024, America Sole and Música. The second premieres on April 4, 2024. And in it Mendes gets to highlight her Brazilian background, so maybe she could do the same on SNL with a musical guest like Dricka.
The idea behind Wagner Moura’s new film, Civil War, which opens at theaters on April 12, 2024, is a frightening one, but not frightening enough not to spoof on SNL. We’ll also see Moura soon on the TV series Mr. & Mrs. Smith as well, alongside Eiza González.
Despite the negative reaction Melissa Barrera received for her call for a ceasefire in Gaza, Barrera has made it clear that she’s not about to stay silent for anyone. And with her latest movie, Your Monster, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, and her vampire ballerina movie, Abigail, hitting theaters on April 19, 2024, she’ll have plenty to talk about.
With The Bear sweeping awards season, Liza Colón-Zayas should be on everyone’s mind right now. Her character Tina has had a spectacular development in season 2 of The Bear. And until that show comes back for season 3, SNL would be a great place for her to show off her comedic chops. In May, Colón-Zayas will also star in a live-action/animated fantasy comedy alongside Ryan Reynolds in IF.
Out of this entire list of Latine talent, the one that has the best chance of happening is Taylor-Joy doing SNL prior to her film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hitting theaters on May 24, 2024. Bikers, warlords, and tyrants are all welcome as this movie is chockful of opportunities for skits.
