> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The 5 Ryan Gosling ‘SNL’ sketches you gotta watch before he hosts again - URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-5-ryan-gosling-snl-sketches-you-gotta-watch-before-he-hosts-again/ - Published: 2026-03-07T16:42:04.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-08T13:14:54.000Z - Description: When you host ‘SNL’ as many times — and are as good at doing so — as Ryan Gosling, it’s hard to choose just one. - Author: Bill Kuchman - Tags: The Cold Open • Extras, The Cold Open, SNL, Ryan Gosling **Ryan Gosling** is back on *SNL* tonight. It’ll be his fourth time hosting the show — [no, not the fifth](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-cold-open-snl-ryan-gosling-promo/) — and his first time since the “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch from Season 49 went absolutely viral. As we speculate over which sketches Gosling might bring back when he returns for Season 51, here’s your refresher on the *Project Hail Mary* star’s most iconic *SNL* moments. ![The Cold Open](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/the-cold-open-wordmark-2.png) Welcome to The Cold Open! This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you. Support independent news, reviews and more for **just $5 a month**. [Upgrade to Paid](https://www.theomnicosm.com/about/#/portal/account/plans) Includes full access to **Snackology** and **Popculturology**. ## The top 5 Ryan Gosling *SNL* sketches ### Papyrus “Papyrus” is a masterpiece of an *SNL* sketch. It’s been almost a decade since Gosling brought us this gem, but we’re still talking about it. ([*The Ringer* even did a deep-dive](https://www.theringer.com/2022/12/14/movies/saturday-night-live-papyrus-sketch-avatar-james-cameron?ref=theomnicosm.com) into how *SNL*, *Avatar* and Papyrus came together.) Has a host ever committed as hard as Gosling yelling, “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID!”? Gosling and *SNL* [produced “Papyrus 2” the last time he hosted](https://youtu.be/Q8PdffUfoF0?si=6%5FRbHuG8r8tcDhmG&ref=theomnicosm.com), but the sketch strangely didn’t air during the episode. ### Beavis and Butt-Head “Beavis and Butt-Head” is quite possibly *SNL*’s biggest breakout moment in years. Everyone was talking about this sketch. Gosling and **Mikey Day** [even walked the red carpet at awards ceremonies in character](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/ryan-gosling-snl-beavis-and-butt-head-sketch-making-1235915007/?ref=theomnicosm.com). If *SNL* tries to recapture the spontaneous magic of “Beavis and Butt-Head” tonight, we’re going to find out just [how important **Heidi Gardner**](https://www.theomnicosm.com/wait-snl-chose-to-not-renew-heidi-gardners-contract/) was to it going viral. ### Close Encounter Gosling isn’t the star of “Close Encounter” — that would obviously be **Kate McKinnon** — but he’s returned for subsequent installments of the recurring sketch on several occasions including the cold open [when he last hosted](https://www.theomnicosm.com/ryan-gosling-cant-stop-breaking-as-he-hosts-snl/) and [as part of *SNL50*](https://www.theomnicosm.com/fifty-years-of-the-best-times-of-our-lives-the-snl-family-looks-back-for-snl50-2/). ### Santa Baby I love this sketch. It’s an *SNL* sketch that I never pass up watching when the YouTube algorithm sends it my way. Gosling and **Vanessa Bayer** as a couple who become increasingly agitated as they demand to see what they believe is the real Santa Claus is a near perfect *SNL* setup. ### Italian Restaurant “If this weren’t Terrazano’s, I would beat you to death,” Gosling says through his best attempt to not break. I miss **Cecily Strong** being on *SNL*. Will we see Gosling have a big moment with **Ashley Padilla**, the show’s current female lead, tonight? ALSO FROM THE OMNICOSM Love what you’re reading? You might also enjoy **Snackology**, a deep-dive into the world of snacks, fast food and limited-edition treats. [Read the latest from Snackology →](https://www.theomnicosm.com/tag/snackology/) Already a subscriber? [Update your settings](https://www.theomnicosm.com/#/portal/account/plans) to add **Snackology** to your inbox. ## Honorable mention When you host *SNL* three times and you’re as good at doing so as Gosling, it’s hard to limit your hosting highlights to just five sketches. ### Levi’s Wokes Was this the beginning of the end of “woke” actually meaning anything? ### Jazz Monologue Thanks to *La La Land*, Gosling saved jazz. No questions. ### Weekend Update: Anthony Crispino and Angelo Skaggs Gosling isn’t afraid to sacrifice what’s usually a major breathing moment for a host and jump into the *Weekend Update* mix, pairing up with established characters like **Bobby Moynihan**’s Anthony Crispino ... ### Weekend Update: Guy Who Just Bought a Boat on Dating ... and **Alex Moffat**’s Guy Who Just Bought a Boat. [*Check out the complete list of SNL Season 51 hosts, musical guests and reviews.*](https://www.theomnicosm.com/who-is-hosting-snl/) ![The Cold Open](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/the-cold-open-wordmark-2.png) The Cold Open is a publication of **The Omnicosm**. Issue No. 48 --- **The Cold Open** is written and produced by **Bill Kuchman**. Copyediting by **Tim Kuchman**. Love what **The Cold Open** is doing? You can help keep the newsletter going by [becoming a paid supporter](https://www.theomnicosm.com/about/#/portal/account/plans). If this edition of **The Cold Open** brought you joy, [consider sending a tip](https://www.theomnicosm.com/#/portal/support). Get the full **The Omnicosm** experience. Add **Snackology** and **Popculturology** to your subscription via [your account settings](https://www.theomnicosm.com/account/). 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