Arcade Fire and an Overlong Weekend Update Steal Focus from Walton Goggins on SNL

Saturday Night Live returned with what should have been an exciting episode: Walton Goggins, the beloved character actor known for his quirky intensity in Justified, The Righteous Gemstones, and The Hateful Eight, made his hosting debut. Goggins, with his unique charm and offbeat comedic timing, seemed like a perfect fit for the live sketch format. But what unfolded on screen felt more like a missed opportunity than a triumphant night.

While the episode had its moments, two key components—an overextended Weekend Update segment and a double helping of Arcade Fire’s performances—inadvertently stole the spotlight from the host. Instead of letting Goggins take the reins and show off his rarely spotlighted comedic chops, the show leaned heavily into familiar elements, leaving little room for exploration or experimentation.

Goggins’ Potential, Wasted

Walton Goggins is a chameleon, equally capable of playing a Southern-fried villain or a vulnerable oddball. From his Emmy-nominated turn as Boyd Crowder to his gender-bending role in Sons of Anarchy, Goggins brings an intensity and unpredictability few actors can match. Hosting SNL could have been a showcase of his wide range.

But strangely, he was often relegated to supporting roles in sketches that lacked strong premises or comic structure. In the cold open, which spoofed the week’s political chaos, Goggins appeared briefly, overshadowed by Alec Baldwin’s Trump—again. His monologue was brief and safe, lacking the off-kilter humor that makes him so compelling. The few sketches where he was central—like the parody of a Southern cooking show—offered hints of brilliance, but even those felt underwritten or quickly cut short.

It was as if SNL didn’t quite know how to use him. Rather than crafting sketches tailored to his energy, the writers inserted him into generic roles that could have been filled by any host. That’s a shame, considering the creative gold Goggins has consistently delivered in much more complex and chaotic roles.

Weekend Update: When “Too Much” Becomes “Too Long”

Michael Che and Colin Jost usually deliver one of the show’s most consistent segments in Weekend Update, but this week’s edition overstayed its welcome. Clocking in at nearly 15 minutes, the bit felt bloated, jam-packed with recurring characters, overused political commentary, and punchlines that landed more with a thud than a roar.

While there were a few laughs—Jost’s jab at TikTok bans, Che’s cheeky jabs at Jost—many of the jokes leaned too heavily into predictable territory. Guest appearances from cast members playing weird news personalities added little freshness, especially since the writing leaned more on shock value than sharp satire.

What’s more frustrating is that the sheer length of Weekend Update seemed to eat into time that could have been spent developing better, more experimental sketches for Goggins. Instead, the show fell back on familiar rhythms, safe pairings, and filler.

Arcade Fire Brings the Energy—Maybe Too Much

Arcade Fire is no stranger to SNL. With their sprawling, theatrical sound and high-octane performances, they’ve become a sort of house band for a certain kind of alt-rock enthusiast. Their two performances on the night were visually engaging and musically tight, showing off their new material with flair.

But two Arcade Fire songs—especially ones that each run nearly five minutes—consumed a significant chunk of the show. One could argue that SNL is as much a music show as a comedy show, but on nights when the host is underutilized, the balance feels off. This episode in particular felt like a concert with some comedy sprinkled in, rather than a sketch show with a musical break.

Had the musical guest been more subdued, or had they performed just once, it might have allowed for another Goggins-led sketch, or at the very least, a more developed closing piece. Instead, we got a rushed final skit that barely landed, leaving viewers with a sense of something unfinished.

A Recurring Problem for SNL

This episode’s structure highlights a recurring problem with SNL: an over-reliance on brand recognition. Weekend Update and musical guests like Arcade Fire are safe bets, but that safety often comes at the cost of innovation. In a show built on the energy of live risk-taking, leaning too hard into what’s familiar can sap the life out of an episode.

Walton Goggins isn’t a typical host—he’s not a blockbuster star or stand-up comic. But SNL has always been at its best when taking creative risks, when it leans into the strange or unpredictable. Goggins offered that opportunity, and it was largely missed.

The Verdict

While Walton Goggins brought his usual charisma and a genuine willingness to play, the episode didn’t give him the space he deserved. Swallowed by an overlong Weekend Update and musically dominated by Arcade Fire, the actor was left orbiting around a show that seemed unsure how to feature him.

As SNL continues to juggle nostalgia, star power, and sketch quality, one hopes the writers and producers learn how to better balance their show’s components. Because when someone as unique as Walton Goggins comes through the door, it’s a disservice to let him leave without giving him the room to truly shine.