Ep 7. Ryan Gosling / Leon Bridges

Ryan Gosling takes the helm as host for the seventh episode of the forty-first season of Saturday Night Live. Joining him is soul singer Leon Bridges, who will serve as the musical guest for the evening.

The anticipation for this episode is high, especially with Gosling's growing popularity from his recent films such as Blade Runner 2049 and La La Land. Fans are excited to see what the seasoned actor will bring to the SNL stage with his charming, quick-witted personality.

The cold open of the show features Alec Baldwin returning to his role as President Donald Trump in a sketch that parodies the President’s announcement of declaring a national emergency before the construction of a border wall on the southern US border. Among the other impressions featured in the sketch include Melissa McCarthy's return as former Press Secretary Sean Spicer, along with Kate McKinnon's portrayal of Rudy Giuliani.

Following the cold open, Gosling takes the stage and delivers a monologue that showcases his improv skills. The actor improvises his monologue, garnering a lot of laughs from the studio audience.

One of the standout sketches of the night is "Papyrus," where Gosling portrays a man who becomes increasingly agitated by the ubiquitous use of the font Papyrus in the design of the Avatar movie. The sketch is both hilarious and relatable, as it pokes fun at the overuse of the font.

Another sketch that is likely to be a fan favorite is "Another Close Encounter," a spoof of the hit Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale. The sketch features Gosling, Cecily Strong, and Kate McKinnon as survivors of an alien invasion that resemble the handmaids in the dystopian drama. The sketch manages to be both funny and poignant, highlighting the themes of the series with a comedic twist.

The musical guest for the evening, Leon Bridges, brings his smooth, soulful sound to the SNL stage. The singer performs “Smooth Sailin’” and “River,” both from his debut album Coming Home, showcasing his impressive vocal range and retro-inspired sound.

The weekend update segment provides a humorous commentary on current events, covering topics such as Donald Trump's Twitter activity, the recent tension in the White House, and the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Colin Jost and Michael Che deliver their jokes with sharp wit, making for a segment that is both funny and informative.

Further sketches throughout the evening poke fun at hipster bars, alien abductions, and UPS deliveries gone wrong. Gosling proves to be an excellent host, bringing his infectious energy and comedic prowess to every sketch he appears in.

Overall, the Ryan Gosling/Leon Bridges episode of Saturday Night Live is a hit. The show manages to stay timely and relevant while delivering plenty of laughs throughout the entire episode. Fans of the actor and those who enjoy the variety show will not be disappointed by this episode.