Lady Gaga made a significant impact during her hosting and musical guest appearance on the 8 March episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she took the opportunity to poke fun at the disappointing performance of her recent film, Joker: Folie à Deux. This episode coincided with the release of her latest album, Mayhem, which dropped a day earlier on 7 March.
The Joker sequel, which debuted in October 2023, faced considerable backlash from critics and audiences alike, leading to its designation as a box office failure. Gaga, whose full name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, referenced the film's struggles during her opening monologue, stating, “I know you might be thinking I’m here to promote my album, Mayhem, but I’m actually here to remind you I’m an amazing actor.” She further jested about her choices in film roles, sarcastically implying that they showcased her craft as a serious actor, specifically referencing Joker 2.
This film, which featured Joaquin Phoenix returning as the infamous Batman villain, received two Golden Raspberry awards, also known as Razzies, for Worst On-Screen Duo and Worst Sequel. Gaga remarked, “Apparently, people thought it was awesome,” before cheekily addressing the Razzie wins, saying, “The joke's on them, I love winning things.”
In a lightly mocking manner, Gaga expressed her ambition to attain an “EGORT” — a playful spin on the prestigious EGOT, for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award — adding, “My Razzie brings me one step closer to an EGORT; it’s like an EGOT, but it’s hurtful.”
The performance on SNL wasn't Gaga's first — she previously hosted the show in 2013 and has been a musical guest multiple times since 2009. In her opening remarks, she warmly welcomed the audience and made humorous references to her past performances, including a notable moment with disgraced singer R. Kelly. Gaga quipped about the “no need to Google SNL 2013 featuring R. Kelly” while wrapping up an anecdote. Kelly, who has been convicted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, was serving a lengthy prison sentence at the time of her appearance.
Gaga also shared personal anecdotes, including a brief description of how she met her fiancé, Michael Polansky, who had been introduced to her by her mother. She expressed excitement over her engagement and referenced how their relationship blossomed through simple conversations.
During the episode, she received enthusiastic applause and cheers from the live audience, evident in her shimmering silver dress and feathery shawl. Gaga showcased her versatility not only as an actor but also as a musician, revealing the anticipation surrounding her album, Mayhem. Critics have hailed the album, with some referring to it as a potential masterpiece.
In a moment that exhibited her playful rapport with SNL cast members, Gaga directed a humorous query towards Bowen Yang, another cast member, asking him if he was happy to see her. However, Yang prematurely introduced her as the musical guest, prompting laughter and a light-hearted commentary from Gaga.
Viewers and social media users reacted positively to her segment, praising her natural comedic timing and self-awareness. Comments on social media reflected appreciation for her humour during the SNL monologue, with fans expressing admiration for her evident enthusiasm and wit.
Throughout the episode, including her performances of songs from Mayhem, Lady Gaga effectively intertwined her multifaceted career — from music to acting — while also engaging the audience with her characteristic charm and humour.
Source: Noah Wire Services