Jalen Brunson hosted the season 52 premiere of 'Saturday Night Live,' with his New York Knicks teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby appearing during his opening monologue, according to multiple outlets.
Variety reported that the monologue featured the teammates roasting Brunson, and that Kenan Thompson appeared in character as ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith before the players took the stage.
According to the New York Post, Brunson became the first New York basketball player to host 'Saturday Night Live.'
Deadline noted the episode marked the 52nd season premiere of the show and described it as a celebration for Knicks fans following a recent victory by the team, though sources did not specify further details of that game. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Katseye served as the episode's musical guest.
How each side covered it
Left
- Variety highlighted the roast format of the monologue among the Knicks starting five.
- Variety noted Kenan Thompson's appearance as ESPN's Stephen A. Smith before the players appeared.
- The Hollywood Reporter noted Katseye was the episode's first musical guest.
“Jalen Brunson’s ‘SNL’ Monologue Sees Knicks Starting 5 Roasting Each Other” — Variety
Center
- Yahoo Sports and Deadline both reported that Brunson's teammates joined him during the opening monologue.
- Deadline connected the episode to the Knicks' recent on-court success, describing it as a 'victory lap' for fans.
- Center outlets named all four teammates who appeared: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart.
“‘Saturday Night Live’: Jalen Brunson’s Knicks Teammates Join Him During Opening Monologue” — Deadline
Right
- The New York Post emphasized that Brunson made history as the first New York basketball player to host 'Saturday Night Live.'
“Jalen Brunson makes Knicks history hosting ‘SNL’ season 52 premiere” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What happened on Saturday Night Live's season 52 premiere?
Knicks captain Jalen Brunson hosted the episode, and his teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby joined him onstage during his opening monologue to roast him.
Why does this matter?
According to the New York Post, Brunson became the first New York basketball player to host 'Saturday Night Live,' marking a notable crossover between sports and entertainment.
Who was the musical guest?
Katseye served as the musical guest for the season 52 premiere, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Did other performers appear in the monologue?
Yes, Kenan Thompson appeared in character as ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith before the Knicks players joined Brunson, according to Variety.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- Rolling StoneLeft-leaning‘SNL’: Jalen Brunson Is MVP of the Office
- The Hollywood ReporterLeft-leaningJalen Brunson Brings the New York Knicks to the ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 52 Premiere
- VarietyLeft-leaningJalen Brunson’s ‘SNL’ Monologue Sees Knicks Starting 5 Roasting Each Other
- DeadlineCenter‘Saturday Night Live’: Jalen Brunson’s Knicks Teammates Join Him During Opening Monologue
- Yahoo SportsCenterKnicks teammates crash Jalen Brunson's 'Saturday Night Live' monologue
- New York PostRight-leaningJalen Brunson gifts pricey NYC cookies to hundreds of fans camping out to see him host ‘Saturday Night Live’