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Elton John and Brandi Carlile paid a visit to Studio 8H to perform a pair of songs from their new collaborative album.
The longtime friends appeared as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live on April 5, with Jack Black taking on hosting duties.
Set against a starry, neon-lit backdrop with their names emblazoned on the walls, the duo opened with the rocking, 1950s-inspired “Little Richard’s Bible,” with John on piano and Carlile on guitar. Later in the episode, they returned for an inspiring performance of the title track from their new album, Who Believes in Angels?
John and Carlile wrote and created the album alongside John’s long-time co-writer Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt. Who Believes in Angels?, which dropped on April 4, features previously released singles “Swing for the Fences,” “Never Too Late” and the title track.
“As my Farewell tour came to an end, I knew I wanted to make a new album with Brandi, I wanted to shift gears and do something different from anything I’d done before,” John previously told Billboard of the project. “I have always found Brandi so inspiring, our friendship was so close, and I just had the instinct that we could produce something really amazing.”
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The iconic musician added, “Creating Who Believes in Angels? was challenging, and I had a lot of self-doubt, but alongside Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt, we ended up writing 10 songs in 20 days and it was one of the most joyous and exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”
This marked John’s first time back on SNL in more than a decade. He last appeared on the sketch comedy show in 2011, when he pulled double duty as both host and musical guest. Prior to that, he made his SNL debut in 1982. Meanwhile, Saturday marked Carlile’s third appearance on the late-night show.
It’s a busy weekend for both musicians. In addition to their SNL appearance, they will also host a one-hour concert special celebrating the new album. An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile will air on CBS on Sunday (April 6), featuring live performances, stories about the duo’s friendship, and an intimate look at the making of their new album.
Watch John and Carlile’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
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Saturday Night Live has left some folks scratching their heads and it wasn’t due to a skit. Keenan Thompson also feels Morgan Wallen’s exit was abrupt.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Keenan Thompson was asked about the country singer’s recent appearance on the sketch comedy show. As the episode was wrapping up with the cast and crew saying goodbye from the main stage, Morgan Wallen only said goodbye to host Mikey Madison. He then walked off the stage and proceeded to leave for his flight. Later on that evening, Wallen shared a message on his Instagram Story that read, “Get me to God’s country.”
At first, Thompson thought the musician just needed to relieve himself. “You see somebody before you get a chance to say hi or say good job or anything like that, they just dipping,” he recalls. “I thought maybe he had to go to the potty or something,” he said. “We’re so used to everybody just turning around and high-fiving us, everybody’s saying, ‘Good job, good job, good job.’ So when there’s a departure from that, it’s like, hmm, I wonder what that’s about?”
This is not the first time the cast has been left hanging during the closing of the show. The Fat Albert star went on to point that Prince once did the same thing when he was the show’s musical guest. “Prince did the same thing,” he explained. “I’m not saying Morgan Wallen is Prince, but we weren’t surprised because Prince was notoriously kind of standoffish. It’s just how he was. So we just thought like, ‘Okay, now he’s gone back into fantasyland.’” Nevertheless Thompson felt Wallen’s exit was peculiar. “But Saturday I guess it was just different because it just felt so abrupt.”
While Morgan Wallen has yet to clarify why he left without saying goodbye, many are speculating that the “Last Night” performer did that on purpose because either the series or New York City is a bit too “woke” for his liking. In the past, Wallen has made some questionable comments that were widely considered MAGA friendly. Back in 2021, a video of him surfaced online using a racial slur; he later formally apologized during an interview with Billboard. You can see him walking off from Saturday Night Live below.
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Fresh off the back of his early exit from Saturday Night Live over the weekend, Morgan Wallen has launched a new line of “Get Me to God’s Country” merchandise.
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Launched on Tuesday (April 1), the new merch options are rather simple, consisting of a white shirt and a hat, with the latter available in two different color variants. All the items feature the same design, however, with the Coors logo worked into a design which bears the words “Get Me to God’s Country.”
Despite the timing of the merch drop, the Club Wallen Instagram account has assured fans it’s not part of an April Fools’ Day joke.
The nascent run of merch comes just days after the phrase rose to prominence following Wallen’s early walk-off from Saturday Night Live. After performing a pair of songs from his forthcoming album, I’m the Problem, Wallen briefly joined the SNL cast at the end of the show, as is customary on the long-running sketch comedy series. He then whispered something into host Mikey Madison’s ear, gave her a hug and abruptly walked off the stage at Studio 8H.
Shortly after the incident, Wallen shared a photo on his Instagram Stories from his private plane, with the caption “Get me to God’s country” written over an image of the runway.
Given the somewhat mysterious nature of the phrase and the swift launch of the merchandise line, it’s currently unclear whether the slogan is part of Wallen’s new album, or something else entirely. The forthcoming record, I’m the Problem, is scheduled to be released on May 16 and features a total of 37 tracks, though only a handful of their titles have been released to date.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly following Wallen’s walk-off, longtime cast member Kenan Thompson said the incident was “definitely a spike in the norm.”
“We’re so used to everybody just turning around and high-fiving us, everybody’s saying, ‘Good job, good job, good job.’ So when there’s a departure from that, it’s like, hmm, I wonder what that’s about?” Thompson added, noting that Prince had previously done the same thing during his appearance on the show.
“I’m not saying Morgan Wallen is Prince, but we weren’t surprised because Prince was notoriously kind of standoffish. It’s just how he was. So we just thought like, ‘Okay, now he’s gone back into fantasyland.’”
Wallen is yet to publicly comment on the incident or provide information as to the meaning behind the phrase.
Morgan Wallen has left the building.
The 31-year-old country star appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 29, alongside host Mikey Madison, who won best actress for her role in Anora at the 2025 Oscars.
After performing a pair of songs from his forthcoming album, I’m the Problem, Wallen briefly joined the SNL cast at the end of the show, as is customary on the long-running sketch comedy series. He then whispered something into Madison’s ear, gave her a hug and abruptly walked off the stage at Studio 8H.
Soon after the incident, Wallen shared a photo on his Instagram Stories from his private plane, with the caption “Get me to God’s country” written over an image of the runway.
Billboard has reached out to Wallen’s representative for comment.
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During his March 29 appearance on SNL, Wallen performed the title track from his upcoming album and later delivered the post-heartbreak anthem “Just in Case.” I’m the Problem is set for release on May 16.
The singer-songwriter previously appeared on SNL in December 2020, performing “7 Summers” and “Still Goin Down” from Dangerous: The Double Album, which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Wallen was originally scheduled to appear two months prior but was replaced at the last minute for breaking SNL‘s strict COVID-19 safety protocols at the time. During his debut appearance, Wallen also appeared in a sketch poking fun at the controversy surrounding him when he was photographed partying and not wearing a mask in Alabama.
This week’s SNL episode follows Lady Gaga’s appearance on March 8, where she performed double duty as both host and musical guest. Past season 50 musical guests have included Tate McRae, GloRilla, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, among others.
In the upcoming weeks, Lizzo, Elton John, and Brandi Carlile are set to perform on episodes hosted by Jon Hamm and Jack Black.
Morgan Wallen returned to Saturday Night Live, performing two songs from his upcoming album.
The 31-year-old country star made his second appearance as the musical guest on March 29, joining host Mikey Madison, who recently won an Oscar for best actress for her role in Anora.
Dressed in a denim jacket, blue jeans and a baseball cap, Wallen opened his performance with the title track of his fourth studio album, I’m the Problem. Backed by a full band, the singer-songwriter delivered the song — which currently sits in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart — against a set design adorned with scrapbook-like photos and articles about the artist.
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Wallen returned later in the episode to perform his post-heartbreak anthem “Just in Case,” set against a more somber, dimly lit backdrop featuring a vintage television with the words “Morgan Wallen Broadcast Corp” displayed on the screen.
He previously appeared on SNL in December 2020, performing “7 Summers” and “Still Goin Down” from Dangerous: The Double Album.
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I’m the Problem is set for release on May 16. The new project follows Wallen’s successful albums, 2021’s Dangerous: The Double Album — which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — and 2023’s One Thing at a Time, which accumulated 19 weeks at the top spot. In anticipation of I’m the Problem, he has previewed several tracks, including the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Love Somebody,” as well as “Lies Lies Lies” and “Smile.”
This week’s SNL episode follows Lady Gaga’s appearance on March 8, where she performed double duty as both host and musical guest. Past season 50 musical guests have included Tate McRae, GloRilla, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, among others. In the upcoming weeks, Lizzo, Elton John, and Brandi Carlile are set to perform on episodes hosted by Jon Hamm and Jack Black.
Watch Morgan Wallen’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
Mikey Madison and the Saturday Night Live writers still have a little more work to do before the Anora star makes her hosting debut this weekend.
In a new promo video for the episode posted Wednesday (March 26), Madison sits in cast member Sarah Sherman’s eclectic dressing room and points out an intriguing prop: a dark-haired, bikini-clad woman sprouting eight wax candles. “Oh! The Anora Menorah!” Sherman says, revealing that it had been used in a scrapped SNL skit prior to Madison’s visit.
“Yeah, no, I heard about that!” the actress says excitedly. “Did people think it was funny?”
“Yeah, it killed,” Sherman replies unconvincingly after flashing back to a cringe-worthy clip of the cut sketch, in which Andrew Dismukes bombs while showing off the kitschy menorah. “Definitely, people were laughing.”
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That prompts Sherman to show off an entirely-different-but-not-really sketch idea for Madison’s episode: the Anora Fedora, the prop for which finds a similar figure of the Scream star piercing through a black hat. “You guys will have other ideas, right?” Madison then asks after a nervous pause.
Not featured in the teaser is Morgan Wallen, who will appear on Madison’s episode as this week’s musical guest. The country star — who is currently gearing up to release new album I’m the Problem on May 16 — previously made his performance debut on SNL in 2020, singing “7 Summers” and “Still Goin Down” from Dangerous: The Double Album, which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
This week’s episode follows Lady Gaga playing double duty as host and musical guest March 8, with past Season 50 musical guests being Tate McRae, GloRilla, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish and more. In the weeks following the March 29 installment, Lizzo, Elton John and Brandi Carlile will also perform on episodes hosted by John Hamm and Jack Black.
Madison’s hosting debut will follow a spectacular awards season for Anora, for which the leading lady won best actress at the 2025 Oscars earlier this month. The film picked up a total of five awards at the ceremony, including best picture, best director, original screenplay and editing.
Watch Madison’s new SNL promo video above.
It’s been a big month for Saturday Night Live between celebrating its 50th anniversary and featuring headline-making guests such as Lady Gaga, Timothée Chalamet and others. Now, the show is ready to look to the future. On Wednesday (March 19), the long-running sketch comedy series announced its next three back-to-back shows, featuring musical guests Morgan […]
Taylor Swift was only 19 when she hosted Saturday Night Live back in 2009 — about 14 years before she even met boyfriend Travis Kelce — but the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is still familiar with her episode of the show. The topic of the pop superstar’s long-ago hosting stint came up on the […]
Lady Gaga took some playful jabs at herself during the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live on March 8.
The 38-year-old pop superstar and actress, who was both host and musical guest, opened the episode with a nearly four-minute roast, making jokes about her role in Joker: Folie à Deux, duetting with R. Kelly, and her age.
“Anyway, I’m an actor now,” the Oscar and Grammy winner said. “I select films that would showcase my craft as a serious actor, films such as Joker 2. Apparently, people thought it was awesome. Joaquin [Phoenix] and I even got nominated for a Razzie, which is an award for the worst films of the year. So we won worst onscreen duo.”
Gaga continued, “But jokes on them. I love winning things. My Razzie brings me one step closer to an EGORT. It’s like an EGOT, but it’s hurtful.”
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Todd Phillips’ R-rated Joker sequel, starring Phoenix as the Joker and Gaga as Harley Quinn, earned seven Razzie nominations in 2025 after underperforming at the box office. The musical film took home Razzies for worst screen combo and worst sequel.
“Tonight, I promise to act, to sing and to not do Joker 3,” Gaga joked.
Gaga’s monologue also touched on returning to host SNL for the first time since 2013. “I know you might be thinking I’m here to promote my album, Mayhem, but I’m actually here to remind you that I’m an amazing actor,” she said, referencing her just-released seventh album.
“The last time I hosted SNL I was 27,” she added. “I’m 38 now, which is scientifically the best age for a female pop star to be. I see that most pop stars are over 40. Chappell Roan is 58. Charli XCX, she’s 75. Tate McRae is my biological grandmother.”
Gaga also poked fun at her 2013 duet with the now-imprisoned R. Kelly on the show. “I’m so happy to be back at SNL. The last time I hosted was in 2013 and every aspect of my performance aged amazingly,” Gaga joked. “So there’s no need to Google SNL 2013, Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly. I won’t bring it up because that would be bad.”
Amid hilarious sketches, the 14-time Grammy winner delivered high-energy performances of her new Mayhem tracks “Abracadabra” and “Killah.” Check out videos of the performances here.
Watch Lady Gaga’s SNL monologue below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
Lady Gaga brought mayhem to 30 Rock.
Just one day after the release of her seventh album, Mayhem, the 38-year-old pop icon and actress took on double duty as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 8.
The evening opened with a hilarious monologue where Gaga poked fun at her movie Joker: Folie à Deux and even referenced her previous SNL hosting debut in 2013, which featured a guest appearance by the now-imprisoned R. Kelly. Amid a series of comedic sketches, the night shifted into high gear as the 14-time Grammy winner delivered two electrifying performances from her long-awaited new album.
Gaga opened with an impressively choreographed performance of the dance-pop anthem “Abracadabra,” wearing a sparkly red ensemble and surrounded by dancers in black with long red wigs, who spun around her inside a small, neon-lit structure. For her next performance of the funk-inspired “Killah,” Gaga started off backstage at Studio 8H, before moving to the main stage for a full-on, colorful dance party with a live band. She ended with an electrifying finish, rocking out next to the drum kit in a fiery display.
Gaga’s SNL appearance arrived more than a decade after she first hosted the show in 2013.
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Mayhem arrives on the heels of a successful 2025 for Gaga, which saw her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile.” The song spent five weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, marking her second-longest-running No. 1 hit after 2011’s “Born This Way.” She also won a Grammy for best pop duo/group performance alongside Mars.
The new album features a diverse mix of production collaborators, including Andrew Watt, Cirkut and Gaga’s fiancé, Michael Polansky. In a recent interview with Billboard, she discussed the creative process behind Mayhem, explaining that its chaotic vibe was intentional.
“There have been times in my career where I had an idea in terms of how to conceptually approach a record. But I would say that this album, from start to finish, was like pieces coming together,” she said. “I did not want to turn it into anything artificial, I really wanted to allow myself to just follow the music. By doing that, it started to slowly remind me of my earlier work.”
Watch Lady Gaga’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.