Austin Butler.Photo: Emma McIntyre/WireImage
Live from Studio 8H — it’sAustin Butler!
During hisopening monologue, Butler paid tribute to his late mother, who died from cancer in 2014, when theElvisstar was 23. “Some of my favorite memories from growing up are watchingSNLwith her. And we’d watch every week,” Butler said. “And even though I had this crippling shyness, when I was with her, I’d just do anything to make my mom laugh.”
“I do ridiculous faces and voices, I did this ridiculous Gollum impression. Being silly with her is what broke me out of my shell and the core of what started me in acting,” he continued. “My mom is no longer with us, but I’ve been thinking about her a lot this week, just imagining how proud she’d be of her son, who used to not be able to order food for myself at a restaurant, is now standing on this stage.”
Added Butler: “And tonight, just know that anytime you see me doing a silly voice or making a funny face, that’s for you, mom.”
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Elsewhere during the show, Butler took part in various sketches, including one where he playedA Wonderful Life-esque character, and another where he portrayeda man during a white elephant gift exchange.
One other moment from the show sawCecily Strongreprise herCathy Anne characteron Weekend Update.SNLannounced ahead of Saturday’s episode that it would markStrong’s final appearance.
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Lizzo, 34, performed twice during the evening, singing “Break Up Twice” during the beginning half of the show, before later taking the stage once more to croonStevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” towards the end.
The Grammy Award winner replaced theYeah Yeah Yeahsas musical guest earlier this month after the band revealed they had todrop out from the gigbecause guitarist Nick Zinner has been battling pneumonia.
RELATED VIDEO: Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler Share Their FavoriteSNLMoment: ‘We Were Laughing So Hard Our Wigs Came Off’
Season 48 ofSNLcomes about as the comedy sketch series navigates a major cast shakeup. Longtime series regularsKate McKinnon,Pete Davidson,Aidy BryantandKyle Mooneyexited after theseason 47 finale.
PEOPLE thenconfirmedon Sept. 1 that the series was also losingMelissa VillaseñorandAlex Moffat, as well as featured playerAristotle Athari. Then,Chris Reddannouncedhis departure fromSNLafter five seasons.
On Sept. 15, NBC revealed the four new featured players joiningSNLin season 48:Marcello Hernandez,Molly Kearney,Michael LongfellowandDevon Walker.
SNLcreator Lorne Michaels recently calledseason 48 a “transition year,“telling reporters backstage at the2022 Emmy Awards, “There are new people, and things are changing, and a different generation comes into the show.”
SNLwill return in 2023.
source: people.com
