Entertainment SNL recap: Musical guest Tate McRae, host Shane Gillis, and cast member Jane Wickline ahead of the March 1 episode of ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Rosalind O’Connor/NBC

By Kevin Slane

March 2, 2025 | 10:07 AM

“SNL” returned to the air for the first time since its 50th anniversary special, with comedian Shane Gillis as host and Tate McRae as musical guest.

Gillis has an interesting history with the show, having been hired as part of the cast in 2019 but then fired only days later before ever making an appearance due to off-color jokes he made about Asian-Americans on a podcast.

“SNL” showrunner Lorne Michaels has said that firing Gillis was not his choice and he was “angry” with NBC’s decision. All hard feelings were buried when Gillis made his official Studio 8H debut last year, hosting the February 25, 2024 episode.

After bringing dozens of celebrity guests and former cast members to Rockefeller Center for its 50th anniversary special on Feb. 16, “SNL” decided to ask one of them to stick around for another episode.

Mike Myers, who reprised his “Coffee Talk” host Linda Richmond character on “SNL 50,” appeared as Elon Musk in the political cold open.

Myers’ impression occasionally veered into Austin Powers territory, with the comedian putting down his chainsaw just long enough to ask President Trump (James Austin Johnson): “Donald, what are you doing in my office?”

Check out the videos below to see highlights from the latest episode of “SNL,” including Gillis’ opening monologue, Tate McRae performing a pair of songs in her second stint as musical guest, and all of the guests visiting Colin Jost and Michael Che at the “Weekend Update” desk.

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