Glen Powell's Long-Awaited SNL Hosting Delivers a Four-Year Promise

After years of delays, Glen Powell finally made his "Saturday Night Live" hosting debut, bringing a heartwarming, viral story—and a special guest—to the iconic stage.

TL;DR: The Highlights of Glen Powell's SNL Debut

• Glen Powell's "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig was originally slated for four years ago, tied to the release of "Top Gun: Maverick," but was delayed due to COVID-19.
• During his monologue, Powell brought out Mitch, a UPS driver he'd taken a celebratory selfie with when he first got the hosting call, making good on a promise.
• The heartwarming reunion went viral, earning Powell praise as "sweetheart of the century" while the episode also tackled timely topics like AI and the Epstein files.

From a Porch Selfie to Studio 8H: A Promise Four Years in the Making

Imagine the scene: an actor, fresh off a career-defining role, gets the call of a lifetime—he's going to host "Saturday Night Live." The excitement is palpable, leading to a spontaneous celebration that spills onto the front porch. As fate would have it, a UPS driver pulls up with a package, becoming an unexpected, grinning participant in a selfie that captures pure joy. This wasn't just any snapshot; it was the start of a story that would take four long years to complete, culminating in one of the most talked-about "SNL" monologues in recent memory.

That actor was Glen Powell, and his journey to Studio 8H has been a winding one. Powell was initially set to host "SNL" several years ago, specifically for the original release of his blockbuster film, "Top Gun: Maverick." However, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into Hollywood's plans, causing repeated delays for the film. With "Top Gun: Maverick" pushed back, so too was Powell's hosting opportunity.

Lorne Michaels' Candid Advice and the Weight of Lost Opportunity

The postponement meant more than just a scheduling conflict; it carried a stark reality check. As Powell himself recounted during his monologue, "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels delivered a rather blunt assessment: "Without Top Gun," Michaels reportedly said, "no one will know who the eff you are." (Source: BuzzFeed, "People Are Calling Glen Powell 'Sweetheart Of The Century' After The Epic Stunt He Pulled On 'Saturday Night Live'", 10 hours ago).

This candid feedback highlights the high stakes for "SNL" hosts, who often leverage current projects for visibility. For Powell, it meant putting a lifelong dream on hold, unsure when—or if—it would ever materialize. The film, which eventually soared into cinemas in May 2022, finally provided the platform Powell needed, but his "SNL" debut wouldn't come until much later.

The Persistent "Liar" and the Sisters' Terrifying Tracking Mission

But back to that celebratory selfie. When Powell and his family first got the news about his original hosting gig, a UPS driver named Mitch was delivering a package. They included him in their joyous moment, telling him to tune into the "SNL" Christmas episode. When that episode never happened for Powell, he lamented, "So I didn't end up hosting, which means for four years, this UPS driver was just going around saying 'Glen Powell is a liar.'" (Source: NBC News, "Glen Powell re-creates selfie with UPS driver he told he was going to host 'SNL' in 2021", Nov. 16, 2025).

Fast forward to November 17, 2025, when Powell finally got his second chance, hosting Episode 6 of Season 51 with Olivia Dean as the musical guest. This time, he was determined to make things right with Mitch. His sisters, Leslie and Lauren, undertook what Powell lightheartedly called a "terrifying" mission: they tracked down Mitch's cell number. (Source: BuzzFeed, "People Are Calling Glen Powell 'Sweetheart Of The Century' After The Epic Stunt He Pulled On 'Saturday Night Live'", 10 hours ago).

A Heartwarming Reunion on the Iconic Stage

Despite initially thinking the offer was a "scam," Mitch flew all the way to New York City to witness Powell's long-awaited debut live from Studio 8H. During his monologue, Powell called Mitch to the stage for a moment that quickly went viral. The two recreated their four-year-old selfie, this time in front of a cheering audience.

Powell used the moment to share a poignant message, reflecting on his journey: "I had to wait my entire life plus four years to be here," he said. "But if I have learned anything, it's that the best things in life don't happen overnight, and no one knows that better than UPS." (Source: Variety, "Glen Powell Brings His UPS Driver to Crash ‘SNL’ Monologue: ‘He Thought It Was a Scam, But He Still Came’", Nov 15, 2025). This genuine display of appreciation resonated deeply with viewers, who quickly flooded social media with praise, calling Powell "sweetheart of the century."

"I had to wait my entire life, plus four years, to be here. But if I have learned anything, it is that the best things in life don't happen overnight, and no one knows that better than UPS."

— Glen Powell, during his "Saturday Night Live" monologue

Exploring the Diverse Humor and Critical Edge of "Saturday Night Live"

While Powell's monologue provided a dose of pure, unadulterated feel-good television, it's worth remembering that "Saturday Night Live" often navigates a much broader spectrum of humor. The very same episode that delivered this heartwarming reunion also featured sketches that poked fun at the growing cultural anxieties surrounding technology. For instance, an early sketch hilariously depicted the pitfalls of artificial intelligence.

The sketch showed an elderly woman overjoyed as her grandson animated old family photos using an AI program. However, the joy quickly turned to horror as the AI got "confused" by too much detail, animating images with absurd, disturbing, and often headless results. This stark contrast from Powell's monologue demonstrates SNL's enduring ability to balance endearing, personal moments with sharp, often critical commentary on contemporary issues, without always directly attacking Silicon Valley executives. (Source: Times of India, "SNL recap: Glenn Powell's maverick act, Epstein files, 6-7 meme and the day after Taken", Nov 16, 2025).

It's true that celebrity appearances on "SNL" can sometimes feel like calculated publicity stunts. However, Powell's commitment to a four-year-old promise, born from a casual interaction and fueled by genuine guilt, felt different. It wasn't a sudden, manufactured moment, but rather the culmination of a story that unfolded naturally over time. This authenticity is what made the reunion so impactful and memorable, cutting through the usual skepticism surrounding celebrity antics.

An Everyday Tale of Unexpected Connections

Imagine Sarah, a barista, serving coffee to a young actor who's just landed a small but exciting role. He mentions excitedly, "One day, I'll be famous enough to host 'SNL'!" Sarah smiles, thinks nothing of it, and goes about her day. Years later, she's watching "SNL" and sees that very actor, now a household name, deliver his monologue. He doesn't mention their fleeting interaction, but Sarah remembers. While her story doesn't involve a stage reunion, it illustrates how small, hopeful connections can echo in memory, even if one party is completely unaware. Powell's story with Mitch elevated this everyday scenario to a national stage, making it a powerful reminder of how far a simple promise can go.

The Enduring Power of Patience and Genuine Connection

Glen Powell's "Saturday Night Live" debut wasn't just another hosting gig; it was a testament to patience, the power of keeping a promise, and the unexpected impact of a fleeting moment. His four-year journey, marked by industry delays and a memorable encounter with a UPS driver, culminated in a moment of pure, heartwarming television that resonated with audiences far beyond the show's usual viewership.

The episode itself showcased "SNL's" versatility, from Powell's personal anecdote to its cutting-edge humor about artificial intelligence. It highlighted that even in an industry often criticized for being superficial, genuine human connection and a good story can still cut through the noise, leaving a lasting impression.

Practical Takeaways from Glen Powell's Memorable Night

• Good Things Take Time: Powell's four-year wait for his hosting dream reinforces the idea that patience can pay off, even for celebrities.
• Small Promises Matter: A casual promise made in a moment of excitement can lead to a genuinely heartwarming and viral story years later.
• Authenticity Resonates: In an age of curated celebrity personas, genuine moments like the one between Powell and Mitch create a powerful connection with the audience.
• "SNL" Continues to Evolve: The show seamlessly blends personal, feel-good stories with sharp, topical commentary on everything from AI to political scandals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glen Powell's "Saturday Night Live" Episode

When did Glen Powell host "Saturday Night Live"? Glen Powell hosted "Saturday Night Live" on November 17, 2025. Olivia Dean was the musical guest for the episode.

Why was Glen Powell's "SNL" hosting delayed? His original hosting opportunity, planned for four years prior, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also pushed back the release of his film "Top Gun: Maverick."

Who was Mitch the UPS driver? Mitch is a UPS driver who happened to be delivering a package when Glen Powell first received the call to host "SNL" years ago. He became part of Powell's celebratory selfie and was later flown out to attend Powell's actual hosting debut.

What other notable sketches were in the episode? Beyond Powell's monologue, the episode included a memorable sketch satirizing the flaws of artificial intelligence when animating old photos, and recurring character MacGruber made an appearance tied to the Epstein files.

Sources

• BuzzFeed, "People Are Calling Glen Powell 'Sweetheart Of The Century' After The Epic Stunt He Pulled On 'Saturday Night Live'", Mychal Thompson, 10 hours ago.
• Variety, "Glen Powell Brings His UPS Driver to Crash ‘SNL’ Monologue: ‘He Thought It Was a Scam, But He Still Came’", Joe Otterson, Nov 15, 2025.
• NBC News, "Glen Powell re-creates selfie with UPS driver he told he was going to host 'SNL' in 2021", Dennis Romero, Nov. 16, 2025.
• Times of India, "SNL recap: Glenn Powell's maverick act, Epstein files, 6-7 meme and the day after Taken", Aman Xess, Nov 16, 2025.
• Boston.com, "‘SNL’ recap: Best moments from Glenn Powell hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’", Kevin Slane, Nov. 15, 2025.