Pedro Pascal is hosting “Saturday Night Live” on Feb. 4, and it’s already not going well. At least, that’s the message in his first promo for his hosting spot, released Feb. 1. In it, Pascal is thrilled about hosting “SNL” and meeting everyone, and he happily looks around the Studio 8H space. But then he hears a mysterious noise and sees a shadow passing by. He searches in the dark of the studio with a flashlight before coming upon a clicker zombie from his hit HBO show “The Last of Us.” On the show, a devastating, worldwide fungal infection has turned the infected into zombies with a distinctive mushroom-like look, and they use clicking — aka echolocation — to navigate around.
In the promo, Pascal, a zombie-killing pro, picks up a hammer and moves to attack. But then cast members Sarah Sherman and Molly Kearney turn on the lights. “What are you doing you psycho?” Sherman asks. The clicker, she says, is their brand-new cast member Matt. “Not cool, Mr. Pascal,” Kearney says, and the two shepherd Matt away.
“Listen, I know it’s your first time hosting, but a little advice: don’t hit the cast members with a hammer, you maniac!” Sherman says. “Look, we’re gonna get past this,” Kearney adds. “But I gotta be honest: not the best first impression. Get better.”
“This place is nuts,” Pascal concludes. “I like it.” “SNL” also shared a video of Pascal and the clicker dancing together on Instagram, plus photos, from his read-through for the episode.
Pascal’s “SNL” debut comes amid a very busy time for the Chilean actor. The first season of “The Last of Us” is currently airing, and it’s already been renewed for season two. Plus, Pascal’s other hit show, “The Mandalorian,” is finally returning for its third season in March. The new episodes will continue to follow Din Djarin, the titular Mandalorian (Pascal), as he and Grogu — aka Baby Yoda — try to find their way in the wide galaxy. Pascal is also set to star in the upcoming series “My Dentist’s Murder Trial” with David Harbour.
As for his “SNL” episode, it seems likely the show will spoof his iconic roles on “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian,” as well as his tenure as Oberyn Martell on “Game of Thrones.” All three series have cemented his place as a heartthrob, and we wouldn’t be surprised if there were jokes about that, too. Ahead, watch Pascal’s SNL promo.
