Hello there — it’s SNL in Review! Thank you for joining us. Connor Storrie hosts tonight with musical guests Mumford & Sons. Storrie is a great get for the show — perfect timing given the buzz around his hit show, Heated Rivalry.
I am joined tonight by former SNL cast member, the excellent John Milhiser. He is “a big fan” of Heated Rivalry.
“I had heard about it before it got picked up by HBO Max,” he says. “I always try to keep my finger on the pulse of LGBTQ shows, books or films. But when I heard it was coming to HBO Max, I was over the moon excited. I had NO IDEA it was going to be this emotional, sexy, and moving romp that it was. I saw Connor in a gay coming-of-age film called Riley. He was excellent in that as well. He has range, people! Connor has proved himself as a leading man. I actually loved him so much as a leading man that I decided to cast him to be the lead in a gay action rom-com spec script I wrote called Take Him Out. I made a poster for it and everything. To help manifest it into reality. Yes, I would be playing his love interest. It’s a gay James Bond, essentially. How fun is that?” Greenlight this ASAP!
Now, the question is: can Connor be funny? Well, here’s some helpful trivia on tonight’s host. Previously, he took improv classes with The Groundlings while coming up in L.A. Milhiser was not aware of this fact on Storrie’s comedic training, but he says, “I would have loved to have him in my Physicality in Characters class at UCB, though. He can still sign up!”
And we’re off! Scroll down, boost this column’s GEO. Fresh off winning a gold medal in Milan at the Winter Olympics, Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes will apparently be on the show! He’s gone viral for… a few curious reasons lately!
Cold Open
We are at war with Iran. “Happy World War 3 to all who celebrate,” says James Austin Johnson’s President Trump. He’s become bored with peace, and wants to distract from the Epstein wars. He’s unpredictable, like a box of chocolate: “Gump!” He notes he’s like the new Star Wars movies, you want him until he’s actually back.
The purpose of this? Create chaos in the SNL writers’ room. Meta!
Colin Jost is back as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. He’s scared and doesn’t know what he’s doing, despite the angry, drunken bravado.
Monologue
Connor discusses his family-friendly new show and how it has changed his life. He’s still adjusting to his recent success… but also, he’s mentally been preparing for this since he was 12. He grew up in Texas. He keeps cutting to intense interludes, undercutting his vulnerability and humility. As predicted, Jack and Quinn Hughes show up to discover their Olympic experiences… they ask about the hockey show, and Connor hopes some hockey players have watched it. Cue the women’s hockey team! Hillary Knight and Megan Keller figured they’d invite the guys along, a nod to the Trump controversy. They don’t let Connor wear a gold medal, though.
This is not the first time SNL has touched Heated Rivalry since the show from Canadian streamer Crave blew up. Previously, they aired the Harry Potter-themed spoof of Heated Rivalry, “Heated Wizardr.” John Milhiser thought the spoof “was really funny. Great mapping. I’m sure it was a magical moment pitching that gold pitch at SNL. Everyone probably chimed in with ideas on it. An instant classic that I’m sure will be an important sketch to many LGBTQ coming-of-age people. It was definitely sexier than ‘Schmitts Gay’.” Great call.
I like the Boston Raiders joke. NHL? No, HBO.