‘SNL’: Kristen Wiig, Lorne Michaels & Willem Dafoe Crash Will Forte’s Opening Monologue

Tonight on Saturday Night Live, longtime cast member Will Forte got his first opportunity to host, speaking in his opening monologue to his excitement about finally getting his moment in the spotlight.

“I was in the cast 12 years ago with Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen, so it was really fun to see Kristen host, then Bill, then Andy, then Fred, then Kristen again, then Bill again, then Jason,” Forte said, feigning irritation at being passed over. “Seth Meyers, I mean he’s one of my best buds, but come on. He wasn’t really a sketch guy…But he hosted, right?”

More from Deadline

• Kate McKinnon's Laura Ingraham, Pete Davidson's Novak Djokovic & James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump Volley In 'SNL' Cold Open

• 'SNL': Will Forte & Kristen Wiig's Country Duo Clancy & Jackie Reunite "After 12-Year Sabbatical"

• MacGruber Gets Alt-Right Covid-Era Makeover In 'SNL' Return As Will Forte Jokes About Renewal

John Mulaney, he went on to note, was a writer on SNL while he was in the cast, and he too has been asked to host—four times. “But hey, that’s okay! You know, I’m not bitter about it. I’m not,” Forte deadpanned. “Saved the best for last right? Saved the best for way last.”

As Forte relished getting his “time to shine,” Wiig appeared on stage, with the pair’s interaction quickly going sour.

“Hi Will, I am so excited you’re hosting,” said the SNL alum, to which Forte responded, “Not a good time,” encouraging her to leave.

“Okay, well back to North Korea,” Wiig joked. “It was really hard to get out.”

After bemoaning the fact that Wiig got more applause when she came out than he did, Forte picked up where he’d left off. “If I could just take a serious moment,” he said, “I’d like to say how much this show has meant to me. I started my career here and they’ve always supported me.”

As he spoke, the SNL band began to play, cutting him off. “I waited 12 freaking years for this. I mean, have you seen some of the idiots they’ve had host the show since then?” Forte complained. “Kristen, Bill, Andy, Fred.”

He then decided to take a question from the audience, with SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels appearing alongside actor Willem Dafoe.

“I’m so sorry, Will,” said Michaels. “There’s been a mistake.”

“Willem Dafoe?” said Forte. “You’re hosting next week!”

“I’m pretty sure it’s this week,” Dafoe replied.

“Oh my God, this is not happening,” said Forte. “Wait, you texted me to come host, Lorne.”

“I texted Willem,” said Michaels, “and you know, autocorrect.”

Forte then decided to have the audience decide who they’d prefer as host, with Forte polling at just 5%, as Wiig and Dafoe tied at 40% apiece.

Check out Forte’s monologue above.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCBKkX-AM80?version=3&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://deadline.com&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Best of Deadline

• Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows Ended Or Continuing In 2021-22 Season

• New On Prime Video For January 2022: Daily Listings For Streaming TV, Movies & More

• Winter Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.