Ryan Gosling took the stage as host of "Saturday Night Live" for the fourth time on March 8, 2026, ahead of the release of his upcoming sci-fi movie, "Project Hail Mary." The Oscar-nominated actor was joined by musical guests Gorillaz, the virtual band led by Damon Albarn, who made their "SNL" debut performing songs from their album "The Mountain," released on February 27.

During his highly anticipated monologue, Gosling was surprised by an unexpected guest in the audience: Harry Styles. A visibly surprised Gosling inquired about Styles' presence, leading to a comedic exchange. Gosling then described "Project Hail Mary," comparing it to "E.T. meets Interstellar," highlighting its potential as a major cinematic event. The monologue took a musical turn when nearly all the "SNL" cast members, dressed in silvery alien garb, joined Gosling. He then transitioned from singing Styles' "Sign of the Times" into his hit song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie." However, the cast members humorously revealed they were there to get a better look at Harry Styles, not to help Gosling.

Gosling's return to "SNL" follows previous hosting appearances in 2015, 2017, and 2024, where he was notable for his inability to stop laughing during the Beavis and Butt-Head sketch. His new film, "Project Hail Mary," co-starring Sandra Huller, is set to open in theaters on March 20. The movie is an adaptation of Andy Weir's bestselling 2021 book of the same name, which was recognized as a New York Times Readers Pick and is currently available for purchase in physical and audiobook formats.

For viewers interested in catching Gosling's hosting gig or future episodes, "Saturday Night Live" airs live at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Those without traditional cable can stream the episode online. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, allowing access to a live local NBC feed. Alternatively, Hulu + Live TV provides access to NBC and other live channels with a three-day free trial. Peacock, the official streaming home of "Saturday Night Live," offers episodes live and on-demand starting the day after air, with a premium subscription available for $10.99/month. Peacock also provides on-demand access to all new Season 51 episodes and content from previous seasons. Looking ahead, Harry Styles is scheduled to host "SNL" and serve as the musical guest on March 14.