Top 10 Hilarious Ryan Gosling SNL Moments

Hosting “SNL” for the first time in 2015, Gosling received a surprise visit from Mike Myers, who helped him to embrace his Canadian heritage. Gosling returned to Studio 8H in 2017, bringing a more confident persona, having “saved jazzed” with “La La Land.” Although he’s there to promote “Blade Runner 2049,” Gosling can’t get off his jazzy high horse, convinced that the music genre would’ve flatlined had it not been for him. While Gosling shows off the piano-playing skills he picked up from his Oscar-nominated role, we all know he didn’t save jazz. He saved it with Emma Stone, who drops by to remind her co-star that it was a joint effort. The monologue showcases Gosling’s uncanny ability to be hip and goofy simultaneously.

For all the good that’s come from political correctness, you know things have gone a little overboard when a clothing company can’t promote a pair of pants without fearing the wrath of outrage culture. Thankfully, Levi’s has devised an article of clothing that isn’t specific to one gender… or any gender really. Levi’s Wokes look like parachute pants if they were designed by pirates. Of course, if anyone can make this ridiculous ensemble look cool, it’s Gosling. He gets support from the “SNL” cast, cleverly sending up the quote-unquote “triggered generation.” Funnily enough, this sketch kind of predicted the future with Levi’s facing a boycott over their gender-neutral jeans line years later. Maybe that campaign would’ve gone over better if Gosling had given his endorsement.

Gosling is right at home in a classic film noir setting, although this premise brings a few surreal twists. Playing a fugitive on the run, Gosling gets some help from a chick. No, we’re talking about a literal chick - or hen to be precise - played by Aidy Bryant. Gosling has a knack for wearing a straight face while performing over-the-top material. When Gosling does break, though, it somehow makes the sketch even more priceless. Gosling stays in character for most of this sketch, bringing out the fugitive’s desperation and conflicted feelings for the hen he’s been lying to. Once Bryant pulls a gun out of his pants, Gosling can’t handle the sheer silliness of the sketch any longer, giving into his instinct to laugh.

Realities have collided in numerous crossover events as of late. This skit begs the question, “What if a character from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ got plopped into ‘The Wiz?’” Gosling shines as the empty-headed Scarecrow, who has a feeling that he’s not on his side of Oz anymore. The Scarecrow is fascinated by this new land, which is familiar in some respects with several key differences. For starters, in “Wizard of Oz,” the term “flying monkey” doesn’t raise any eyebrows. In “The Wiz,” you can feel everyone tensing up, and for good reason. Despite not making the best first impression, the Scarecrow earns everyone’s respect upon casually revealing that he helped smoke the Wicked Witch of the West. Now that’s cred!

This sketch again pairs Gosling with Aidy Bryant, although it may be even more uncomfortable than the hen love story. Gosling brings serious dad energy with a mustache, a plaid shirt, and a pair of khakis. Oh, and dad jokes, naturally! There are no boys at his daughter’s 13th birthday party. Fortunately for Bryant’s Melanie, she’s into men. One particular man, which is unfortunate for Gosling’s character. As the other girls point out how gross this is, Gosling tries to remain polite while setting up clear boundaries for his daughter’s friend. In addition to tearing down those boundaries, Melanie breaks the furniture and Gosling. We’d say that this is inappropriate, but the fact that Bryant was actually in her late 20s removes the ick factor.

Mikey Day, Alex Moffat, and Gosling play brothers in the house-flipping business. Filming an ad for their reality show, Day and Moffat try to come off as inviting, but there’s a sense of phoniness to their delivery. Anyone who’s ever watched a HGTV show knows what we’re talking about. Gosling also comes off as friendly, although his tone of voice doesn’t at all match what he has to say. Rather than talk about home renovation, Gosling’s Tristan unpacks his family’s emotional baggage in a drive-by therapy session. Their parents’ divorce has left psychological wounds that have likely only been intensified by Tristan’s substance use. We’d say that the other two brothers should’ve hosted this without Tristan, but then they couldn’t call the show “The Fliplets.”

In 2008, restaurant patrons chowed down on Tuscani pasta, only to learn Pizza Hut delivered. Nearly a decade later, other chains like McDonald’s have also pulled a fast one. “SNL” parodied this trend with Gosling and Cecily Strong among a group of diners who find out their Italian dinner was Pizza Hut in disguise. Where others see this as playful, Gosling and Strong behave like they’ve been personally victimized in an act of unforgivable deception. They not only question what they just ate, but who they are if Terrezon’s isn’t a real restaurant. While the giggles get the better of Gosling toward the end, he plays most of the sketch with an intimidating death glare that’ll make you say, “Let’s eat at Domino’s instead!”

Gosling’s intense side resurfaces in a disturbing sketch that’s best described as a Very “Blue Valentine” Christmas. Gosling and Vanessa Bayer play a seemingly normal adult couple that never stopped believing in Santa Claus. Under the impression that Saint Nick is at a holiday party, the two don’t just get excited. They get bizarrely sexual. When the party’s host tries to explain that Santa isn’t really there, Gosling goes from sensual to psychotic, turning a candy cane into a lethal weapon. If the host is going to survive this silent night, he’ll have to dress as Santa, nearly driving him to tears as the couple sits on his lap. In a twist, turns out Santa is real, but he won’t be returning to this house.

Since 2009, Gosling’s Steven has been haunted by the blockbuster “Avatar” and its questionable audacity to use the papyrus font. It seems inconsequential, but Steven acts as if he’s uncovered an earth-shattering conspiracy that nobody else recognizes the magnitude of. Gosling fully commits to the role and the sketch’s cinematic production values add to the unwarranted gravitas. James Cameron himself found the sketch funny, although he was surprised that “SNL” put so much time and energy into such an absurd premise. The “Avatar” director didn’t even know it was papyrus font when designer Peter Stougaard strategically chose it for the logo. Cameron stands by the font choice, but he owes Gosling a role in “Avatar 3,” “4”, or “5” after the turmoil Steven has endured.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Gosling Pulls off the Preppy Look Without Being Punchable

We Need to Know This Musician's Full Backstory

Gosling’s Gumdrop Should’ve Been Censored

A Strange Sitcom Episode Becomes a Very Special One When Gosling Drinks & Drives

The Mullet is Back, Courtesy of Gosling

As mentioned before, Gosling is at his best when he breaks, and nothing ignited the chuckles like the “Close Encounter” sketches. Gosling portrays one of three people who had an extraterrestrial experience. The other two are played by Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon, the latter of whom goes into graphic detail. McKinnon gets the most screen time, but when Gosling is on camera, he can’t contain the laugh riot within. The next close encounter proved even more challenging with McKinnon interacting directly with Gosling - face to butt. Even when he’s turned around with a hat covering his face, Gosling laughs so hard that he can’t stay still. One can’t help but wonder if McKinnon was tasked with breaking Gosling, although it’s not like he’s complaining.