Lady Gaga’s Playful Return to SNL: Highlights from her Monologue
Lady Gaga made a spirited return to Saturday Night Live as host and musical guest on March 8, 2023. During her nearly four-minute opening monologue, the 38-year-old pop icon and actress humorously reflected on her career, making light of both her past roles and recent projects.
Joking About Joker and Razzie Nominations
In a self-deprecating tone, Gaga quipped, “Anyway, I’m an actor now. I select films that would showcase my craft as a serious actor, films such as Joker 2. Apparently, people thought it was awesome. Joaquin [Phoenix] and I even got nominated for a Razzie, which is an award for the worst films of the year. So, we won worst onscreen duo.”
She continued her playful roast, stating, “But jokes on them. I love winning things. My Razzie brings me one step closer to an EGORT. It’s like an EGOT, but it’s hurtful.” This humorous take came after the Joker sequel, which saw Gaga portraying Harley Quinn alongside Phoenix’s Joker, received multiple Razzie nominations in 2025.
Reflections on Aging and Career Growth
While reminiscing about her previous appearances on the show, Gaga remarked, “The last time I hosted SNL I was 27. I’m 38 now, which is scientifically the best age for a female pop star to be. I see that most pop stars are over 40. Chappell Roan is 58. Charli XCX, she’s 75. Tate McRae is my biological grandmother.” The comments elicited laughter and highlighted her ability to embrace aging in an industry often fixated on youth.
Acknowledging Past Collaborations
Gaga also addressed her controversial collaboration with R. Kelly in a light-hearted manner, saying, “I’m so happy to be back at SNL. The last time I hosted was in 2013 and every aspect of my performance aged amazingly. So there’s no need to Google SNL 2013, Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly. I won’t bring it up because that would be bad.” This humorous approach underlines her journey and growth since that performance.
Musical Performances and New Album Promotion
Throughout the episode, Gaga showcased her musical talents with high-energy performances of tracks from her newly released album, Mayhem, including “Abracadabra” and “Killah.” Fans can check out videos of her performances on various platforms.
Accessible Viewing
For those wishing to catch her full monologue and performances, the broadcast can be streamed on Peacock, where viewers also have access to previous SNL episodes.
Conclusion
Lady Gaga’s return to Saturday Night Live was marked by humor, self-reflection, and a celebration of her evolving career in entertainment. Her ability to poke fun at herself while showcasing her artistry continues to resonate with audiences.
