Movies of War

Mar 7, 2026 9:00pm PT ‘SNL’ Cold Open: Colin Jost and Ashley Padilla Skewer Pete Hegseth Over Iran and Kristi Noem’s Firing By William Earl Plus Icon William Earl @beautifulbill Latest Variety to Host Next Generation Entertainment Podcast Brunch Presented by Google TV at SXSW 3 days ago ‘Suddenly Amish’ Mentor James Is TV’s Best Villain: Breaking Down His Wildest Moments, From Chasing a Contestant With an Ax to Cuddling His Cousin 4 days ago Anne Hathaway Was ‘Fully in Character’ on ‘The Odyssey Set,’ Even When the Camera ‘Wouldn’t See Her for Three Days’: ‘You Never Stop Working’ 6 days ago See All NBC “Saturday Night Live‘s” cold open took aim at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s bravado as the U.S. goes to war with Iran as well as Kristi Noem’s firing from the Department of Homeland Security after a string of debacles. Colin Jost played a revved-up Hegseth holding a press conference to discuss the U.S.’s growing military action in Iran. Jost’s Hegseth was typically pugnacious with the press corps that was almost entirely young white men in skinny ties. Related Stories Ryan Coogler Makes Actor Awards History With 'Sinners' as First Person to Direct Two Cast Ensemble Winners Catherine O'Hara Wins Actor Award for 'The Studio' Posthumously and Earns Huge Standing Ovation Jost entered with WWE bravado with his signature blue suit and American-flag hankie. He touted the success of the U.S. mission. “We’re trying Iran like the Breathalyzer in my car — we’re blowing it the hell up,” Jost said. Popular on Variety Jost’s Hegseth bristled when the faux reporters referred to the events of the past week as a war. “It’s a situation-ship. This isn’t a war.” He explained the military tactics in risque terms. “If it feels good we’ll keep going, if we get bored we’ll start hooking up with Cuba,” Jost’s Hegseth said. When pressed by a reporter if the U.S. was prepared to put boots on the ground in Iran, Jost’s Hegseth said those boots would in fact be “your mom’s next to my bed after I bang her.” Jost’s Hegseth berated the media and taunted, “You’re all playing chess — I’m playing ‘Grand Theft Auto.’ “ Sarah Sherman had a bit part as a Reuters reporter that Jost’s Hegseth dubbed “Jessica NoWonderI’mSingle.” He then declared himself to be “white Hamilton” and he changed the lyric to one of the most famous lines from the beloved musical: “Just like my country/I’m drunk, angry and horny/and they made me throw away my scotch. Jost’s Hegseth then introduced Padilla’s Noem as someone who had been “reassigned under the bus.” Padilla’s Noem came to the podium and declared, “I didn’t get fired. I self-deported.” Padilla’s Noem also skewered the former North Dakota governor for her penchant for glamming up and putting herself on camera. “As I told my plastic surgeon the work is never done.” The skit made fun of Noem’s infamous confession in her autobiography that she once shot one of her dogs (“You miss 100% of the dogs you don’t shoot”) and took dead aim at rumors that Noem, who is married, has had an intimate relationship with Trump aide Corey Lewandowski. Padilla’s Noem referenced that she will move on to a new role as head of the Trump-created Shield of the Americas entity. She said her new office “is at a WeWork space outside of Denver and it is spectacular.” The March 7 episode of “Saturday Night Live” marks the fourth time that Ryan Gosling has hosted. The musical guest is British band Gorillaz led by Blur frontman Damon Albarn. It’s the band’s first outing on “SNL.” “SNL” is a promotional stop for Gosling as he tubthumps his latest movie, Amazon MGM’s sci-fi epic “Project Hail Mary,” which opens March 20. Gosling last hosted “SNL” on April 13, 2024. Jump to Comments After Canal+ Shutters Showmax, Is the Dream for Cutting-Edge African Content Over? ‘Baywatch’ Reboot Casts Newcomer Thaddeus LaGrone as a Former Marine Turned ‘One-Man Rescue Machine’ UFC 326 Livestream: How to Watch Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2 Title Fight Live Online How to Watch Ryan Gosling Hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ Online for Free ‘Outlander’ Final Season Begins: Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan on That First Death and More Season 8 Premiere Revelations Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’ Remake Not Moving Forward, Director Carlos López Estrada Reveals JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...