WATCH NOW
Watch on the app
Bad Bunny turns SNL into a bilingual, culture-packed statement
Saturday Night Live, the longest-running comedy show on American television, kicked off its new season last Saturday night with none other than Bad Bunny, who turned Studio 8H into a bilingual celebration, a cultural statement, and a sharp political jab at his critics. The Puerto Rican superstar just hosted this time around, making his fourth appearance on the iconic show and setting the tone for a season that started with laughter, pride, and unapologetic Latinidad.
View this post on Instagram
“You’ve got four months to learn Spanish”: the monologue moment
During his opening monologue, Bad Bunny addressed the controversy surrounding his upcoming 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. Ever since the announcement, conservative MAGA supporters had criticized the choice, calling it an insult to football fans because the artist sings primarily in Spanish.
Bad Bunny didn’t shy away. With his trademark mix of humor and confidence, he faced the backlash head-on. “Maybe you don’t know,” he said, “but I’m performing at the Super Bowl and I’m very happy. I think everyone’s happy about it… even Fox News!” He then introduced a hilarious pre-edited video showing Fox News hosts praising him with fake quotes like, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and should be the next president.”
Moments later, the tone shifted. He switched to Spanish for a heartfelt message directed at his community: “Especially to all the Latinos around the world and here in the United States. To all the people who worked to open doors. More than my achievement, this is an achievement for all of us, showing that our hard work in this country will never be erased or taken away.”
Then came the punchline, both funny and powerful: “And if you didn’t understand what I just said,” he smirked, “you’ve got four months to learn Spanish!”
View this post on Instagram
The audience roared with laughter and applause, making it one of the night’s most viral moments. It was a perfect mix of humor, pride, and cultural assertion, quintessential Bad Bunny.
El Chavo del 8 sketch became the night’s nostalgic hit
In one of the most talked-about sketches of the night, Bad Bunny transported audiences straight to the colorful neighborhood of El Chavo del 8, the beloved Mexican sitcom created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños, known as Chespirito. Rather than parodying the show, SNL treated it as an affectionate homage, complete with laugh tracks, slapstick humor, and perfectly recreated sets.
Marcello Hernández starred as El Chavo, Sarah Sherman as La Chilindrina, and Bad Bunny transformed into an exaggerated version of Quico, complete with puffed cheeks, a sailor suit, and the high-pitched whine that Latin American audiences know so well. Andrew Dismukes played Don Ramón, Chloe Fineman appeared as Doña Florinda, and Kenan Thompson delivered an Americanized take as “Mr. Stomach,” a twist on the original Señor Barriga. The sketch ended with a surprise cameo from Jon Hamm as Professor Jirafales.
Mostly in English but sprinkled with Spanish expressions, the four-minute segment became a nostalgic highlight for Latino viewers and a cultural education for non-Spanish speakers. From cachetadas (slaps) to pastelazos (pie-in-the-face gags), the sketch captured the heart of Chespirito’s legacy while infusing it with SNL’s signature absurdity.
View this post on Instagram
A Night of Laughs, Culture, and Statement-Making
Throughout the episode, Bad Bunny’s bilingual humor and cultural references ran like a thread through multiple sketches. One memorable bit mocked the confusion of English speakers learning Spanish gender rules, while another spoofed the quiz show Jeopardy, replacing questions with hilarious mistranslations and Spanglish mix-ups.
Bad Bunny also poked fun at himself, and SNL’s own dynamics, joking about fellow cast member Marcello Hernández: “I think Marcello’s getting nervous that Lorne [Michaels] might have a new Latino favorite,” he said, turning to the camera. Hernández, without missing a beat, responded: “Yeah, I am.”
View this post on Instagram
The mix of humor, cultural pride, and satire made for one of SNL’s most memorable premieres in recent years. Even the show’s musical guest, Doja Cat, couldn’t steal all the attention from Bad Bunny’s effortless charisma.
As the night ended, one thing was clear: Bad Bunny wasn’t just hosting a comedy show, he was redefining what representation looks like on one of America’s biggest stages. With every joke, every word in Spanish, and every wink to his critics, he reminded viewers everywhere that Latin culture doesn’t just belong in the room, it owns it.
for the latest updates from LatiNation