Ryan Gosling fanboying over Chris Stapleton? Yup, that’s exactly how things play out in a hilarious new promo for Saturday Night Live.
Ahead of his third time hosting the iconic sketch comedy show, the 43-year-old actor showed his hardcore fandom for the “Tennessee Whiskey” country star. In the promo, the Barbie star dons a Stapleton T-shirt tucked into white jeans. In true method acting fashion, Gosling rehearses how he’ll introduce himself to Stapleton.
“Mr. Stapleton, big fan. Love your music,” Gosling says before deciding the intro’s too lame.
“Yo, Chris, one for the ‘gram?” Gosling tries next before ultimately deciding to go with, “Master Stapleton, ’tis I, Sir Gosling.”
Gosling, holding a mugshot of Stapleton and a Sharpie, opens the door and walks into Stapleton’s empty dressing room, save for Stapleton’s trademark straw cowboy hat.
“Hello?” Gosling asks before the lights slowly come on. Set to the tune of Stapleton’s 2023 banger, “White Horse,” Gosling zeroes in on Stapleton’s hat resting comfortably on a hat stand. Gosling is tempted to get his hands on the hat, and when he finally does, he throws it on and looks directly into the camera while slightly cocking it to the side.
Just then, SNL‘s graphic promoting this weekend’s guests appears onscreen, which, of course, also includes Stapleton as the musical guest. It’ll mark Stapleton’s second appearance on the show. And for good measure, the promo ends with Gosling winking at the camera.
Gosling’s The Fall Guy co-star, Kristen Wiig, hosted last week. And Gosling’s upcoming hosting gig will occur not long after his show-stopping “I’m Just Ken” performance at the 96th Oscars.
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