Honestly, watching a serious dramatic actor try to do sketch comedy is usually like watching a cat try to swim. It’s awkward. You feel bad for everyone involved. But then there’s Timothée Chalamet on SNL, which somehow turned into a recurring masterclass in "the art of being a total weirdo."
Most people see the "Wonka" star and think moody, jawline-heavy indie darling. On the Studio 8H stage? He’s basically a high-energy theater kid who drank three espressos and a Red Bull. It’s a complete 180 from Dune.
Why the Tiny Horse Sketch Still Matters
The first time Timmy hosted back in December 2020, we were all stuck in our houses, bored out of our minds. Then came "Tiny Horse."
It’s a bizarre, heartbreaking ballad about a miniature claymation horse. Chalamet played it so straight—with such genuine, teary-eyed intensity—that it bypassed "funny" and went straight to "legendary." He treats the tiny creature with the same dramatic weight he gave to Call Me by Your Name. That’s the secret sauce. If he winked at the camera, the sketch would have died. Instead, he committed to the bit so hard that "Tiny Horse" became a genuine pandemic-era fever dream.
By the time he returned for his second hosting gig in November 2023, the writers knew exactly what they had. They didn’t just bring the horse back; they turned it into a gritty, sci-fi epic called "Giant Horse."
It was ridiculous. It was over-produced. And yet, seeing him whisper-singing to a massive, evil CGI horse while wearing dystopian rags felt like the most "Chalamet" thing ever.
The Evolution of Smoke Chedda Tha A$$ Getta
You can't talk about Timothée Chalamet on SNL without mentioning the "Rap Roundtable."
The first time, he paired up with Pete Davidson to play "Yeet" and "Skrt"—two SoundCloud rappers who knew absolutely nothing about hip-hop history. Watching him shout "YEET" in the face of a bewildered Questlove was peak cringe-comedy.
Most guest hosts would do that character once and let it retire. But Timothée brought "Smoke Chedda Tha A$$ Getta" back in 2023 and then again in early 2025.
What happened in the 2025 hosting stint?
During his January 2025 appearance (where he also served as the musical guest—a rare "double duty" feat), he took the character to a new level. He didn't just rap; he glitched.
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- He played an AI-generated version of a podcaster alongside Bowen Yang.
- They used "bae" and "rizz" in ways that felt physically painful.
- The sketch highlighted his weirdly good physical comedy—lots of jerky, robotic movements and dead-eyed stares.
It’s funny because he actually can rap. We’ve all seen the "Lil Timmy Tim" videos from his high school days. By leaning into the "bad white rapper" trope on SNL, he’s basically reclaiming his own embarrassing internet history.
The Troye Sivan Moment Nobody Talks About (Enough)
In his 2023 episode, there was this specific sketch where Sarah Sherman is haunted by a "sleep demon." That demon? Australian pop star Troye Sivan.
Chalamet didn't just wear a blonde wig. He did the choreography from the "Got Me Started" music video. He even flashed the red undies. It was such a niche, specific impression that it shouldn't have worked for a general audience.
But it did. Why? Because it was fearless.
The real Troye Sivan ended up changing his profile picture to Timothée’s version of him. That’s when you know a parody has landed. He wasn't mocking Troye; he was becoming the "Australian YouTube twink-turned-indie-pop star." The commitment is what makes it work.
Breaking the "Serious Actor" Curse
Most Oscar-nominated actors come onto SNL and play the "straight man." They let the cast do the heavy lifting while they stand there and look handsome.
Timothée does the opposite.
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He wants the weirdest roles. He wants to play the doctor who revives a grandmother by farting in her face (yes, that really happened in the 2025 "Grandma's Birthday" sketch). He wants to be the guy at the barista training who just won't stop talking about "his lady" in a bizarre Def Comedy Jam accent.
He’s not afraid to look stupid.
The Musical Guest Pivot
When he hosted in January 2025, the stakes were higher because he was also the musical guest. He was there to promote A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic.
Seeing him transition from a sketch about a "Bungee Queen" exercise instructor (where he wore a long wig and went totally limp) to a soulful, acoustic Bob Dylan cover was jarring in the best way. It proved that he has the range to handle the chaos of live comedy and the discipline of a serious musician in the same 90-minute window.
How to Watch the Best Bits
If you’re trying to catch up on the best of Timothée Chalamet on SNL, don't just watch the monologues. The monologues are fine—usually him talking about growing up in New York or singing about the end of a strike—but the real gold is in the digital shorts and the 12:50 AM sketches.
- Tiny Horse / Giant Horse: Watch them back-to-back. It’s a cinematic arc.
- The Rap Roundtables: Look for the ones with Pete Davidson first, then the solo Smoke Chedda appearances.
- Troye Sivan Sleep Demon: A must-watch for the dancing alone.
- Barista Training (2025): This is where his character "Benny" just descends into absolute madness.
The takeaway here is pretty simple. Timothée Chalamet isn't just a "movie star" who happens to be on TV. He’s one of the few A-listers who actually understands the specific, chaotic energy of Saturday Night Live. He doesn't treat it like a press tour stop; he treats it like a playground.
If you want to see the sketches for yourself, most of them are archived on the SNL YouTube channel or streaming on Peacock. Just be prepared to have "There he is... my Tiny Horse" stuck in your head for the next three to five business days.
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Next time he hosts, pay attention to the sketches where he's not the lead. Even when he's just in the background of a "Dog Run" sketch playing a literal golden retriever, he's doing the work. That’s why he keeps getting invited back. He’s a pro who isn’t afraid to be a clown.