Hollywood star Glen Powell made his long-awaited hosting debut on Saturday Night Live, but it was his unexpected guest who truly stole the show. The Running Man actor brought his personal UPS delivery driver to New York City for the momentous occasion, finally proving a promise made four years prior was anything but an empty claim.
The Promise That Started It All
During his opening monologue on the 15th of November, the 37-year-old actor recounted the story's origin. He revealed he was originally scheduled to host the late-night sketch show back in 2021 to promote Top Gun: Maverick. "I was on a porch with my family, and we all lost our minds," Powell explained, describing the moment he received the initial offer. "We were all jumping up and down, celebrating."
At that exact moment, a UPS driver named Mitch happened to be delivering a package. Curious about the commotion, Mitch asked what was happening. "I was like, 'I'm hosting SNL!'" Powell recalled. "And he was like, 'Are you serious?' And I was like, 'Yep, Christmas episode, tune in!'" The pair even commemorated the occasion with a celebratory selfie.
A Dream Delayed and a Reputation on the Line
Powell's dream, however, was abruptly put on hold. "Top Gun got delayed because of COVID, so SNL had to take their offer back," he confessed to the audience. He shared that the show's creator, Lorne Michaels, had called him to deliver the blunt news that "without Top Gun, no one will know who the F you are."
This left Powell in an awkward position with his delivery driver. "For four years, this UPS driver was just going around saying, 'Glen Powell is a liar!'" the actor joked. The unfulfilled promise became a running joke at his expense, making his eventual hosting gig a matter of personal vindication.
Making Good on a Four-Year-Old Vow
Determined to clear his name, Powell decided to make things right. "So to prove to Mitch that I am not a liar, I flew him all the way to New York," he announced. Despite Mitch initially thinking the offer was a scam, he accepted and was seated in the audience for the live broadcast.
The camera panned to a smiling Mitch in the crowd before Powell invited him on stage. There, they recreated the original selfie, bringing the heartwarming story full circle. This marked Powell's official hosting debut, though he had previously appeared on the show in March 2024 during a monologue by his Anyone But You co-star, Sydney Sweeney.
