Timothée Chalamet wants that Oscar

While we may not have been treated to an astonishing rap from Lil Timmy Timtwo-time Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet got to highlight his passion for Bob Dylan further in a “Saturday Night Live” episode that saw him do double duty as host and musical guest. Between sketches in the middle and back half of the show, Chalamet was backed up by singer/songwriter and record producer James Blake as he sang renditions of Dylan’s deep cuts “Outlaw Blues,” “Three Angels” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.”

Before he picked up his guitar and donned his smoldering gaze, however, the show began with a cold open featuring everyone’s (sort of) favorite musical theater impresario, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Poking fun at the kind of resistance liberal Miranda’s “Hamilton” supports, a sketch that begins as a thrilling re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence soon turns into a forum for Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) to spout nonsense and show off. Four more years of Trump in office may be a tough pill to swallow, but at least Johnson’s impersonation will keep us entertained during that time…if he continues to be allowed of course…

Fully embracing the fact that this episode of “SNL 50” was essentially the kick-off to the final leg of his Oscar campaign, Chalamet used his monologue to celebrate eight nominations received by his Dylan biography “A Complete Unknown”, including in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. In doing so, he also took some time to poke fun at the fact that he hasn’t really managed to win any awards yet despite being nominated numerous times by various voting bodies, and even offered to give an acceptance speech which the audience ultimately does. don’t stop hearing.

Based on current projections, Chalamet’s main competition at the Oscars is Adrien Brody for his performance in “The Brutalist,” but after it was revealed last week that post-production used AI to adjust Brody’s accent for a scene in the filmhis chances were put in some jeopardy (as pointless and silly as the backlash about this has been). With this in mind, it was hard not to see the AI ​​sketch from Chalamet’s “SNL 50” set as a subtle dig at its competitor. But even outside of that conflict, with this sketch, “SNL” became one of the few platforms to actually push against the techno-industrial complex and skewer AI for the stupid fad that it is.

The final sketch of the night has become a stop for some of “SNL’s” most out or dirty material (see Charli XCX Shrek sketch) and with Chalamet in the driver’s seat, they certainly did not disappoint. Written by Sarah Sherman and centered by her hilarious performance, “Grandma’s Birthday” begins as a wholesome gathering of family and friends, but quickly turns into a harrowing display of modern medical science. Chalamet’s ability, as well as everyone else’s ability to keep their cool when subjected to a new form of CPR, may contain some of the funniest reaction shots of any sketch in recent memory and dialogue that will either make you sick or cackle with disgust.

Chalamet’s musical performances can be seen below.