Harry Styles Delivers Lackluster Performance on SNL

The pop star's second hosting stint on the show lacked energy and excitement, according to critics.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:33am

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As Dennis Perkins writes, Harry Styles' second time hosting Saturday Night Live was "kind of dull." While Styles wasn't bad, he was low-energy and failed to bring the impishness and versatility he displayed in his first hosting gig in 2019. The sketches and musical performances fell flat, with only a few standout moments from featured players like Veronika Slowikoska and Jane Wickline.

Why it matters

Styles is a global music star with a reputation for bold, gender-fluid fashion choices, so expectations were high for his return to SNL. However, the lackluster performance raises questions about Styles' abilities as a comedic actor and whether he can effectively translate his star power to the live sketch format.

The details

Styles' monologue referenced his "queerbaiting" reputation, but the rest of the show saw him delivering bland, competent but uninspired performances. His musical numbers from the album "Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally" were described as "wan," while the best moments came from supporting players like Slowikoska and Wickline in a drive-thru sketch. The post-monologue sketch featuring Styles' take on comedian Sebastian Maniscalco also fell flat.

  • Styles hosted SNL for the second time on March 11, 2026.

The players

Harry Styles

A global music star making his second appearance as host of Saturday Night Live.

Veronika Slowikoska

A featured player who delivered a standout performance in a drive-thru sketch.

Jane Wickline

A featured player who also shone in the drive-thru sketch alongside Slowikoska.

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What they’re saying

“There's nothing unlikeable in Styles' second hosting tour. But like the two wan musical numbers he performed from the oddly punctuated Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally , there was precious little to get excited about, either.”

— Dennis Perkins, Critic

The takeaway

While Styles remains a global superstar, his second hosting stint on SNL failed to showcase his comedic talents, raising questions about his ability to translate his star power to the live sketch format. The show relied heavily on supporting players to provide the few highlights of the episode.