John Krasinski kicked off the first Saturday Night Live of 2021 trying to go beyond its reputation as The office‘s Jim.
While the role in the NBC comedy brought Krasinski to fame, it appears to have followed him all the way to the Studio 8H stage, where he made his hosting debut. He began his opening monologue and expressed his gratitude for his debut – until he was interrupted by Alex Moffat, who called Krasinski “Jim” and asked about his relationship with “Pam” (Jenna Fischer).
The references to the want-them-or-just-romance of The office continued during the opening monologue, with others SNL cast members asking questions about the television couple. Ego Nwodim didn’t really have a question, but instead said, “Jim, you look different.”
“You have to stop it, Jim is soft,” Nwodim responded to the actor who said he was working out Jack Ryan. “When you touch Jim, your hand goes in like memory foam.”
Pelted by other questions about Jim and Pam, Krasinski found company in Pete Davidson, explaining his cast members’ strange obsession with the pair.
“I’m sorry about this, I think everyone was beaten in for a year The office non-stop, ”said Davidson.
When Kenan asks Thompson if Davidson is Pam, the SNL star says it’s worth giving the audience what they want – a kiss between Jim and Pam. Intrigued by the growing demands, Davidson and Krasinski share a hug.
“Kiss Pam, kiss Pam,” Moffat, Thompson and Nwodim sing.
Machine Gun Kelly was a musical guest for the Saturday night episode.
See Krasinski’s monologue below.
John answers questions from the audience about The Office and … basically just about The Office. pic.twitter.com/hhUs0Mcrqz
– Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 31, 2021