Photo: NBC
The ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast included multiple jokes about Morgan Wallen’s viral exit from the New York City studio during the latest show.
Wallen appeared as the musical guest on March 29, performing “I’m The Problem” and “Just In Case” from his upcoming 37-track studio record. Viewers pointed out the singer-songwriter’s unusual, abrupt exit from the stage. He opted to hug the host, Oscar-winning Anora star Mikey Madison, to say goodbye, though he didn’t appear to acknowledge any of the SNL cast members when he left the studio as the credits rolled. Wallen has not directly commented on the viral moment; however, shortly after the show, he shared a photo of himself getting on a plane, and wrote on his Instagram story: “Get me to God’s country.” Wallen has since printed the phrase on new merch items.
Actor and comedian Jack Black hosted the latest Saturday Night Live episode on Saturday (April 5), which included performances by Elton John and Brandi Carlile. SNL cast member James Austin Johnson was first to poke fun at Wallen’s viral moment on the show a week earlier. Johnson played President Donald Trump in the cold open, which included a surprise appearance by Mike Meyers. Johnson said in the sketch: “You know, no country is safe from my tariffs. I even put tariffs on an island that is uninhabited by humans. It’s called Heard and McDonald Island. McDonald Island. I’d love to visit there, right? McDonald Island. Can you imagine that? A Big Mac and a hula skirt. …Get me to God’s country, right? Remember that?”
Colin Jost was next to jest about Wallen’s SNL moment during the Weekend Update segment with fellow cast member Michael Che. Jost said as he kicked off the segment: “This was the worst week for the stock market since the summer of 2020. But you have to remember, back then, the president was also Trump,” he said, pausing for the audience’s laughter. “Just in the past two days, investors have lost over $6 trillion. Money is leaving the stock market faster than Morgan Wallen at goodnights.”
Wallen’s viral SNL exit took place as he gets ready to release his highly-anticipated record, I’m The Problem. It’s slated to release on May 16, the first day of Wallen’s three-day Sand In My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The release date also arrives shortly before Wallen’s headlining “I’m The Problem Tour” kicks off. The run of shows will include Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel as direct support, and Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson on select dates.