Paul Mescal Pokes Fun at His Shorts Obsession with the Help of Marcello Hernández DuringSNLDebut

Mar. 15, 2025

Will Heath/NBC via Getty; TheImageDirect.com

Paul Mescal’s love for shorts has made it to theSaturday Night Livestage.

TheNormal Peopleactor, 28, poked fun at his well-known adoration for the fashion item during his first opening monologue on the show’s Dec. 7 episode.

As a way to introduce himself to the audience, Mescal (a self-proclaimed “proud Irishman”) jokingly cleared up “ugly stereotypes" about his culture.

“A lot of people ask if we wear kilts. No, that’s the Scottish. Traditionally, the Irish wear short shorts,” said the actor, whoshowed up to a Gucci fashion show in boxersthis past June, clearly poking fun at all the paparazzi photos that show him wearing the look, including the one that appeared onscreen.

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Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Cast member Marcello Hernández then walked onto the stage in a pair of tight, striped Adidas shorts and a business-forward button-up.

“I’m trying to be like you man. You like what you see?” said Hernández while slapping his thighs.

“Absolutely not. By the way, those are way too short,” Mescal replied.

“Well you know what they say Paul. The shorter the shorts, the taller you look,” Hernández claimed.

Mescal’s love affair with shorts seemingly began two years ago when he mentioned having an “extensive short shorts wardrobe,” in anInterviewmagazine feature — and his fans won’t let him live it down.

“They’re short — Lily, they’re sports shorts,” he began, trying to find the right way to explain his response to the child. “They’re not custom made for me to be short, they’re just very practical for exercise, and they’re great for running in.”

Paul Mescal attends the Gucci Men’s spring/summer 2025 fashion show in striped shorts on June 17, 2024.Jacopo M. Raule/Getty

Jacopo M. Raule/Getty

“I might next summer just like, have my bum [hanging out],” he said adding that he would “go for the hot pants next summer.”

In addition to his quip about fashion, Mescal’s debutSNLhosting gig also saw him put his own spin onCynthia Erivo’s viral “Defying Gravity” riff for aGladiator IImusical sketch — witch hat and all.

source: people.com