Pop Culture

Jason Bateman Jokes About Getting Attacked by a Chimp in 'SNL' Monologue

Jason Bateman opened tonight's 'SNL' and recalled a weird story about when he first hosted.

Saturday Night Live returned this weekend to continue its 46th season with host Jason Bateman and musical guest Morgan Wallen. It’s been a whole 15 years since Bateman’s last SNL appearance in 2005 alongside musical guest Kelly Clarkson, but it's definitely his first time hosting during a global pandemic.

After a rocky adjustment to new COVID-19 safety protocols, Bateman picked the SNL season back up following Dave Chappelle’s hosting gig on Nov. 7. The Ozarkstar kicked things off with a monologue that opened with him claiming he took the COVID-19 vaccine already. It then moved on to his last SNL appearance where he recalled a skit that involved a chimpanzee who threw waste at celebrities. While Bateman wasn't one of the celebs who was hit with feces, he shares a story about how the chimp almost bit him during the curtain call.

The latest season of Ozark, starring Bateman, racked up more views on Netflix than Tiger King. The Emmy darling continues to be one of the biggest original shows on Netflix’s streaming platform.

This was Morgan Wallen’s first musical performance on Saturday Night Live, after his originally slated debut was pushed after his violation of COVID-19 safety precautions. The country musician fumbled his first chance to appear on SNL alongside Bill Burr after going to parties without a mask and kissing multiple people the week before his performance. He later apologized, but Jack White replaced Wallen for that episode.

Bateman was one of the final hosts for the year, with only two episodes left before 2021. Call Me By Your Name and Dune star Timothée Chalamet is making his hosting debut on Dec. 12, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as musical guests. The final host will be SNL royalty Kristen Wiig with musical guest Dua Lipa on Dec. 19.

Related Stories

'Ozark' actors Jason Bateman and Julia Garner at the Primetime Emmys.
pop-culture

Here's How Netflix's 'Ozark' Season 3 Premiere Ratings Compared to 'Tiger King'

The third season of 'Ozark' put up big numbers in its first week-and-a-half on Netflix.

Gavin Evans2253 days ago
Ozark Season 3 Trailer
pop-culture

Netflix Shares Dramatic Trailer for 'Ozark' Season 3

Netflix just dropped the trailer for 'Ozark' Season 3, and it doesn't look life is getting any easier for the Byrde family. 

Joe Price2301 days ago
Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, and Jessica Walter of 'Arrested Development'
pop-culture

Jason Bateman Apologizes for Mansplaining Jeffrey Tambor's Verbal Abuse to Jessica Walter

Jessica Walter said Tambor yelled at her on set of 'Arrested Development'; Tony Hale has also apologized for his response.

juliarp2952 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App