Bad Bunny Mocks Fox News for Slamming Super Bowl Gig in ‘SNL’ Monologue: ‘You Have Four Months to Learn’ Spanish

Launching the 51st season of "Saturday Night Live," Bad Bunny began his opening monologue by directly confronting the announcement of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show and the conservative criticism it generated. He delivered his remarks bilingually, quipping about his excitement for the prestigious gig: "I'm very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it. Even Fox News." The program then showcased a satirical video montage, splicing together clips from the conservative network—which had earlier faulted the NFL for choosing a Spanish-language performer and referenced the artist's past statements about restricting U.S. tours over fan safety and immigration concerns. The clever edit twisted the anchors' dialogue to make them appear to declare in unison, "Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president."

Following the comedic segment, the mood shifted as Bad Bunny addressed the audience in Spanish, dedicating the milestone to the Latino community across the United States and emphasizing the enduring legacy of those who paved the way. He then lightened the moment by telling viewers in English, "If you didn't understand what I just said, you have four months to learn." This booking marks a cultural watershed; the Super Bowl halftime show is a worldwide spectacle that draws more than 100 million viewers and has grown into a premier stage for artistic diversity. As Dr. Elena Martinez, a pop culture historian at USC, noted, "Choosing an artist whose primary language is Spanish reflects a broader recalibration of American pop culture's mainstream, acknowledging the immense influence and purchasing power of Latino audiences."

Adding to the monologue's surprise factor was an appearance by "SNL" stalwart Jon Hamm, whom Bad Bunny affectionately dubbed "Juan Jamón." A shot of Hamm enthusiastically dancing at a past Bad Bunny concert cut to the actor seated in the Studio 8H audience, complete with sunglasses and a bucket hat. Jon Hamm, who became a household name for his portrayal of the complex ad executive Don Draper in the critically acclaimed drama "Mad Men," has maintained a close relationship with "SNL" since first hosting in 2008. His cameo highlighted the show's enduring tradition of integrating high-profile guests into its comedic segments.

The October 4th season premiere, which featured Bad Bunny as both host and musical guest alongside performer Doja Cat, also signaled a period of significant cast turnover for the long-running sketch institution. This year's roster welcomes new featured players Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Tommy Brennan. They step in following the departure of several seasoned cast members, including Heidi Gardner after an eight-season run and Ego Nwodim after seven years. Other exits include Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim, while writer John Higgins of the popular Please Don't Destroy trio has moved to the writing staff and Ben Marshall has been elevated to the main cast.

The show's October lineup continues with a series of high-wattage episodes that will challenge the new cast's chemistry. On October 11, former cast member and comedy icon Amy Poehler—whose tenure on the show from 2001 to 2008 helped define an era of "SNL" comedy—returns to host with musical guest Role Model. The subsequent week, on October 18, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter will pull double duty as both host and musical guest. This scheduling strategy underscores "SNL's" five-decade commitment to blending sharp, current-events humor with major musical acts, a proven formula that sustains its status as a live television staple.