The end of the 117-day SAG-AFTRA strike has brought a wave of relief for Hollywood, and for actor Timothee Chalamet, the timing couldn’t be more perfect with the release of “Wonka” just around the corner. The 27-year-old actor shared his elation in a promotional clip for the upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live, where he served as the host alongside musical guest Boygenius.
In the SNL promo, Chalamet kicks off with a casual introduction, “I’m Timothee Chalamet, and I’m hosting SNL this week with Boygenius!” However, his excitement takes a humorous turn when he interrupts co-host Bowen Yang with an exuberant shout of “Willy Wonka!” leaving the comedian momentarily puzzled. Chalamet, grinning, clarifies, “‘The actor’s strike has ended; I can finally promote my movie.” The exchange continues with Yang’s congratulatory response and Chalamet’s playful repetition, “Willy Wonka! Chocolate chocolate man!”
In another promo, the members of Boygenius, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, discuss their upcoming performance on SNL. Expressing their enthusiasm, they assure viewers, “It’s going to be a blast.” Chalamet, ever inquisitive, queries if “being sad” is their signature theme, to which Julien Baker playfully responds, “Just our music. In real life, we’re quite happy people.”
The palpable enthusiasm from Chalamet and the SNL team follows the recent resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, marked by a tentative agreement with the studios. The union’s negotiators, having voted unanimously, are now seeking approval from the national board for “review and consideration,” according to an official statement.
The strike, which commenced on July 14, had been a vocal demand for equal pay for actors and had brought attention to the industry’s use of artificial intelligence in movies, a concern that could impact the job security of film crew members.
As Hollywood breathes a collective sigh of relief with the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Timothee Chalamet and his co-hosts on SNL are ready to bring their A-game, signaling a return to normalcy in the entertainment industry. Chalamet’s playful banter and the infectious excitement surrounding the upcoming episode underscore the resilience and creativity that continue to drive the world of entertainment forward.
