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Bill Hader made his triumphant return to Saturday Night Live over the weekend. After eight seasons as a cast member, the versatile comedian returned to Studio 8H as host… and he did not disappoint. Hader not only brought back some of his old favorites (“The Californians,” his spot-on Alan Alda impersonation), but he also helped deliver one of the funniest sketches of the season with “Girlfriends Game Night.” That sketch was brilliant, but the unquestionable highlight of the night was the return of one of the most beloved Weekend Update characters of all time: Stefon.
The eccentric New York City Correspondent’s return to the Update desk had everything — laughs, NYC-centric CVS jokes, Roman J. Israel references, Billy Joel bits, etc — but the moment that had everyone talking was the introduction of Stefon’s attorney (and conceptual piss artist) Shy.
Who played Stefon’s lawyer on SNL? Who exactly is the enigmatic Shy? Stefon’s legal council was portrayed by former Saturday Night Live writer John Mulaney. A prolific stand-up comedian and actor/co-creator of the riotous Broadway show Oh, Hello, Mulaney isn’t just one of Bill Hader’s best friends; he’s also the co-creator of Stefon.
How does someone create a character as wonderfully bizarre as SNL’s resident travel expert? During a 2014 appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Mulaney said that the character was a combination of someone he knew in real life and a barista Hader encountered who would always cover his face, which, coincidentally, also helped Hader conceal his laughter when playing the peculiar club enthusiast. Stefon’s insane list of nonsense wasn’t the only reason the comedian always seemed to break while playing the character. Hader often had a difficult time keeping it together thanks to Mulaney, who would often add new jokes in-between dress rehearsal and the live show to mess with his friend.
Decider’s SNL recapper Larry Getlen believes the repeated Roman J. Israel beat and Stefon referring to Jost and Che as La La Land and Moonlight may have been a surprise additions to the live show. Based on Jost’s reaction to being called La La Land, I have to agree.
Hopefully Stefon dropping by the Update desk will become a St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
