Nate Bargatze returns to host ‘SNL’ with Coldplay as musical guest

(NBC) — Season 50 is off to a hot start for “Saturday Night Live.”

Last week’s show produced the highest-rated season opener in four years. The show hopes to keep the momentum this weekend when comedian Nate Bargatze returns to host.

“Washington’s Dream” was one of the standout sketches last season on “SNL.”

“You know, we did it during a table read, it wasn’t as good in the table read, but then once we got a crowd here and, I perform, I’m used to performing in front of a crowd and so it went, it destroyed in the dress rehearsal,” Bargatze said.

And, the skit impressed the audience in the live show, making Bargatze’s first-time hosting memorable.

“I mean, I was getting like teachers have shown it to the kids in school,” said Bargatze. “And I mean, it’s still, every day I get tagged with that thing.”

Now, the standup comedian has returned for a hosting encore.

“You know, it’s a dream to get to do it once and now to get asked back, and now to be able to come in after doing it once and kind of take it all in kind of differently how I did the first time,” said Bargatze.

That’s because Bargatze says his head was on a swivel, especially when he saw himself on a monitor during his monologue.

“You just look up, and you’re like, you see what everybody’s seeing at home,” said Bargatze. “So, there’s a moment of that where you’re like, you’re like, golly dude.”

This time, Bargatze’s goals are modest.

“Not to blow it, that’s really it,” said Bargatze. “Yeah, it’s not for not to go bad. I think that’s it.”

Coldplay joins Bargatze as this week’s music guest. Coming up next week, Ariana Grande will be the host.