Jake Gyllenhaal sings Boyz II Men on 'Saturday Night Live's' Season 49 Finale/Photo credit: NBC
The Internet has erupted in joy and laughter when Jake Gyllenhaal gave the Saturday Night Live stage an unexpectedly strong (and maybe some would say, soulful) performance on last night’s episode.
Yes, that’s right. Gyllenhaal sang his heart out to Boyz II Men’s 1992 hit song End of the Road on SNL’s Season 49 finale during his opening monologue. The Brokeback Mountain star eased into the song, teasing the NBC comedy sketch for having him host the show before its upcoming 50th season celebration.
“When you think of historic television seasons, the first number that pops into your head is 49,” Gyllenhaal said.
“I mean, sure, you know, one more episode and I would have been hosting the premiere of the 50th season, but who cares?”
He continued, “I know we’re all waiting for Season 50, but you can’t get to 50, without a little bit of 49. And we’re here at the finale, the end of the road.”
As he sang, he divulged that there were a few celebrities who were asked to host this year’s season finale before he was, joking that he wasn’t the first pick.
“You know, I was actually SNL‘s first choice to host the finale after a lot of people said no,” the actor admitted. “I guess they’re all holding out for the 50th, but not me. I’m the one who said, yeah.”
SNL cast members Ego Nwodim, Kenan Thompson, Punkie Johnson, and Devon Walker then came on stage dressed in white sweaters, tan pants, and black baseball caps to join Gyllenhaal.
“We’ve come to the end of the road/ It’s the last episode/ It’s time to say goodbye to season 49/ You’ll be 50 soon,” they all sang together, looking similar to how Boyz II Men did in their End of The Road music video.
The intro musical performance became an instant sensation on X, fka Twitter.
“#SNL [I’m] impressed at how well Jake Gyllenhaal sang tf out of this Boyz II Men song as a joke. The boy got some pipes,” one X user wrote.
“OH MY GOD GUYS I’M LITERALLY CRYING!!! HIS VOICE IS SO F**KING BEAUTIFUL!!!,” another raved.
Someone else commented, “Jake Gyllenhaal was sangin’ lol #SNL.”
Although the finale featured other interesting skits, such as one with Gyllenhaal as Fred from Scooby-Doo, the End of the Road might be where memories this season lie.