Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page unexpectedly shined as SNL host

The A.V. Club

For somebody who gained worldwide fame less than two months ago when Bridgerton premiered on Netflix, the British-Zimbabwean actor had a smooth time hosting Saturday Night Live. "Page, who was in every sketch but the cold open and Update, was the sort of unexpected pick that paid off in professionalism, stage awareness, and simple ease of talent," says Dennis Perkins. "The monologue saw Aidy, Ego, and Chloe all taking turns swooning over the guy, but it’s not like you can blame them when he keeps turning to the camera to croon 'Unchained Melody' at them. (Oh, Page can sing, too.) The show wasn’t exactly great—SNL continues the grand tradition of refusing to let a single joke go by unexplained—but Page and an energetic and ensemble feel (here’s to Ego Nwodim, Andrew Dismukes, and Chloe Fineman’s center-stage turns all night) kept things humming along with some energy and originality."

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