Aidy Bryant Says the ‘Anora’ Hunks Might Be This Year’s Charles Melton

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Prior to Aidy Bryant’s anticipated comeback as host for the Spirit Awards this coming Saturday, she underwent an intensive on-stage training. As a member of SNL for 10 seasons, Bryant has recently concluded her lead role in the Broadway show “All In,” which also marked her debut on the prestigious “Great White Way.” She admits to feeling a bit apprehensive about the venture but expresses that it ultimately turned out to be an absolute pleasure, primarily due to her seasoned co-stars Andrew Rannells and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

She expresses her gratitude to Lin, who shared valuable advice such as hidden paths through Midtown and techniques she found challenging, especially the bows. In humor, once you deliver the best punchline, it’s time to wrap up – and you exit. Similarly, when hosting an award show, everyone is eager for the event to end. On Broadway, however, after the performance concludes, performers must return for a bow, which made her uncomfortable. Lin reassured her, saying it’s not about her, but rather giving the audience a chance to express their appreciation. This insight was helpful; she felt self-conscious standing there, as if she were modeling instead of performing.

Here, Bryant previews her second annual Spirit Awards gig.

Let’s reflect back on last year’s hosting gig — were you nervous at all?

I believe a significant part of me has been extinguished, yet I’m thankful for it. These days, very little manages to unnerve me. In contrast, during my initial SNL days, my hands would tremble or I’d feel sick. However, performing on the show erased all my apprehensions. I was anxious to stride across the stage in heels because I didn’t want to trip and fall.

What would you like to replicate from last year?

I aim to revive an idea that since numerous individuals are attending multiple award ceremonies, they’ll be subjected to a multitude of movie-related jokes. Therefore, I choose not to strive for covering every nominated film, but rather discuss entertaining or amusing subjects instead. After all, it’s a laid-back event where people are there to unwind and enjoy themselves – even day drinking. Essentially, it’s a festive occasion. Moreover, my longtime collaborators, Sudi Green and Fran Gillespie, will return to work with me again. I’ve written with both of them at Saturday Night Live for years, and they’re absolutely fantastic. Currently, Sudi is working on Loot, while Fran is involved in John Mulaney’s late-night show, which gives us a wonderful opportunity to collaborate once more, reminiscent of our time together at SNL.

Are you quite relieved that Emilia Pérez hasn’t been nominated, so you don’t have to address that subject in your speech?

Despite not closely following recent events, it seems as though the news is moving quickly and I’m picking up the general idea. I’m content to allow others to discuss those topics at other award ceremonies. This comment is directed towards Conan.

When you’re trying out jokes at comedy clubs for your opening monologue, just how much impact do the audience’s reactions have on the final written version of those jokes?

I often find myself eliminating elements from my stand-up routine that resonate with me, yet don’t seem to connect well with the audience. One such attempt was incorporating a joke involving Natalie Portman last year. However, the challenge lies in directing the humor at a random audience member instead of the actual Natalie Portman, which can feel somewhat awkward. As I reflect on its success and consider potential adjustments, I weigh the options. Fortunately, collaborating with individuals from Saturday Night Live allows us to make swift changes even during the performance itself, keeping the energy fresh and adaptable as we face the unpredictable.

Everyone loved the bit about Charles Melton’s hotness last year. Who’s this year’s Charles Melton?

In other words, Anora strikes me as quite impressive, and Yura Borisov is truly exceptional. However, there are numerous intriguing personalities in this year’s films, so I’m still pondering that. What I adore about this job is the research involved, watching all these movies. Film Independent certainly provides us with the resources. I did catch most of them in theaters when they were released – Janet Planet left a profound impact on me. It was incredibly moving. I watched it by myself during the day, and afterwards, I felt as though I needed someone to accompany me home. I was deeply affected. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Julio Torres, your former SNL coworker, is nominated for both Problemista and Fantasmas…

I’m leaving no stone unturned to help Julio emerge victorious, pulling every possible lever. If he doesn’t win, I might just cause a scene, but let me assure you, my affection for Julio runs deep. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been at SNL when he first began and to have contributed to his early works. Our collaboration on Fantasmas was something we had developed at SNL that didn’t quite make it off the ground. If only I had a comprehensive catalog of all the sketches that never came to fruition, I believe they would linger like ghosts in our memories.

What’s the most important element of your day-of-hosting routine?

Previously, I found myself detached while being at the beach last year. Contrastingly, this year, considering the recent fires, it’s comforting to know we’re headed to Santa Monica. Therefore, I aim to step outside for a minute or so at least. I don’t plan on confining myself to moving between my hotel room, trailer, and tent all day long.

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2025-02-22 00:54