SNL viewers left unimpressed by Colin Jost and Matt Damon's 'cringe' cold open

Hannah Furnell & Kirsty McCormack & Jorge SolisSun, May 10, 2026 at 5:46 AM UTC

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Viewers were not fond of the Cold Open featuring Colin Jost and Matt Damon -Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited (Reach Publishing Services Limited)

Saturday Night Live viewers were not impressed on May 9 as the late-night NBC show kicked off with the Cold Open featuring host Matt Damon and Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost.

The latest episode of SNL saw Damon, 55, return as host for the third time, while Noah Kahan, 29, served as musical guest. During his second time as host in 2018, the Good Will Hunting actor poked jabs at Brett Kavanaugh, 61, during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing. And now, the Hollywood big shot lampooned the Supreme Court Justice for a second time.

The Cold Open started off with Jost reprising his parody of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, ordering "a shot of beer with a pint of whiskey" at the bar. This comes after the anchor mocked Hegseth's machismo and fitness obsession in a mock White House press briefing.

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During the Cold Open, Damon banged his hammer and ordered, "I find in favor of six Bud Lights and three shots of Jamo," referring to Jameson Irish Whiskey.

The host then showed Jost the drawing of "the new voting district of Tennessee" on a piece of white paper. Damon corrected himself, "Oh no! That's a field sobriety test. They told me to draw a circle," which drew laughs from the audience.

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Jost shook his head and said, "At least you knew it was a shape."

Matt Damon returned to Saturday Night Live to parody Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh -Credit:AP

Viewers took to social media to slam the writing in the Cold Open, arguing the sketch did not need Hollywood stars making cameos.

One person said, "This was just awful. I’m sorry. The writing is so cringe, I almost cried."

A second person added, "Imagine if SNL had a cast talented and versatile enough to play those roles without having to stuntcast celebs."

A third wrote, "I’m having a hard time laughing at these skits anymore. I am so disgusted with all the reality of what’s happening. I’m so angry and scared of what those people have done to this country and its citizens."

Aziz Ansari mocked Kash Patel again on Saturday Night Live

Despite the criticism, the Cold Open did have a fan who shared, "This was so great, especially the end with Thumbtumping! Once again, SNL never disappoints! Collin Jost, Matt Damon, and Aziz Ansari were great together!"

As the Cold Open came to a close, Aziz Ansari, 43, popped up once again as FBI Director Kash Patel, 46. The comic previously earned. rave reviews from viewers who loved his debut impersonation of the FBI director.

Ansari took out a bottle of his own brand of liquor and yelled, "I made my own FBI bourbon with my name on it! Yes! Somehow, this is a real thing! That I, the real FBI director, has made!" referring to Patel's reported stash of personalized bourbon, according to the expose from The Atlantic.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”