‘SNL’: Willem Dafoe Pestered By Appleton, Wisconsin Couple In Opening Monologue

deadline.com:

Willem Dafoe tonight made his debut as host of Saturday Night Live, speaking in his monologue about his excitement about returning to New York, where his career as an actor began.“I moved here when I was 21, had no money, and rented an apartment on 10th and Avenue A for 200 bucks a month, and that’s where I learned how to act,” said the four-time Oscar nominee. “For example, I had to act like I enjoyed having a bathtub in my kitchen.”Dafoe recalled that he got his start in experimental theater, as an original member of The Wooster Group. “That background really taught me how to throw myself into a role,” he said. “Some people tell me that my acting is over the top, but to me, one man’s over-the-top is another man’s engaged performance.”Dafoe later spoke to the fact that he has “an expressive face” that he “can’t control,” which has contributed to so many of his iconic roles. “I don’t think about controlling it.

I’m not one of those subtle actors like Nicolas Cage or Al Pacino. Maybe that’s why people come up to me and say, ‘You know what role you’d be perfect for?

The Joker,'” he deadpanned. “Always nice to hear that you’vee got the vibe of a sociopath.”Dafoe then thanked SNL’s live audience for coming out for the show in the midst of a snowstorm, and was transitioning to speak about his childhood in Appleton, Wisconsin when he was interrupted by a preppy-looking couple, played by Aidy Bryant and Mikey Day.“You’re never going to believe this,” said Bryant, “but we’re from Appleton, Wisconsin, too.”“That’s nice,” said Dafoe. “You came here to support one of your own.”“Uh, no, no.

We got tickets from the lottery,” admitted Day.“Yeah, had no idea you were hosting, but we’re huge fans. We’ve seen all of your Spider-Man