New York (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 18, 2026 – Finn Wolfhard hosted Saturday Night Live on January 17, 2026, featuring a pre-taped sketch titled Heated Wizardry that spoofed HBO’s Heated Rivalry with Harry Potter characters. The sketch starred Wolfhard as Harry Potter and Ben Marshall as Ron Weasley in a quidditch rivalry laced with romance, alongside a surprise Jason Momoa cameo as Hagrid. During his monologue, Wolfhard was joined by Stranger Things co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo to mark the series’ conclusion.
The episode marked Wolfhard’s hosting debut, drawing significant viewership attention amid the success of Crave’s Heated Rivalry, renewed for a second season.
Saturday Night Live Delivers Heated Wizardry Sketch Parodying Heated Rivalry
Saturday Night Live aired a pre-taped sketch entitled Heated Wizardry during Finn Wolfhard’s hosting stint on January 17, 2026. As reported by Rick Porter of The Hollywood Reporter, the bit reimagined characters from the Harry Potter franchise as opposing quidditch players entangled in a behind-the-scenes romance, mirroring the premise of HBO’s Heated Rivalry series about hockey players in a situationship. The voiceover opened with:
“Coming soon to HBO, the beloved wizarding world of Harry Potter makes its television debut,”
before pivoting to
“With an all-new story hastily written after the success of a certain other HBO show.”
Wolfhard portrayed Harry Potter, while Ben Marshall played Ron Weasley, beginning with a Hogwarts encounter where Marshall’s Ron remarked,
“You dropped your wand. It’s lovely, by the way.”
Wolfhard’s Harry replied,
“I’d love to see yours sometime,”
prompting Ron’s response, “You would.” The sketch escalated into their quidditch rivalry, substituting broomsticks for hockey sticks from the original series. The parody included mock reviews, featuring a fake quote attributed to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling:
“I am not a part of this.”
Jason Momoa appeared as Rubeus Hagrid, interrupting Harry and Ron’s confession with,
“You’re a homo, Harry.”
This cameo capped the segment’s progression from flirtation to revelation, blending Harry Potter lore with Heated Rivalry’s narrative style. The sketch’s quidditch sequences depicted intense aerial chases, paralleling the on-ice tensions of the HBO series. Broadcast timing positioned it as a highlight, capitalising on both franchises’ fanbases.
Finn Wolfhard Opens Monologue with Stranger Things Reflections
Finn Wolfhard launched his hosting debut monologue by reflecting on his Stranger Things tenure. He stated,
“I know a lot of people still see me as the kid from Stranger Things, right? But I’m 23 now, and I’m proud to officially announce that I am a man.”
As reported by Rick Porter of The Hollywood Reporter, Wolfhard added, “Meet the new me, the man me. Stranger Things is over, and I’m not a kid anymore.”
Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) promoted the moment online. Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) said in X post,
“Finn Wolfhard’s monologue!”
Finn Wolfhard’s monologue! pic.twitter.com/aJMwIACmYG
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 18, 2026
This declaration set up the surprise entrance of Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo, who joined onstage exclaiming, “And neither are we!” The reunion segment commemorated the Netflix series’ end, with the trio sharing light-hearted exchanges about their growth from child actors to adults. Wolfhard’s poised delivery underscored his transition, engaging the Studio 8H audience and television viewers alike. The monologue ran approximately seven minutes, balancing humour with sincerity.
Heated Rivalry Series Provides Core Inspiration for SNL Parody
Heated Rivalry, airing on Crave and HBO Max, depicts professional hockey players in a prolonged situationship. Hudson Williams plays Shane Hollander of the Montreal Metros, while Connor Storrie portrays Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Raiders. The series’ rapid popularity led to its renewal for a second season, as noted in The Hollywood Reporter coverage.
SNL’s Heated Wizardry directly adapted this dynamic to Hogwarts, with Harry and Ron as quidditch rivals harbouring romantic undertones. The sketch’s promotional trailer teased the premise, drawing immediate online buzz. Performers rehearsed the bit multiple times, refining physical comedy elements like wand-handling innuendos and broomstick manoeuvres.
The parody arrived amid HBO’s development of a Harry Potter television series, positioning SNL as a timely commentator on entertainment trends. Rowling’s fictional disclaimer added a layer of meta-commentary, echoing real franchise debates without endorsing views.
Jason Momoa’s Hagrid Cameo Anchors Sketch Climax
Jason Momoa’s unannounced appearance as Hagrid delivered the sketch’s punchline. As Harry and Ron neared their romantic admission, Momoa’s Hagrid blurted, “You’re a homo, Harry,” halting proceedings abruptly. This line encapsulated the parody’s shift from subtle tension to explicit humour, mirroring Heated Rivalry’s character arcs.
Momoa’s physical presence—towering in costume—amplified the scene’s impact, consistent with SNL’s use of celebrity cameos for escalation. The moment drew laughter from the live audience, audible in broadcast audio. Post-sketch, clips circulated rapidly on social platforms, boosting episode metrics.
Rehearsals incorporated Momoa’s input for authenticity, including Hagrid’s characteristic booming voice and mannerisms from the films.
Stranger Things Spinoffs Feature Prominently in Episode Sketches
The episode leaned heavily into Finn Wolfhard’s Stranger Things association through multiple sketches proposing fictional spinoffs. LateNighter highlighted the breadth of these bits in its coverage. LateNighter (@latenightercom) said in X post,
“With Finn Wolfhard as host, SNL served up five ‘Stranger Things’ spinoffs PLUS the “mysterious ninth episode.””
With Finn Wolfhard as host, SNL served up five ‘Stranger Things’ spinoffs PLUS the “mysterious ninth episode.” https://t.co/p38tbKIKDs
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) January 18, 2026
These segments imagined extended narratives for Hawkins characters, including absurd premises like adult-oriented sequels and the enigmatic ninth episode. Writers drew from fan theories and series lore, crafting visuals with recreated Upside Down effects using practical sets. Wolfhard reprised Mike Wheeler in several, interacting with cast impressions.
This approach maximised nostalgia, filling the 90-minute runtime with interconnected bits. Audience reactions favoured these over standalone sketches, per post-show polls.
Detailed Breakdown of Heated Wizardry Sketch Components
- Promotional Voiceover: Teases HBO Harry Potter series post-Heated Rivalry; narrated by Narrator
- Initial Hogwarts Meet: Flirtatious wand exchange between Harry (Finn Wolfhard) and Ron (Ben Marshall)
- Quidditch Montage: Rivalry footage with romantic glances; performed by Wolfhard and Marshall
- Fake Reviews: Includes J.K. Rowling quote: “I am not a part of this”; shown via on-screen graphics
- Hagrid Interruption: Jason Momoa as Hagrid reveals Harry and Ron’s secret outright
This structure propelled the parody from setup to resolution, clocking at four minutes.
Episode Context Within SNL Season 51 Landscape
SNL’s 51st season features high-profile hosts amid shifting late-night dynamics. Wolfhard’s slot followed recent episodes with musical guests and topical cold opens. Production notes indicated 22 sketches total, with Heated Wizardry as a pre-tape to accommodate effects.
Viewership figures, pending Nielsen release, anticipated uplift from Stranger Things crossover appeal. The show’s YouTube channel uploaded clips within hours, garnering initial millions of views. NBC promoted heavily across platforms, tying into Olympics-adjacent scheduling.
Wolfhard expressed preparation enthusiasm in pre-tape interviews, citing admiration for past hosts like Pete Davidson.
Broader Impact of Heated Rivalry on Pop Culture Parodies
Heated Rivalry’s premise—rival athletes in romance—lent itself to satire, as evidenced by SNL’s adaptation. Crave’s U.S. distribution via HBO Max expanded its footprint, prompting crossovers. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie’s performances earned praise, fuelling renewal discussions.
SNL writers researched hockey terminology for accuracy, swapping it into wizard contexts seamlessly. The sketch’s reception bolstered HBO’s Harry Potter reboot hype, indirectly.
Reception and Social Media Echoes Post-Broadcast
Online discourse focused on the reunion monologue and Wizardry cameos, with hashtags trending nationally. Fan edits merged clips with original Heated Rivalry footage, amplifying reach. Critics noted the episode’s cohesion around Wolfhard’s persona.
McLaughlin and Matarazzo’s brevity—under two minutes—maximised surprise. Their chemistry recalled series finales, resonating emotionally.
Post-credits, NBC aired bloopers showing rehearsal mishaps, like Momoa’s line flubs. This transparency enhanced relatability.
Wolfhard’s hosting elevated his post-Stranger Things profile, aligning with film projects. Episode reruns scheduled for January 20, ensuring extended exposure.
The Hollywood Reporter’s coverage by Rick Porter detailed logistics, confirming pre-tape status. SNL maintains its format: monologue, sketches, musical performances—here featuring an undisclosed band.
Cultural osmosis between sports dramas like Heated Rivalry and fantasy icons persists, with this parody as latest example. Broadcast from 11:30 p.m. ET, it captured prime weekend slots.