KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In an authentic, emotional opening monologue, Travis Kelce captured the attention and hearts of Saturday Night Live viewers.
He also quickly proved he doesn’t take himself too seriously, cracking jokes about his past as a reality star and his way with words on the field.
Travis Kelce's monologue! pic.twitter.com/ETJfAaELNj
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 5, 2023
His brother Jason Kelce, father Ed Kelce and mother Donna Kelce were all in the audience on Saturday night.
The Kelce family was all together, just as they were during Super Bowl LVII.
"I got to play against my brother Jason who is an Eagle," Travis Kelce said in the opening monologue. "And my mom was on TV more than both of us."
In the monologue, Kelce also showed off his best impression of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, channeling his inner Kermit the Frog.
But once his monologue wrapped, social media was ablaze with praise for the tight end.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas commented the episode is likely the highest rated in the city ever, and one of the Chiefs’ biggest fans in Hollywood chimed in, too.
@tkelce Funny
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) March 5, 2023
One particular skit was likely a dream come true for cast member Heidi Gardner who has not been shy about her love for No. 87.
KC Native and @nbcsnl cast member, Heidi Gardner, is a @Chiefs super fan. She's excited to see what @tkelce can do on the show tonight!
— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) March 4, 2023
Watch at 10:30pm, right here on KSHB! pic.twitter.com/WYimPTLUR7
KC native Gardner, who was recently named the 6th host of the Big Slick, pretends to have a romantic history with Travis in the sketch. However, when Travis introduces his fiancée, Gardner introduces her new boyfriend, who was played by special guest Jason Kelce.
How amazing is KC native Heidi Gardner? And we got a @JasonKelce skit! We love to see these brothers together. @nbcsnl @tkelce #snl pic.twitter.com/yev0yqphez
— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) March 5, 2023
Kelce had backup to support him through his night of hosting SNL.
While Kelce was with family in 30 Rockefeller Plaza's studio 8H, in one skit, he was alone at an American Girl Café, dining alone with two dolls, to the concern of staff and customers alike.
The Chiefs tight end also assumed the identities of an inspirational self-defense coach with some extreme methods, the token straight male friend and a "Too Hot to Handle" contestant.
As SNL came to a close, Kelce was sure to give a shoutout to Kansas City.
Thank you, @tkelce, @KelseaBallerini, and @JasonKelce. Goodnight! pic.twitter.com/cj7rLXI9kW
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 5, 2023
Kelce hosted the March 4 episode with musical guest Kelsea Ballerini.
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