Will Ferrell and Lookalike Chad Smith Reignite Famous Feud in Unhinged SNL Finale Monologue
Pop culture's favorite lookalike "rivalry" is at it again. During the star-studded Season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live, host and legendary alum Will Ferrell leaned heavily into one of the internet's oldest running jokes by letting his could-be twin, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, hijack his opening monologue (the moment on SNL).
Chad Smith and Will Ferrell on SNL
Smith walked out onto the Studio 8H stage in full host mode, seamlessly mimicking Ferrell's exact cadence and mannerisms. The bit lasted about a minute before Ferrell stormed out from backstage to reclaim his show, acting angry and confused.
"You're not the host. I am. You're Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers," Ferrell yelled, before turning his mock fury on the cheering studio audience. "No, shut up! Shut up! Everyone, shut up! What the hell is wrong with you?! He pushed me down backstage, and I fell HARD. Lorne had to give me mouth-to-mouth! Seriously, what are you even doing here?!"
LOL Will Ferrell just had Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers pretend to be him during his SNL opening monologue
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) May 17, 2026
"No, shut up! Shut up! Everyone, shut up! What the hell is wrong with you?! He pushed me down backstage, and I fell HARD. Lorne had to give me mouth-to-mouth!" pic.twitter.com/tT6teViwWs
When Smith tried to excuse himself by claiming he was the night's musical guest, Ferrell promptly kicked him off the stage, reminding him that the slot belonged to music royalty: Sir Paul McCartney.
Paul McCartney on Season 51 SNL Finale
Attempting to salvage the monologue with a "hard reset," a visibly flustered Ferrell offered to take questions from the audience, immediately pointing out "the cute one right there" in the front row. The camera panned to McCartney, who brilliantly extended the joke by acting completely unable to tell the two men apart.
"Yeah, I have a question," the Beatles legend asked. "Whatcha think you're doing, Chad?"
The faux mix-up actually made perfect sense for the evening, as Smith was pulling double duty as the guest drummer for McCartney's backing band, filling in to play drums on Sir Paul's brand-new single, "Days We Left Behind."
With Season 51 officially in the books, SNL will enjoy a well-deserved summer hiatus before returning to Studio 8H for Season 52 in the fall.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 9:20 PM.