“Saturday Night Live” got a dose of Norwalk, Iowa on its Nov. 18 episode. Norwalk High School alum Jason Momoa was invited back to host the NBC sketch show for a second time.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Jason Momoa,” the announcer said as he walked on set to cheers.
Momoa first hosted the program nearly five years ago while promoting the first “Aquaman” film in December 2018. The sequel, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” will be released on Dec. 22.
More:Want to spend a day in Iowa like Jason Momoa? Here’s where to go, what to do
The year’s hosting gig came one month after he came home to Iowa in a highly publicized visit.
Jason Momoa shouts out mom Coni, talks Iowa in ‘SNL’ monologue
Momoa began his “SNL” monologue by shouting out his home state and mom Coni.
“My mom is here. If you see her, be careful. She’s still recovering from giving birth to me,” the dad of two joked.
Momoa noted that he had always wanted to be a marine biologist. He is one of Hollywood’s most notable advocates for the environment and ending single-use plastic products.
“The problem was even though I was born in Hawaii, I grew up in Iowa and not really, ya know, not really known for their oceans,” Momoa said.
Momoa hosts after making headlines during Iowa return in October
Then, the “Aquaman” actor talked about how he left Iowa to return to his native Hawaii after watching his cousin Brian Keaulana in the 1998 film “In God’s Hands.”
“I was like, what the hell am I still doing in Iowa?” Momoa said of seeing the film.
Momoa discussed how his Hawaii return led to a brief stint on “Baywatch,” the show that catapulted him into a highly successful career in acting.
What did Jason Momoa say about his hometown — Norwalk, Iowa — during SNL?
The Nov. 18 musical guest was Tate McRae, a singer who found solo success in the music industry with her single “Greedy” after appearing as a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Momoa ended his hosting spot with a candid thanks to his hometown and the woman who raised him.
“All my love to my mother who introduced me to ‘SNL.’ Thank you, my mother, and everyone back in Norwalk, Iowa who watched this with me, you raised me on this,” Momoa said. “I was raised in the Midwest and I’m so proud of this show. I’m coming back, baby, I love you guys!”
‘SNL’ hosting gig caps jam-packed 2023 for ‘Aquaman’ star
Momoa has had a busy 2023. He recently released his premium spirit Meili Vodka, handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, with best friend Blaine Halvorson. He returned to the metro to promote the alcoholic beverage in mid-October for a pair of appearances at suburban grocery stores.
After reuniting with his high school girlfriend Lindsey Aaron at a meet and greet at his hometown Fareway in Norwalk on Oct. 16, Momoa hosted another meet and greet for fans at the Urbandale Hy-Vee later that day.
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.