Glen Powell experienced the fulfillment of a long-cherished ambition this past weekend when he finally got the opportunity to step onto the legendary stage of “Saturday Night Live” as its host. For the 37-year-old actor, the moment was not only a professional triumph but also carried a personal and unexpectedly touching dimension, owing to the attendance of a particularly meaningful guest — Mitch, a UPS driver whose brief but memorable encounter with Powell had become part of the actor’s journey toward this very evening.
During his opening monologue, Powell recounted to the live audience that his invitation to host the beloved late-night comedy program was not a recent development. In fact, his first chance at the honor had arisen nearly four years earlier, timed to coincide with what was supposed to be the original theatrical release of “Top Gun: Maverick.” He vividly described the scene: he had been relaxing with his family on the porch when the life-altering phone call arrived from the show’s producers. The household erupted into celebration — laughter, disbelief, and sheer exhilaration filled the air — at the moment they learned he would soon be joining the ranks of SNL hosts. As fate would have it, at that exact instant, a UPS deliveryman pulled up, dropping off a parcel right amid the joyous commotion. Powell, brimming with excitement, invited the driver, Mitch, to join in on the family’s celebration, immortalizing the serendipitous moment with a cheerful group selfie to mark the occasion.
However, like so many plans in 2020, this dream was abruptly interrupted. The COVID-19 pandemic forced studios across the world to halt production and delay major film releases, and “Top Gun: Maverick” was postponed until 2022. With the delay came another disappointment: Powell’s scheduled SNL hosting gig was rescinded. He explained with humorous candor that the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, personally called him to deliver the news — noting that without the film’s release and subsequent recognition, audiences might not even be familiar with his name. As Powell remembered it, Michaels said bluntly, “Without ‘Top Gun,’ no one will know who the f*** you are,” a line that elicited both laughter and sympathy from the live audience.
Though the show’s schedule moved on, Powell’s mind lingered elsewhere. More than the canceled opportunity itself, he found himself preoccupied with the thought of the unsuspecting UPS driver who had been present for that euphoric moment years ago. From Mitch’s perspective, the entire spectacle might have seemed like a fanciful exaggeration — perhaps even an invention. Powell confessed that one of his greatest motivations for finally hosting now was to prove to that man that it had all been genuine, that his enthusiasm and his story had been entirely real.
“So now I’m here hosting, and it feels incredible,” Powell told the audience, his voice carrying both gratitude and disbelief. “But what feels even better is getting to show that UPS driver that I wasn’t crazy.” His family, it turned out, had taken on the mission of locating Mitch once Powell’s return to SNL was confirmed. Through their efforts, they managed to track him down and invite him to be part of the long-awaited night — and against all initial skepticism, Mitch agreed to come. Powell revealed that the driver had been doubtful at first, suspecting the invitation might be some sort of joke or scam, but ultimately he chose to take the leap of faith and travel to New York City for the live taping.
In a moment that perfectly captured the heartwarming essence of the story, Powell called Mitch up to the Studio 8H stage, inviting him to recreate the now-famous porch selfie in front of the SNL audience. The gesture bridged four years of waiting, uncertainty, and persistence, transforming what had once been a fleeting moment of shared excitement into a lasting symbol of appreciation and connection.
Reflecting on the experience, Powell closed his monologue with a mixture of humor and sincerity: “I had to wait my entire life — plus four years — to stand here tonight,” he said, acknowledging both the long arc of his career and the patience demanded by the journey. “But if there’s one lesson I’ve learned from all this, it’s that the best things in life don’t happen overnight.” With impeccable timing, he added, “And no one understands that better than UPS.” In that final line, Powell seamlessly tied together his personal story, his guest’s profession, and a universal truth about perseverance — proving that sometimes, the most rewarding moments are those that take time, faith, and a little help from the most unexpected of friends.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/glen-powell-invites-special-guest-snl-debut-ups-driver-2025-11
