'Saturday Night Live' Recap: Christoph Waltz Hosts – Plays Jesus, Pope and Fred Armisen's Boyfriend

Saturday Night Live was hosted by Christoph Waltz, who got the rare chance to prove a serious Austrian actor can have a sense of humor.

The cold open featured Cecily Strong and Jason Sudeikis playing Carnival cruise line workers attempting tirelessly (and fruitlessly) to entertain the passengers stranded without power and plumbing on their cruise ship out at sea. They begin reading the week’s headlines, which of course where as uplifting as their own plight – North Korea’s nuclear weapons, Oscar Pistorius murder charge, etc.

Waltz's Austrian heritage was also played for jokes. Interrupting the actor’s opening monologue, Kate McKinnon and Bobby Monahan take the stage in yodeler garb. Then Taran Killam sports a “casual Hitler” look, which had the comic sporting Hitler’s slick side-part and mustache paired with an outfit meant for the country club. Then Waltz showed off his singing talents.

Waltz’ then plays a vengeful Jesus in a parody of Quentin Tarantino’s latest film called DJesus Uncrossed. “When you get to heaven, say ‘Hi’ to my dad,” sneers Waltz before offing a Roman official.

In a commercial for Papal Securities, Waltz plays a retiring Pope looking for someone to help him manage his finances on his new [gasp] fixed income. The best part is when Walz provides his lines in the ad in a liturgical chant.

Waltz is also featured in a skit as Fred Armisen’s better half. Armisen, dressed in drag, channels his costar in Portlandia as a self-righteous elitist.

SNL will be back with a new show on March 2, with host Kevin Hart and musical guests Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.