Fans went into meltdown as indulged in a gay kiss with star Ben Marshall during his latest opening monologue on the sketch show.
He was taking a swipe at politically correct fans who have scolded him for 'queerbaiting' with such past moves as wearing gender-bending clothes, playing a gay man in the film My Policeman and being publicly vague about his own sexuality.
'Queerbaiting' refers to a PR ploy of hinting at same-sex relationships without confirming them outright, in order to strike a balance between enticing a gay viewership and not repelling homophobic audiences.
The 32-year-old pop act faced the allegations head-on when he compered the show this weekend, reflecting on his previous time hosting in 2019.
'Back then, people seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing and some people accused me of something called "queerbaiting,"' he said, adding in a comically melodramatic howl: 'But did it ever occur to you that maybe you don't know everything about me, Dad?'
By the end of the monologue, he grabbed Marshall and locked lips with him, then turned to camera and said with a wink: 'Now that's queerbaiting.'
Fans went into meltdown as Harry Styles indulged in a gay kiss with Saturday Night Live star Ben Marshall during his latest opening monologue on the sketch show
The kiss came at the end of a flirty bit about the One Direction alumnus' new solo album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
He said he 'loved' the title 'because what's better than kissing all the time?' - prompting Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman to bound hopefully onstage.
By the end of the monologue, he grabbed Marshall and locked lips with him, then turned to camera and said with a wink: 'Now that's queerbaiting'
The 32-year-old pop act faced the allegations head-on when he compered the show this weekend, reflecting on his previous time hosting in 2019
The 'queerbaiting' furor occasionally rested on his gender-bending outfits, such as at his 'Harryween' event at Madison Square Concert on October 30, 2021
Earlier in 2021, he attended the red carpet of the Grammys in this striking ensemble that included a purple feather boa and a plunging v-neck
Viewers at home were delighted with the viral moment, racing to X, formerly Twitter, with reactions like: 'Y'ALL. IM SCREAMING,' and a crying emoji
'ENDED THE QUEERBAITING FREAKS SO FAST,' one exulted as another quipped: 'One thing Ben Marshall is gonna do is GET him a handsome man to kiss.'
