A leaked phone call between Ryan Gosling and Saturday Night Live comedian Mikey Day has sparked widespread discomfort among viewers, with many describing the interaction as awkward and forced. The viral clip, shared on February 15 by Gosling’s wife, Eva Mendes, quickly ignited social media, where fans expressed embarrassment over the “Ryan Gosling cringey phone call” and questioned its authenticity.
The clip captures a FaceTime conversation between the Hollywood actor and the comedian that took place on Valentine’s Day, which they labeled “Pal-entine’s Day,” a supposed occasion for friends to express emotional honesty. While the call aimed to be lighthearted, viewers found the exchange strained, with some calling it “painfully awkward” and “the lamest bit” they had seen this year.
The Pal-entine’s Day Call and Its Discomforting Tone
Ryan Gosling, preparing to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time on March 7, appeared alongside Mikey Day in the two-minute video. The conversation began with Mikey congratulating Gosling on his hosting return and jokingly asking if they would revisit their popular “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch from 2024. However, the friendly tone quickly shifted.
Gosling declared,
“But before that, I just, I’m actually calling not to talk about work. Just to say Happy Palentine’s Day. I love you.”
He went on to explain,
“You know, like, there’s Galentine’s Day, and then there’s Valentine’s Day. It’s for pals, Palentine’s Day. It’s like a day where guys can be emotionally honest with each other and just, you know, say ‘I really love you.’”
Mikey Day’s reaction was hesitant and confused. He replied quietly, “That’s cool, man. Yeah. Alright,” revealing his uncertainty about Gosling’s unexpected emotional message. The awkwardness escalated as Gosling showcased Valentine’s cards designed for an alien character in his upcoming film, leading the call from a casual chat into an apparent promotional event.

From Friendly Chat to Promotional Segment
The call shifted tone when Gosling introduced elements related to his upcoming movie, Project Hail Mary. He displayed Valentine’s cards featuring the alien character with whom his astronaut character forms a unique, platonic connection. This pivot prompted Mikey Day to question the sincerity of the call, asking,
“Sorry, what is this? Is this like a marketing thing for your movie or something? You just like, you called me and you’re showing me Valentine’s, your character from your movie would show an alien.”
Gosling responded jokingly,
“Yeah, you were saying it comes out on March 20th… Weren’t you saying it’s like Interstellar meets E.T.?”
Despite the comedic nature, Day appeared frustrated as the conversation unmistakably turned into a marketing attempt, with Gosling calling Day “my sweet prince” as the video concluded. This unusual sign-off did little to ease the tension, leaving viewers unsettled.
Social Media Reactions Reveal Widespread Discomfort
Many social media users were vocal about their discomfort with the clip. One netizen commented bluntly,
“Quite awkward, embarrassing and anything but funny.”
Another dismissed the sequence as
“forced, overly weird, and cringey, like someone trying way too hard to be quirky or ‘relatable’ on camera. The sudden bizarre lines make it uncomfortable to watch rather than genuinely entertaining.”
Additional critics echoed this sentiment, with one user stating,
“Not genuine, not funny. At all,”
while another raised concerns about manipulation, writing,
“Contextual gaslighting & manipulation is taking on a whole new level…”
Others expressed similar frustration, describing it as
“two dudes trying to make content and failing miserably.”
Comments Highlight Uncomfortable Moments and Mixed Intentions
Viewers zeroed in on Gosling’s odd phrasing, particularly when he referred to Mikey Day as “my sweet prince,” prompting one to say,
“Ryan Gosling said ‘my sweet prince’ and I physically cringed through my screen.”
Another remarked on how the promo stunt failed, writing,
“When a promo stunt is obvious, it stops being funny… If people are debating whether it’s awkward or funny, the joke probably didn’t land.”
Some suggested the video was a form of “method acting” tied to Gosling’s new film, with one viewer noting,
“Lmao the secondhand cringe from Mikey’s face is sending me. Gosling fully committed to that Pal-entine’s bit like it was method acting for Project Hail Mary…”
There were those who admitted the call felt like a forced publicity stunt rather than a genuine moment between friends. A user wrote,
“That’s definitely a Joke. Ryan just trolling him… Whatever..it’s just BORING,”
while another added,
“Skit that totally falls flat. That’s 2 mins I’m not going to get back.”
Fans Question the Authenticity of the Phone Call
The short clip quickly stirred debate about whether the conversation was authentic or scripted. One user remarked,
“If you think two actors who recorded their FaceTime call and then posted it is a raw leak and not completely scripted then idk.”
Suspicion over the intent behind the clip only grew as many labeled it a failed attempt at dry humor or promotional content disguised as a casual chat.
Critics described the video as a “humiliation ritual,” with others lamenting,
“Americans should stop trying to do dry humour… This is excruciatingly bad and not funny in the slightest.”
One comment declared the clip
“Lamest ‘bit’ ever. Dragged on for too long,”
reflecting the widespread impatience and disapproval.
The Clip’s Dual Purpose: Promotion for ‘Project Hail Mary’ and SNL Return
Originally shared by Eva Mendes on her Instagram, the clip was captioned,
“Happy PALentine’s Day to @mikeyfuntime and all the other bro homies out there!”
The video has also been reposted by the official Project Hail Mary social media accounts, serving both as an advance promo for Gosling’s upcoming movie and a spotlight on his return as Saturday Night Live host.
Project Hail Mary is based on Andy Weir’s 2021 bestselling novel, the author also known for The Martian. The film follows Ryland Grace, a junior high school science teacher turned astronaut, tasked with saving humanity from an extinction-level threat posed by a mysterious substance.
Anticipation and Impact of the Viral Call Amid Upcoming Projects
Ryan Gosling is set to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time, and this oddly tense video aired just weeks prior to his March 7 episode. Despite the negative reaction, the clip highlights the blurred lines between entertainment, marketing, and social media engagement in modern celebrity culture.
Though divided over the clip’s intent and reception, viewers’ reactions underline how promotional content can sometimes backfire, generating unintended secondhand embarrassment rather than excitement. Moving forward, this unusual viral moment may impact how Gosling’s upcoming projects are perceived and discussed in public forums.
That’s just a normal conversation between Californians.
— nʌɟʎʌn (@uvyfvu) March 6, 2026
Ryan Gosling said 'my sweet prince' and I physically cringed through my screen 😭💀
— Brooke (@BrookeVibse) March 6, 2026
When a promo stunt is obvious, it stops being funny and starts feeling like the audience is the punchline. If people are debating whether it’s awkward or funny, the joke probably didn’t land.
— Sir Nkosi (@Sanele_NS) March 6, 2026
It’s a comedic skit. That’s all.. comedy people. It’s ok to laugh & enjoy life.
— shawsomeone (@shawawesomeone) March 6, 2026
This just feels painfully awkward rather than funny. It comes across as forced, overly weird, and cringey, like someone trying way too hard to be quirky or “relatable” on camera. The sudden bizarre lines make it uncomfortable to watch rather than genuinely entertaining.
— Bob Basty (@BobBasty001) March 6, 2026
I was laughing the whole time Ryan’s just trrolling him
— Pack God (@GraytonCookies) March 6, 2026
Just awkward enough to make me want to check this movie out lol
— MikeShan (@MikeShan79) March 6, 2026
Gosling always does this awkward shit. It's clearly a bit.
— Ozejames85 (@JamesCaldow) March 6, 2026
If you read the book you’d get it
— pierce (@SdotFLOSS) March 6, 2026
None of y’all clearly appreciate Ryan and Mikey.
— PolitickChick (@ChickPolitick) March 6, 2026
Ahh yes he accidentally screen recorded it and accidentally uploaded it to the internet
— Zeppelin Rulezzzzzzzzz (@ZeppelinRulezz) March 6, 2026
ryan gosling breaking the law by calling mikey day MICHAEL?? PUT HIM BEHIND BARS
— malexx 🎬🐾🥋 (@malexlikesfilms) March 4, 2026
someone needs to write a buddy comedy for ryan gosling and mikey day
— ⪽mily (@culturedemily) March 4, 2026
Sounds like gosling is comfortable with his sexuality and the other dude is weird lmao. If you can’t tell your buddies you love them you’re a weirdo https://t.co/AyXdJnqJNB
— Stupid loyal Bears fan🍻 (@Schmidttybay) March 6, 2026
That’s 2 mins I’m not going to get back
— Tom ONeill (@25Oneill) March 6, 2026
same played out bromance jokes we've heard for 20 years. @nbcsnl @RyanGosling this is not funny. I ask you to look deep insider yourself and think if regurgitated hack skits are cool? NO MF they aint!
— Troll (@ThaddeusQtip2) March 6, 2026
They’re both acting. Twitter really showing its age here
— L (@CJ3909) March 6, 2026
this is on brand for the character but does not make me want to watch the movie
the most insufferable part of the book was how reddit the main character was
— Daisy (@h3ll0again) March 6, 2026
Ryan Gosling calling Mikey Day "my sweet prince" is the most uncomfortable thing I have seen in 2026. This man is protected at all costs.
— KingZephyr (@KingZahyd) March 6, 2026
