Saturday Night Live finally took aim at the cultural phenomenon that is Heated Rivalry. The show delivered a sharp parody this weekend. It was only a matter of time before the long-running sketch comedy turned its satirical eye toward HBO's buzzy series.
The Hockey Romance That Captured Attention
Heated Rivalry finished its first season last month. Yet the show has refused to leave the cultural conversation. A swift renewal for a second season helped. So did a Golden Globes appearance by its stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. The hockey romance quickly became a signature hit for HBO. It represents the network's successful run of sexually charged, crowd-pleasing dramas.
SNL's Magical Parody Premise
SNL's response arrived in a pre-taped sketch. It cleverly masqueraded as a trailer for a new Harry Potter television series on HBO. This was pointedly not the official adaptation fans have long awaited. A voiceover announced the project with typical grandeur. "Coming soon to HBO, the beloved wizarding world of Harry Potter makes its television debut." Then it immediately undercut itself. "With an all new story hastily written after the success of a certain other HBO show..."
Finn Wolfhard Leads the Cast
Host Finn Wolfhard starred in the sketch as Harry Potter. SNL cast member Ben Marshall played Ron Weasley. Their first meeting at Hogwarts quickly transformed. It became a knowingly overheated exchange packed with innuendo. This mirrored the central dynamic of Heated Rivalry perfectly.
Ron purred a suggestive line after Harry dropped his wand. "It's lovely, by the way." Harry replied with equal flirtation. "I'd love to see yours sometime." Ron simply responded, "You would." The tension was palpable and intentionally humorous.
Heated Wizardry: The Core of the Parody
The parody retitled itself Heated Wizardry. It swapped hockey for Quidditch but kept the core premise intact. Two fierce rivals found themselves locked in a secret romance. They both insisted their relationship was purely antagonistic. The sketch leaned hard into double entendres and visual gags. It featured increasingly absurd spellwork, including mock texting jokes.
One character asked a particularly suggestive question. "What's the spell to make something bigger?" The humor was broad and unmistakably aimed at the source material's tone.
A Pointed Jab from J.K. Rowling
A fake review from author J.K. Rowling briefly flashed on screen. It read, "I am not a part of this." This served as a pointed aside. It referenced the author's long-running and widely criticized statements on transgender issues. The inclusion added a layer of contemporary cultural commentary to the parody.
The Show-Stopping Jason Momoa Cameo
The loudest audience reaction came with a surprise appearance. Jason Momoa arrived on screen playing Rubeus Hagrid. When Harry and Ron approached him to confess their relationship, Momoa's Hagrid cut them off bluntly. He delivered a shocking, deliberately crude line. "You're a homo, Harry."
This twisted the character's famous introduction from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The line drew immediate gasps and roaring laughter from the studio audience. It became the sketch's most memorable moment.
Online Life and the Original Series
Heated Wizardry quickly spread online after the show. SNL shared the sketch, fueling another moment in Heated Rivalry's expanding visibility. The original series airs on HBO Max in the United States. In Canada, it streams on Crave.
The show centers on Canadian star Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams. His rival is Russian-born Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie. They are two professional hockey players. Their long-running situationship unfolds alongside their intense on-ice rivalry. This dynamic provided the perfect fodder for SNL's trademark satire.
