“Saturday Night time Dwell” has pulled out all of the stops recruiting hosts for his or her fiftieth season, however the present is often at its finest when its solid will get to shine. Because of this, Charli XCX‘s flip commanding the Studio 8H stage proved to be the most effective stints but this yr. Slightly than chew the surroundings, XCX blended in completely to every sketch, permitting the principle gamers to flex their abilities, however nonetheless incomes loads of laughs alongside the best way. Her musical performances gave her greater than sufficient alternative to assert the (flashing) highlight as nicely.
The evening kicked off with a political chilly open that satirized the Oval Workplace assembly that came about between presidents Trump (James Austin Johnson) and Biden (Dana Carvey) final week and had much more punch to it than any of the sketches featured in final week’s episode following the election. Not solely do they lampoon Trump’s seeming distaste with the trimmings of the White Home, additionally spend loads of time skewering the “dynamic, free-thinking, animal-killing, sexually-criminal, medically-crazy” cupboard he’s at the moment placing collectively. “SNL 50” additionally supplied a vivid mild in all this craziness by unveiling their new Matt Gaetz impersonator, Sarah Sherman, whose demented take is the right match to the potential future Lawyer Basic. Alec Baldwin additionally joined the solid as soon as once more, this time enjoying RFK Jr., although his impersonation skewed a little bit bit an excessive amount of in the direction of his Trump.
Additionally returning was fan favourite Domingo, performed by Marcello Hernadez. Recreating the viral sketch from Ariana Grande’s episode, XCX was joined by Sherman, Ego Nwodim, and Heidi Gardner for a rendition of Chappell Roan’s “Scorching to Go!” that proved fairly steamy in its personal proper.
Weekend Replace managed to pack a punch this week, becoming a member of the chilly open in tearing down Trump and his cupboard picks, whereas additionally capturing the absurd nature of the occasions we’re at the moment dwelling in. Bowen Yang additionally confirmed as much as play Tiger King and present convict Joe Unique, whose plea for a pardon from Trump was adopted up with a suggestion to function the pinnacle of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Whereas it might not look nice for present solid, maybe the very best little bit of the evening was yet one more new Digital Quick from Andy Samberg. In a catchy music video, Samberg performs a very attentive neighbor with a penchant for calling the cops on anybody who will get close to his garden and even his rubbish can. XCX joins in as his spouse mid-song for a duet that highlights each her pitch-perfect musical and comedic timing.
Final evening’s episode was such a humiliation of riches that even the ultimate sketch, typically considered a throwaway spot for probably the most offbeat routines to make it to air, was a complete winner. Following a good friend group as they’re leaving a efficiency of “Shrek: The Musical,” issues quickly flip sophisticated when its revealed that just about everybody has been scoring with Shrek.
“Saturday Night time Dwell” returns December 7 with host Paul Mescal and musical visitor Shaboozey.