Justin Timberlake hosted the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, and I thought it was the best episode of the year even though I woke up at 6:15 a.m. Pacific time this morning to groggily watch it on Hulu. In fact, I’m still mostly asleep, so let’s just get right to the slideshow and review the best skits.
https://www.hulu.com/embed/04KB9kVVZ9WEjgtlGnBL9g
A worthy successor to “Dick in a Box” and “Motherlover.” Not the funniest skit of the night, but destined for the longest viral life.
https://www.hulu.com/embed/7GIe0QNcLxpzC4XVhHJxhA
Funniest skit of the night, in my opinion. The “What’s That Name?” sketch was a great concept the first time, but it’s even better with celebrity players, and Timberlake does a great job of playing this for the most laughs possible.
https://www.hulu.com/embed/rOx01efDmQYkR7SA0MaQtw
This Web-only skit didn’t make the show, which is too bad because it’s far better than the ’60s game show where Kristen Wiig’s opera singer blurts out the secret word. Much like the skit where Timberlake played his great-great-grandfather coming to America, this works because the host is willing to laugh at himself. Bonus points for Andy Samberg as Salieri.
https://www.hulu.com/embed/NC3BEyNFW8tU_zRxqQPStw
“SNL” managed to acknowledge the character’s popularity in the finale without bringing him in for a full sketch. A nice touch.
This sketch isn’t online, unfortunately. That means I haven’t watched it. NO SPOILERS YOU GUYS!!! Aw, he’s in a beer costume?!!? Thanks for ruining it for me.
(GIF )
https://www.hulu.com/embed/OOf0Tij0yISueaUeuFl9rA
The monologue is so often a complete waste of time that anything mildly entertaining is a huge plus. I’m by no means an “SNL” historian, but Timberlake can pull off the opening musical number like no one since Steve Martin at his best.
Important.
