The latest episode of Saturday Night Live kicked off with a series of stumbles, setting the tone for what turned out to be a rollercoaster of a night. The cold open, themed around football, suffered from missed cues, a lackluster musical parody, and wandering writing. As sportscasters lamented the end of the NFL season, the segment veered into peculiar territory, touching on everything from Dakota Johnson, Barbie Oscar snubs to Boeing 737s and the final season of Blue Bloods.
Dakota Johnson: A Host with Potential
Hollywood’s own Dakota Johnson took the stage as the host, promising an episode filled with her unique brand of low-key chaos and unintentional humor. The actress, promoting her upcoming Marvel superhero film, Madame Web, brought a certain charm despite the stumbling start. This marked Johnson’s second hosting gig, her last appearance being in 2015. Adding to the excitement was the onscreen reunion with Justin Timberlake, her co-star from The Social Network, who returned as the musical guest for the first time since 2013.
Monologue: A Throwback that Missed the Mark
The monologue started promisingly, with Johnson’s humor poking fun at her infamous public persona. However, the entrance of Timberlake, reminiscent of a Beetlejuice appearance, and the subsequent intrusion of Jimmy Fallon felt more tired than thrilling. The attempt to revisit the Barry Gibb Talk Show, a recurring sketch, lacked the punch of its earlier iterations and might have worked better without the pre-spoiler during the monologue.
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Digital Short Roast and the “Big Dumb Cups”
A highlight of the night was the Please Don’t Destroy digital short, where Johnson, seemingly with friendly intentions, unleashed a roast so brutal that the comedy trio ended up charred. The “Big Dumb Cups” sketch hilariously satirized a specific type of individual, spanning ages and stereotypes, willing to go to extremes for an ostentatious cup. The props department’s Jurassic water bottles added a clever touch to the satire.
Celebrity Drop-Ins and Awkward Reunion
Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban made unexpected appearances, crashing a book-club sketch. While the concept had potential, the ending felt underwritten, leaving the celebrity drop-ins wandering aimlessly. The much-anticipated return of the Barry Gibb Talk Show, featuring Timberlake and Fallon, felt like a high school reunion that missed the mark.
Addressing Past Controversy with Humor
Johnson, with a nod to a previous SNL controversy in 2015, engaged in a sketch addressing a sketch where she seemingly joined ISIS. The self-aware humor acknowledged the past incident, providing a lighthearted take on a controversial moment.
A Nepo Baby Battle Unfolds
In a digital short titled “Roast,” Johnson took a swing at the Please Don’t Destroy guys, leading to a humorous battle of words. The sketch delved into the concept of nepotism within the entertainment industry, with Johnson cleverly navigating the landscape.
Conclusion
While Dakota Johnson brought her A-game, navigating through humor and self-awareness, SNL’s latest episode suffered from pacing issues and underwhelming sketches. The hits, like the digital short roast and the “Big Dumb Cups” satire, were countered by misses, particularly the lackluster Barry Gibb Talk Show revival. As the laughter echoed and the awkwardness lingered, this SNL episode proved that even star power and nostalgia couldn’t guarantee a seamless Saturday night delight.