Jimmy Fallon hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest/sketch crasher Justin Timberlake last night. A rundown of my favorite sketches follows after the break.
SNL kicked off its Christmas-themed episode last night with a new installment of “bring it on down to ___-ville” starring Justin Timberlake with special guest Jimmy Fallon. As always this is a fun sketch and JT always brings massive amounts of energy and enthusiasm to it, but unfortunately this was the least memorable attempt at the sketch. I guess what I’m trying to say is: “Wrappinville” is no “Plasticville.”
“Wrappinville” led into Jimmy Fallon’s monologue featuring Fallon as Bob Dylan, Fallon as David Bowie, Fallon as Paul McCartney, and yes, Sir Paul showed up as well. Fallon’s impressions are great, but there can be only one Beatles frontman. And yes, the crowd went wild.
My favorite sketch of the night came next: “Family Feud” with some fantastic celebrity impressions. Fallon did Jim Parsons (as his Big Bang Theory character Sheldon Cooper–something they failed to even mention) and Timberlake conjured up a fine impression of Fallon. JT did such a good job that Fallon–who was directly across from him on stage–had to duck behind his podium at one point to shield his uncontrollable laughter. Good times. Also, props to Taran Killam for his killer Ashton Kutcher impression and I like what they wrote for barely seen newbie Brooks Wheelan.
The “(Do It On My) Twin Bed” music video is something The Lonely Island could’ve have come up with; it was bizarrely entertaining in that way. From the crazy lyrics to the over-the-top sets and lights this pre-recorded bit scored. And there’s no denying how cool it was to see a bunch of the SNL ladies and Fallon before they made it big via those retro high school pix.
Since Robin Gibb passed away last year I didn’t think SNL would bring back the “Barry Gibb Talk Show”…and yet, they did! Normally a sketch like this would become stale quick but Fallon and Timberlake ignite it with so much energy that it never seems to fall flat. Add a pinch of Madonna and a splash of the actual Barry Gibb and blam you’ve got another memorable Talk Show.
I’m quite fond of this Weekend Update bit. Fallon officially passes the Late Night torch to Seth Meyers and outgoing New York City Mayor Bloomberg is game.
More great celeb impressions come in this new “Christmas Album” pre-recorded sketch. Fallon proves he’s the master of his craft with amazing impressions of Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, Pitbull, Harry Styles, and Michael Bublè. Newbie Noel Wells and Jay Pharoah also shined as Zoey Deschanel and rapper DMX, respectively.
Fallon and Cecily Strong teamed up for an endearingly altered version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and they hit all the right notes.
JT performed two songs off his latest album The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2. The electric performance of “Only When I Walk Away” was one phenomenal light show with awesome visuals. Then things toned down for the album’s acoustic hidden track “Pair of Wings.” Once again, Justin proves he’s one helluva performer.
Fallon and Timberlake are a talented duo and I pray this isn’t the last time the comic and the musician collaborate on the late night sketch show. The energy, enthusiasm, and fun spirit they bring to Studio 8H is unrivaled.
SNL returns next year on January 18 with Drake who will pull double duty as host and musical guest.