Saturday Night Live Makes a Triumphant Return with Dakota Johnson, Justin Timberlake, and Surprise Appearances
A Night of Laughter, Music, and Political Commentary
On January 28, 2024, Studio 8-H at Rockefeller Center was once again filled with laughter, music, and political commentary as “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) returned for its latest episode, hosted by actress Dakota Johnson and featuring musical guest Justin Timberlake. The show delivered a memorable night of entertainment, with surprise appearances, hilarious sketches, and pointed jabs at current events.
Dakota Johnson’s Opening Monologue: A Nostalgic Journey with a Touch of Controversy
Dakota Johnson kicked off the show with a monologue that was both nostalgic and politically charged. She recalled her first visit to Studio 8-H in 2015, when she hosted “SNL” following its landmark 40th anniversary special. Johnson noted the presence of notable figures in the audience that night, including directors Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Donald Trump, who would later become the President of the United States.
Johnson poked fun at Trump’s controversial presidency, referencing a photo from that starry night in 2015 that showed her standing near Taylor Swift. “Look at this collection of people,” Johnson said. “Crazy to be standing so close to someone who would become the most powerful person in America,” she added, as the camera zoomed in on Swift in the photo.
Justin Timberlake’s Surprise Appearance: A Hilarious Misunderstanding
During her monologue, Johnson mentioned Justin Timberlake’s presence as the night’s musical guest. Timberlake then appeared on stage, feigning confusion about whether he was also expected to host the show. “If you want me to be in sketches — I have hosted before,” Timberlake said, raising his hand to indicate his five previous hosting stints on “SNL.”
Timberlake made a risque joke about his faux mistake, referencing his 2006 smash hit “SexyBack.” “First he was bringing sexy back and now he’s bringing coming back,” Timberlake quipped. After a pause, he said, “Now that I’ve heard that out loud…” and shook his head. At that moment, Jimmy Fallon made a surprise appearance, barreling onto the stage in a disco-tastic 1970s light-tan leisure suit, complete with puffed-up hair and a close-cropped beard. “I’m here to say, break a leg,” Fallon joked.
The Barry Gibb Talk Show: A Musical Reunion and Political Commentary
Later in the show, Timberlake joined Fallon in a sketch titled “The Barry Gibb Talk Show.” Fallon reprised his role as Barry Gibb, while Timberlake played the younger Gibb brother, Robin (who passed away in 2012). The Australian Gibb brothers conversed in their distinctive diction, discussing the fraught state of American politics and Trump’s attempt to secure the GOP nomination for the upcoming presidential election.
Weekend Update: A Mix of Political Zingers and Cultural Commentary
The “Weekend Update” segment was dominated by zingers about Trump and his legal troubles, as well as commentary on the Oscar nominations and the breakthroughs achieved by nominees from underrepresented backgrounds. Anchor Colin Jost ran a clip of Trump using the term “de-bank” during a campaign speech, leading to jokes about the former president’s unique vocabulary.
The segment also featured a surprise appearance by “SNL” regular Bowen Yang, who played a movie enthusiast named Ethan. Yang’s Ethan announced a new awards show called “The Ethans,” and in a nod to Niecy Nash-Betts’ memorable Emmy Award acceptance speech, he declared, “I want to thank me for believing in me.”
Surprise Cameos and Musical Performances: A Star-Studded Night
The episode featured two additional surprise cameos toward the end. “Shark Tank” judges Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban dropped in on a sketch featuring Johnson as a caustic member of a women’s book club. Corcoran offered Johnson’s character a deal to take a piece of her company, followed by Cuban, who offered her $1 million, much to the surprise of the other book club members.
Justin Timberlake delivered two musical performances during the show. He opened with “Sanctified,” featuring a rap by Tobe Nwigwe and backed by a small and elaborately dressed choir. His second number, “Selfish,” was a stripped-down performance accompanied only by keyboard and drums.
A Memorable Episode: Laughter, Music, and Political Commentary
The January 28, 2024 episode of “Saturday Night Live” was a memorable one, filled with laughter, music, and political commentary. Dakota Johnson’s monologue set the tone for the night, with its mix of nostalgia and political humor. Justin Timberlake’s surprise appearance and musical performances added to the entertainment, while surprise cameos and sketches kept the audience engaged throughout the show. “Weekend Update” delivered its usual dose of political zingers and cultural commentary, making the episode a well-rounded and entertaining experience for viewers.