TVSquad

(S32E09) Justin Timberlake's first hosting gig was absolutely fantastic, so I had high expectations for this episode. Although it wasn't as funny as his first time, I was still very pleased with the result. Actually, Timberlake was better than most "proper actor" hosts. I have a feeling that he'll be returning to host many more times in the future. The man's already established a few recurring characters and I can see him becoming an SNL favorite. Look out, Alec Baldwin, JT's on his way.

I was kind of surprised that there was no sketch, let alone mention, of the crazy overuse of the phrase "I'm bringing sexy back" and every imaginable variation of it. Heck, Timberlake didn't even perform it. Perhaps it was for the best, because I know "SexyBack" would have been stuck in my head for another ten weeks or so.

Cold Open ("Santa's My Boyfriend"): Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph performed a lovely song. I liked mix of traditional Christmas special goody attitude with raunchy innuendo. It was sweet.

Monologue: Wow, I choked on air when I saw Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader show up as Alvin and the Chipmunks. Armisen actually kind of looked like Simon. Hm. Justin Timberlake started off on a good note (ha!). He was doing pretty good with the cue cards, which was nice to see (especially after witnessing Annette Bening's inability to tear her eyes away from them last week).

"Salvation Army/Homelessville": When Timberlake shuffled out in that cup of soup costume, I, once again, choked on air. I think I shouted, "Omeletteville!" at the television, like, five times, for no particular reason. It was good to see the cocky "___ville-ah!" guy back again. I think the best part was the audience's loud gasp when Timberlake got kicked in the "croutons".

"Target": Wiig is awesome, but I don't know how I feel about this character. I was pleasantly surprised that she managed to hold back from saying "candewrrs" (candles) for once. Timberlake was okay. I quite liked "I hope a third thing doesn't happen to theeeem..."

"It's My Cock in a Box": I'm not sure if they were singing "dick in a box" or "cock in a box" (UPDATE: After finding he video above, it is actually "dick") but, either way, I laughed my head off. Maybe it was because of Samberg and Timberlake's perfectly trimmed goatees, maybe it was because I kept thinking of Color Me Badd, or maybe it was because they were singing about a. Cock. In. A. Box.

"The Barry Gibbs Talk Show": I was so excited that I -- yes, yes -- choked on air. I certainly did that a lot during this episode. It wasn't very pleasant because I kept coughing and missed some good lines. Anyway, although I was really happy to see Timberlake team up with Jimmy Fallon again for this, it wasn't as funny as the other appearances. I think it may have had something to do with the fact that Timberlake didn't crack up in the middle of it (however, it almost lost it during "... talkin' 'bout chest hair, talkin' 'bout crazy cool medallions!")

"Dry Eyes": Eh, this was okay. Best bit: Timberlake's voice-breaking "That blind girl from the video!...", upon hearing Lionel Richie.

"Weekend Update": Funny, but not as funny as some of the other WUs from the season. The gay couple from New Jersey gets old. Quick. Even the mistletoe bit couldn't save it. OH!

"Hip Hop Kids": Again, this got old quick. It was funny for a few moments, though. And I liked it when Timberlake started laughing while saying, "Real, real, real, real, real, real..."

"Macy's Elf Audition": It felt weird to watch this sketch, because, half-way through, I realized that Kenan Thompson makes a much more convincing woman than pretty-boy Justin Timberlake. That's... not normal. I mean, seriously, Timberlake made a really scary-looking girl, heh. Favorite line, said in a disturbingly low voice: "How come you cuttin' off my baby before her hoochie pop?"

"A Holiday Message from Nancy Grace": This was okay, I guess. I got annoyed fairly quickly, so that means that Amy Poehler was spot-on as Nancy Grace.

Musical Performances: Justin Timberlake music ain't my bag, but I think he performed well. Playing double-duty can't be easy. Current girlfriend Cameron Diaz introduced his first performance, so I was pretty surprised that she didn't make a little appearance in one of the sketches the way Timberlake did when she hosted the show a while back.

Next Time: Jake Gyllenhaal, The Shins. I expect Brokeback jokes galore.