Here’s the fun thing about “SNL.” It’s like high school, where everyone gets nostalgic and can’t help but drop by to see each other again and rehash the best of times (albeit with way funnier people than your average hometown). Season finales usually feature some familiar faces, and this one might have set a record for most celebrity cameos in a single episode. (Our official count was 12.)
It all started in the monologue, where Andy Samberg was super excited to be back on the 8H stage. Samberg apologized that Justin Timberlake couldn’t make an appearance as he is currently on tour in Russia, but JT, ever the gentlemen, sent Samberg a picture for good luck.
Samberg was soon joined by former “Weekend Update” and current “Late Night” host Seth Meyers. Meyers challenges Samberg to best Bill Hader’s record of most celebrity impressions- 23. In lightening round fashion Samberg rips through Young John Travolta, Ryan Reynolds, Keanu Reeves, Zooey Deschanel, Seth Rogen and more, besting Hader at 24. But not to be outdone, Hader appears, retaining his master of impressions title as he pulls out Casey Kasem and Andy Samberg dialogue. Then for fun, Martin Short came over.
Celebs didn’t just hang out on set, but they got some love in the pre-taped Digital Shorts as well. In the first sketch Lil Jon tells a crowd of EDM concert-goers to “get turned up to death,” where the music makes heads explode. In the second short (yes we were spoiled) Pharrell joins The Lonely Island to rap about giving “Hugs.” Get in line.
And what would an Andy Samberg “SNL” episode be without the return of “Get In The Cage With Nicolas Cage” on Weekend Update? Cage comes in to talk to the next celeb who happens to be hanging out around the studio, Paul Rudd. Rudd says it’s an honor to talk shop with the actor about his upcoming movie, “Ant Man.” Cage says he’s born to play a superhero, what with his natural super suit of coarse body hair. When Rudd tries to interject Cage gets testy: “Don’t sass me ‘Clueless.’”
If you want to know how close the cast members of past “SNL” seasons are, the “Kissing Family” sketch is all the proof you need. Samberg is nervous about meeting his boyfriend’s (Taran Killam) parents, the Vogelchecks. And while they seem friendly enough, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph aren’t afraid to give a little mouth to mouth. Their idea of a good time is gathering around to play a friendly game of “suck and blow.” So much for the traditional handshake.
In another reprised role, Samberg’s final sketch features him in the recording studio as “Blizzard Man.” With “the swag of A$AP Rocky and the street cred of Katherine Heigl,” Blizzard comes in to lay down some beats. Luckily, 2 Chainz hops into the studio to make sure the track is a hit.
While there were many hip-hop heavy cameos in the episode, musical guest St. Vincent mixed it up with their electronic synth and static guitar. Singer Annie Clark performed “Digital Witness” and “Birth In Reverse” to close out the ‘SNL’ season.
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