Ep 10. Scarlett Johansson/Death Cab For Cutie

Scarlett Johansson made her hosting debut on the tenth episode of Saturday Night Live's 31st season, which aired on January 14, 2006. The musical guest for the evening was indie rock band Death Cab For Cutie.

The episode opened with a sketch lampooning the controversy surrounding Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting accident, with Darrell Hammond portraying Cheney and Fred Armisen playing the victim. This was followed by a fake commercial for a new prescription drug called Restless Penis Syndrome, which promised to alleviate the titular affliction in men.

Johansson's first major sketch was a parody of MTV's My Super Sweet 16, in which she played a teenage girl planning an over-the-top birthday party with the help of her wealthy father (played by Will Forte). However, things quickly spiraled out of control as the girl's demands became increasingly absurd, culminating in a cameo appearance by Fidel Castro.

Another highlight of the episode was a sketch in which Johansson played a tourist visiting a wax museum, only to be horrified to discover that the figures (portrayed by SNL cast members) are actually alive and in various states of disrepair. This sketch allowed Johansson to showcase her comedic acting skills as she reacted with horror and revulsion to each individual figure, including a melting Burt Reynolds and a severely injured Horatio Sanz.

Death Cab For Cutie performed two songs during the episode, "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth," both from their album Plans. The band's understated, emotive style was a departure from the more bombastic musical guests that SNL typically featured, and they received a warm reception from the studio audience.

Towards the end of the episode, Johansson appeared in a sketch in which she played herself auditioning for the lead role in a Broadway musical adaptation of the horror film Carrie. She struggles to sing and dance while being doused in fake blood, leading to comic mishaps and physical comedy. The sketch culminates in a parody of the iconic climax of the film, with Johansson covered head to toe in blood as she delivers the line "They're all gonna laugh at you!"

The episode concluded with Johansson bidding farewell and thanking the cast and crew, before being joined on stage by the entire SNL cast for a farewell dance party set to "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Overall, Johansson's debut hosting performance on SNL showcased her versatility as an actress and comedian, while Death Cab For Cutie brought a touch of indie cred to the traditional format of the show. With its mix of political satire, celebrity impersonations, and original sketches, the episode provided a snapshot of the eclectic mix of humor and entertainment that has made SNL an enduring cultural institution.