Ep 7. Dane Cook/James Blunt

In Season 31, Episode 7 of Saturday Night Live, host Dane Cook welcomes British singer-songwriter James Blunt to the show. Cook kicks off the episode with a monologue that balances self-deprecation with humor directed at celebrities, including Lindsay Lohan, Tom Cruise, and Martha Stewart.

The first sketch of the night features Cook playing a host of a new reality show, "The Condemned." The contestants are all death row inmates, and the winner is granted a pardon. The sketch plays on the exploitation of criminals for entertainment value and features some great performances from the cast.

Following the sketch, the show features a series of fake commercials, including one for a "Cheesy Protection System" to keep women safe from unwanted advances and a deadpan ad for a drug that eliminates the need for sleep.

In one of the episode's standout sketches, Cook plays a man trying to impress a girl at a bar with his collection of outrageous pickup lines. The girl calls him out on their absurdity, leading to a hilarious confrontation. The scene is relatable and funny, with Cook's delivery making it clear that his character knows how ridiculous he sounds.

Next, the show features a parody of AM radio talk shows called "Great Moments in Herstory," featuring women from history who get a chance to set the record straight on their accomplishments. Cook ingeniously plays the show's clueless and condescending host, Steve Barnes. This sketch is smartly written and showcases some of the show's best performers.

The episode's musical guest, James Blunt, performs "You're Beautiful." The performance is simple and stripped-down, with Blunt's raw and emotional vocals taking center stage.

In another of the night's top sketches, Cook plays a guitarist in a band whose lead singer, played by Andy Samberg, insists on adding increasingly absurd elements to their songs. First, it's a "Michael McDonald" section, then it's a "guitar solo" that's actually just him screaming about math, and finally, it's a "harmonica" section performed by a man blowing into an empty beer bottle. The sketch is over-the-top and hilarious, perfectly capturing the frustration of creative differences in a band.

The show's final sketch features Cook playing a pilot who runs into trouble during a flight, leading to a chaotic and funny sequence of events.

Overall, Saturday Night Live's Season 31, Episode 7 is a funny and entertaining episode that showcases the show's talented cast and writers. From Cook's opening monologue to the final sketch, the show offers a diverse mix of humor and satire that audiences will find enjoyable.