Ep 17. Shia LaBoeuf/Avril Lavigne

Shia LaBeouf and Avril Lavigne are the host and musical guest, respectively, for the 17th episode of the 32nd season of Saturday Night Live. The show begins with a parody of the popular game show "Deal or No Deal," in which John McCain (played by Darrell Hammond) appears as a contestant and offers to give up his campaign for the presidency if he is offered enough money. This sketch sets the tone for a politically charged episode.

One of the highlights of the night is a sketch featuring LaBeouf as a rebellious teen who is arrested and brought to a Scared Straight program, where he meets a group of hardened prisoners (played by Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Andy Samberg). The sketch is both hilarious and bad taste, as the prisoners try to convince LaBeouf to clean up his act by showing him the harsh reality of prison life.

Another memorable moment comes in the form of a digital short, which sees Samberg singing a love song to a girl (played by Kristen Wiig) who just wants to be friends. The song, called "Like a Boss," is a hilarious parody of rap videos, with Samberg bragging about his mundane office job and how he handles his responsibilities "like a boss."

The political satire continues throughout the episode, with a sketch in which LaBeouf plays a young Barack Obama attending a rally where he has a hilarious encounter with an enthusiastic Hillary Clinton supporter (played by Amy Poehler). Another sketch features a group of actors (played by Jason Sudeikis, Armisen, and Hammond) auditioning to play Obama's running mate, with LaBeouf making a surprise appearance as the final candidate.

The musical performances by Lavigne are solid, featuring two of her hit songs, "Girlfriend" and "When You're Gone." She also appears in a sketch in which she plays a character who is constantly interrupted by her annoying ringtone during important meetings.

Overall, this episode of Saturday Night Live is a strong entry in the show's history, with plenty of laughs and some biting political commentary. LaBeouf proves to be a great host, bringing his trademark energy and quirkiness to each sketch, while Lavigne is a lively musical guest who knows how to rock a stage.