Ep 11. Hugh Laurie

On January 24th, 2009, Saturday Night Live aired its 11th episode of season 34, hosted by the British actor Hugh Laurie. As fans eagerly tuned in to watch their beloved Dr. House out of his element and into SNL, they were in for a ride filled with humor, wit, and the occasional musical number.

The episode kicked off with a cold open sketch featuring President Barack Obama, played by Fred Armisen, as he tackles the economic crisis that was looming over America at the time. The sketch was followed by Laurie’s monologue, where he showcases his singing chops while joking about British humor and the differences between accents. This set the tone for what was to come, and the audience was ready for a night of laughter.

One of the standout sketches of the night was "Update: Really?!" with Seth Meyers, where he delves into the topic of the new stimulus package. This was a recurring joke throughout the episode, as various sketches tackled the financial crisis and the government’s response to it. Some of the other highlights of the night include Laurie’s portrayal of a hapless magician being humiliated on stage, a digital short about an awkwardly reluctant hip-hop dancer, and a sketch where Laurie plays an overenthusiastic employee at a shoddy airline.

Musical guests, the indie-rock band Band of Horses, also made an appearance, playing two songs in-between sketches. This added an extra layer of variety to the show and brought some energy into the studio. Laurie himself showcased his musical talents throughout the episode, joining in on a few musical numbers throughout the night.

Overall, the show was a success, as Laurie’s wit and charm proved to be the perfect fit for the comedy institution. The show’s writers cleverly utilized his background in drama to create a variety of memorable sketches. Additionally, the musical interludes, both from Laurie and Band of Horses, kept the show from feeling repetitive and added another layer of interest.

As usual, Saturday Night Live ended with its iconic goodnight segment, where the cast and host came together to bid the audience farewell. Hugh Laurie thanked the audience for their warm reception and seemed genuinely appreciative of the experience. The episode itself proved to be a strong showcase for both Laurie’s comedic and musical talents, as well as the skills of the SNL writing team. Fans of both Laurie and SNL were left satisfied after a night of hilarity and entertainment.