Ep 21. Betty White / Jay-Z

Betty White, the legendary television and film actress, hosts this episode of Saturday Night Live alongside musical guest Jay-Z. The episode originally aired on May 8, 2010, during the show's 35th season.

White, who was 88 years old at the time, became one of the oldest hosts in SNL history, and her appearance was highly anticipated by fans. The episode begins with a cold open featuring various cast members auditioning for the role of "Betty White's Facebook Friend," a reference to a popular campaign to get the actress to host the show. Eventually, White herself appears and chooses a winner, played by cast member Kristen Wiig.

In her opening monologue, White acknowledges her age but notes that she's still ready to be a part of the show. She then launches into a series of raunchy jokes that highlight her willingness to push boundaries, including a joke about her "dusty muffin." The audience laughs and cheers throughout her monologue, clearly delighted to see the beloved actress in her element.

The first sketch of the night is a parody of MacGruber, a popular character played by cast member Will Forte. In the sketch, MacGruber (Forte), is tasked with disarming a bomb that's rigged to a wheelchair. However, he becomes distracted by his attraction to the wheelchair's occupant, played by White. The sketch is filled with raunchy humor, and White proves herself to be an able comedic partner for Forte.

Other sketches in the episode include a game show parody called "Delinquent Teenager Parents," in which White plays a grandmother who is addicted to prescription drugs; a sketch in which Jay-Z raps about his love of musical theater; and a sketch in which White and other elderly women fight over a bingo game. In each sketch, White proves herself to be an adept comedic performer, game for anything the writers throw her way.

In addition to the sketches, the episode features several memorable musical performances by Jay-Z. In one performance, he performs a mash-up of his hit songs "Empire State of Mind" and "On to the Next One," accompanied by the SNL house band. In another performance, he performs the song "Young Forever," joined by Mr. Hudson.

The episode ends with a sketch in which White is joined by many of the show's former female cast members, including Tina Fey, Molly Shannon, and Amy Poehler. The group performs a song called "Thank You for Being a Friend," a reference to White's iconic role on the TV show The Golden Girls. White looks visibly touched by the tribute, and the audience gives the performers a standing ovation.

Overall, Saturday Night Live's Betty White / Jay-Z episode is a testament to the enduring popularity of the show and the power of a talented and beloved host. White's performance is both hilarious and touching, and Jay-Z's musical performances add an extra layer of energy to the proceedings. Fans of the show and of Betty White will not want to miss this episode.