'SNL' recap: Ariana Grande does an impression of Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and more

Wake up, cornerhead nation! In SNL Review: The Anniversary Recap is back, and we're on episode three Many of you agreed with me that last week's episode was a pleasant return from an uncomfortable, awkward season premiere. Numbers don't lie. Tonight, we have a special match: Bowen Young's evil Coster Ariana Grande is teaming up with a deep cut SNL Musical guest, a true legend: Stevie Nicks. Here's How Big Stevie Nicks Is: Not only did she play at 8H for the first time in 1983, there's a classic sketch spoofing Nicks that's over 25 years old itself! Longevity and wisdom, folks. SNL50.

Grande appeared last SNL A few months ago – but as a musical guest. Although he has hosted before, in the 41st season. 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Kennedy Center (which opened this weekend), shared: “The one I'm most excited for is Stevie Nicks. Her appointment television with Ariana hosting is for me.”

Stay tuned for more below! Our former cast member Gary Kroeger also came up with some quotes on this momentous night and season.

cold open

The football game broadcast on NBC caused a “game delay” in tonight's Cold Open. Kaitlan Collins (Chloe Fineman) is over at CNN. He described Donald Trump's fear of facing off against Kamala Harris — except family feud! So here we go…

Kenan Thompson can blow away his awesome Steve Harvey. Maya Rudolph is back as VP Harris – she's been active in the media this week. With him, as always, is Andy Samberg as “Dog the Shrug” along with Joe Biden (Dana Carvey) and Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan). Steve asks Harvey Harris what he keeps in his glove compartment. After giving his boilerplate stump speech, Harvey forces him to say “Glock”. And when it's Doug's turn, he says “second gun” – the rest of the Democratic Party isn't as successful.

Trump's wife, Melania, of James Austin Johnson, did not attend. Mikey Day is back as Don Jr. but no Alex Moffat as Eric? That's a shame.

Doug Emeroff approves of Andy Samberg's impression — the same goes for Kamala Harris' portrayal of Rudolph. I asked Gary Kroeger if Samberg's take was too soft. He noted: “Impression is the actor's job and satire is the sketch. An impression is not necessarily spot-on mimicry, but there should be a character twist that comes from the actor as a new way of looking at them… Emeroff likes Samberg's impression. Nice, I think I did a few days ago and my intention was always that I would find it fun to be disguised.”

Kroeger added: “I don't mind celebrities being brought in to do political impressions. I'm not arguing that it's going to be successful or that it's going to grow in viewership, but I've always thought the cast should do everything. SNL with very few exceptions. That, to me, is the magic of the show, having a cast that can do anything in front of it.”

monologue

Grande notes that she's had a great year — she's a theater kid, so acting in it is a dream. evil. One point: He's only here to host, stay low and don't sing. With that, he immediately breaks into song. And yes, she impersonates Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Gwen Stefani during her numbers. As mentioned earlier, he did this in an actual sketch in 2016. modern with SNLHowever, it's only one box they check.

A beautiful moment with Grande and Bowen Young commentating evil. (Gary Kroeger hasn't seen the show, but recalls that his former cast member Tim Kazurinsky was on it once and heard he was great!)

For the grand finale he calls out a chorus line of dancers at the end of his song. But… she claims she's keeping it low!

Sign up for Entertainment WeeklyIts free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars and more.

“The Bride's Speech”

Johnson wraps up a standard and boring best man speech at a wedding reception Bridesmaids of course strange And a little different – they wrote a special song about the bride's bachelorette party in Charleston. And thus, begins a spoof of Sabrina Carpenter's “Espresso.” The girls — Heidi Gardner, Igo Naudim, Sarah Sherman and Grande — narrate a story about a bride and a man named Domingo getting together on a girls' weekend. “Not for nothing, but the rhyme scheme is completely out of the weekend,” exclaims the groom (Andrew Dismukes). He is becoming increasingly anxious. I like that the song is a little off-key – it's not supposed to be good.

But wait, Marcelo Hernandez also makes a surprise appearance as Domingo!

“My Best Friend's House”

It's a Dan Bulla brief, folks. Grande shows up at her best friend's house, which is her third time singing tonight! He reflects nostalgically on the smell of this house: brother's deodorant, father's smelly sauce. It's beautiful, until things take a dark turn. Looks like he missed a few hints.

Sarah Squirm casts cunningly as a severed human head.

FYI — Bulla has produced several Adam Sandler films viz Ridiculous 6, Murder Mystery, And Hubby Halloween. He has written for the show since 2019 but was only named as writing supervisor.

“Charades with Mom”

Bowen Young is meeting her boyfriend's parents and they start playing charades. Mother (grand) becomes very competitive and mean. He continues to insult Yang. Apparently, the show sees Yang as its star these days. There is a fake body moment, then a polyamorous kiss.

Jane Wickline remains somewhat awkward, no?

“Celine Dion Sports Promo”

Ah yes, now we read Grande's Dion impression again. In a hilarious new Sunday Night Football promo, Dion jokes that his hit song “It's All Coming Back to Me Now” perfectly captures NFL rivalries. so now, SNLThe ironic take on what if he did it for the UFC? sure

Stevie Nicks performs “The Lighthouse”.

“The Lighthouse” was released last month as a rallying cry for women, intended to rekindle the fight for reproductive health care. “I have scars, you have/ Don't give them, take your power,” she sings. “They will take away your soul, they will take away your power, unless you save it.” What a song.

As mentioned, the Knicks first played the 8H route in the early 80s. Gary Kroeger recalled that Season 8 performance: “I was in my 20s when he did it. SNL My time there! When he came on the scene 10 years ago, I was in my teens! Was I a fan of Stevie Nicks? Of course I was! He was one, if not the one D Goddess of Rock and Roll. I was too nervous to say hello. My recollection was that he didn't hang out much and I don't remember him after the party, but that doesn't mean my memory is correct. Just that I was too shy to say anything. He was great on the show.”

Sheryl Crow plays guitar and bass and sings on the track, which she co-produced. (And yes, he played three times in 8H.)

Weekend update

Coachella, like Trump, brings out the worst in white people, breaks down Colin Jost. Michael Che joked Trump would soon bang. More Trump jokes — Jost makes a brutal abortion joke, then dings NYC Mayor Adams. “It's the '90s, Colin,” called Cheke (twice). A few Diddy jokes tonight!

Oddly happy Amazon employee Monica (Ego Nodim) wishes us good morning — it's Prime Day, Amazon's biggest sales event. He works a lot, he's invented his own day, and he's hooked up with drones. Very interesting commentary on the workforce/economics of modern technology.

Joel and Liam Gallagher arrive to discuss their Oasis reunion. Tonight they star Sarah Sherman and James Austin Johnson. They discuss the one thing they agree on: cartoons. Jost needs their upcoming tour to work, so he can mosh out and win the White Boy of the Year award. hey SNL History buff, Jim Brewer played Liam Gallagher in a November 1997 episode of Jon Lovitz during the “Set Our Nanny Free” sketch. Oasis also played 8H back in October 1997 with host Matthew Perry.

“Italy, Late Renaissance”

The Italian Renaissance was a period of profound cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival in Italy from the 14th to 17th centuries.

Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg appear in this sketch. I've said it before, but these glorious celebrity appearances aren't mere guest cameos. it is SNL50, a special season — let's recognize these contributions as the Avengers Unite moment of the live network comedy. What they call them: actual cast members! The wings are also curved. It's not just semantics. What exactly are we doing here?

However, the pale and sickly Antonio (Grande) is the son of Rudolph and Samberg, blessed with a heavenly singing voice. They cast him to perfect his voice for local royalty (dismukes). Antonio appears dead inside, despite his parents' protests.

Grande sings “Twist and Scream” here — another sketch where the show relies on her voice. Fun.

Stevie Nicks performs “Edge of Seventeen”.

After the second “game delay” of this episode, we're back to commercial — and it's worth it! “Age of Seventeen” is on the menu, and I know somewhere Joan Cusack is happy. A timeless classic. I am a fan of this!

Another sign of Nicks' longevity: 45 years ago today, Fleetwood Mac released their album the task.

“Maybelline”

Chloe Feynman and Coolidge perform duets through the Grande Mirror. “Wow!” Fineman previously played Coolidge during the Austin Butler and Aubrey Plaza episodes.

Here's a silly surprise: Feynman removes the mirror and appears on the wing curve. (Reminder: Just make these celebrity appearances what they say — being part of the cast!)

This one goes a bit longer, for the promise.

“Hotel Detective”

SNL Black and white goes Grande and Johnson spit 40s dialogue, as they and Dismooks accuse each other of cheating on badges. Stupid rat-a-tat delivery, oh my.

Michael Longfellow is finally “selling” — and commentating — as Rod Serling SNL In the process – a curious touch. Feels rushed.

final thought

– Well, how do you feel about this? Vote here!

– Thanks as always to Gary Kroeger! Check out The Gary and Kenny Show On YouTube! Here's their latest episode with Paul Shaffer.