Ep 1. Steve Carell/Kanye West

In the season 31 premiere episode of Saturday Night Live, famed actor and comedian Steve Carell takes the stage as host with musical guest Kanye West. From start to finish, the episode is packed with hilarious skits, spot-on impressions, and plenty of surprises.

The show kicks off with an opening monologue from Carell, who quickly establishes himself as a natural fit for live comedy with his sharp delivery and impeccable timing. He jokes about his recent success in Hollywood and pokes fun at the famous faces in the audience, setting the tone for a night filled with laughs.

The first skit of the night, titled "U.N. Debate," features the SNL cast taking on the roles of world leaders in a mock United Nations meeting. Carell leads the charge as the bumbling representative from Denmark, hilariously struggling to keep up with the political jargon and ruffling the feathers of his colleagues from Russia, China, and beyond.

Other highlights from the episode include "The Falconer," a recurring skit featuring Carell as an eccentric bird trainer who takes his falcon to the office with disastrous results, and "Tiny Hats," a bizarre but uproarious commercial parody that takes a simple product premise to absurd heights.

Of course, musical guest Kanye West also gets his time in the spotlight, delivering electrifying performances of his hit songs "Gold Digger" and "Touch the Sky" that are sure to get the audience's feet tapping along.

Throughout the episode, Carell proves himself to be a versatile and dynamic host, fully embracing the SNL ethos of fearless comedy and lighthearted absurdity. Whether he's playing a hapless politician, a clueless dad, or a demented bird enthusiast, he consistently delivers big laughs and makes the most of his time on stage.

All in all, the season 31 premiere episode of Saturday Night Live is a highly entertaining and memorable affair that sets the tone for what promises to be a great season ahead. With Carell at the helm, the show is firing on all cylinders, delivering both raucous laughs and clever commentary on the cultural landscape. Fans of the show are sure to be pleased with this top-notch episode.