Ep 1. Seth MacFarlane/Frank Ocean

The 38th season of the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live premiered with Seth MacFarlane serving as the host and Frank Ocean as the musical guest. The episode was highly anticipated as it marked both MacFarlane and Ocean's first time appearing on the show. The episode kicked off with a cold opening sketch that parodied the presidential campaign trail with Jay Pharaoh portraying President Obama and Jason Sudeikis playing Mitt Romney. The sketch was well-received and set the tone for the rest of the episode.

MacFarlane, best known for creating popular animated comedies such as Family Guy and American Dad, was a natural fit for the show. He showcased his many talents throughout the episode, including his ability to impersonate a variety of celebrities. One standout sketch featured MacFarlane playing Ryan Lochte, the Olympic swimmer who had recently made headlines with his infamous "Jeah!" catchphrase. MacFarlane's impression was spot-on, and the sketch was a hit with audiences.

The episode also featured a number of recurring sketches, including Weekend Update, which was hosted by Seth Meyers. Meyers' witty commentary provided the perfect segue to the various news stories of the week. One particular segment of note was a mock interview with Ann Romney, played by Kate McKinnon. McKinnon's portrayal of Romney was both hilarious and spot-on, and she quickly became a fan favorite.

Musical guest Frank Ocean also delivered a standout performance during the episode. The singer-songwriter performed both "Thinkin Bout You" and "Pyramids" off of his critically acclaimed album, Channel Orange. His soulful, introspective music provided the perfect contrast to the show's more over-the-top comedic segments.

Throughout the episode, MacFarlane proved to be a versatile and engaging host, seamlessly transitioning from sketch to sketch and showcasing his comedic chops in a variety of different roles. His opening monologue was a highlight of the night, as he poked fun at his own reputation for being a jack-of-all-trades.

Overall, the season 38 premiere of Saturday Night Live was a success. The show's reputation for being one of the most iconic comedy programs on television was upheld, thanks in large part to the talented cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring the episode to life. Fans of the show were undoubtedly left eagerly awaiting the next episode, as the bar had been set high for the rest of the season.