Ep 1. Miley Cyrus

Season 41 of the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live kicked off with a bang on October 3, 2015, with none other than Miley Cyrus as the musical guest and host. The episode was highly anticipated by fans of both SNL and Cyrus, and it did not disappoint.

The episode kicked off with a sketch featuring cast member Vanessa Bayer playing Janessa Slater, a music and style expert who offers dubious advice to celebrities. In this sketch, Bayer as Slater interviews Miley Cyrus and, among other things, suggests that she dress as a sexy squirrel for Halloween. It's a funny and light-hearted way to kick off the show, and both Bayer and Cyrus are in top form.

The next sketch is a pre-filmed parody of the popular TV show Empire, with guest star Chris Hemsworth playing a new rapper trying to impress the show's tough-talking producer. The sketch is well-executed and features some great performances, but it also serves as a showcase for Cyrus's musical talent, as she gets to show off her vocals in a humorous musical number.

The show's political content comes into play with the next sketch, a parody of the Republican presidential debates. Cast members take on the roles of the various candidates, including Donald Trump (played with hilarious absurdity by Taran Killam), and the sketch is full of witty jabs at the candidates' personalities and policies. Cyrus makes a cameo as a millennial voter and holds her own alongside the seasoned comedians.

One of the standout sketches of the night is a parody of a 1950s-style educational film, in which a group of office workers are taught how to deal with a transgender coworker (played by Cyrus). The sketch is funny and clever without being offensive, and it showcases Cyrus's versatility as a performer and her willingness to take on challenging material.

Another highlight is a sketch in which Cyrus plays a news reporter covering a John Boehner press conference. The sketch pokes fun at the former Speaker of the House's tendency to cry in public and features some great impressions of politicians by the SNL cast. Cyrus gives a great performance as the frazzled, put-upon reporter, and the sketch is a great example of SNL's ability to make fun of current events without being mean-spirited.

Throughout the episode, Cyrus also takes part in various musical performances, including a powerful rendition of her hit song "The Twinkle Song" and an emotional performance of "Hands of Love," the theme song from the movie Freeheld. Cyrus's musical performances are powerful and remind viewers why she's been such a popular artist for so many years.

All in all, the season 41 premiere of SNL featuring Miley Cyrus was a great start to the season. The sketches were funny and well-executed, the musical performances were powerful, and Cyrus proved herself to be a talented and versatile host. It's a great episode for fans of comedy and pop music alike, and it's sure to go down as one of the best episodes in SNL history.