Ep 14. Elle MacPherson/Sting

Between February 24th and March 2nd in 1996, Season 21 Episode 14 of Saturday Night Live aired. Hosted by Elle MacPherson, an Australian model and businesswoman, and musical guest Sting, the episode is full of comedic skits, sketches, and parodies that tackle sensitive and relevant issues of the time.

The episode starts off with a cold open sketch that takes place in the White House press briefing room, where President Clinton is fielding questions from the press about the release of the controversial Whitewater investigation. In this sketch, John Goodman does an excellent job of portraying President Clinton, and the humor is sharp and poignant throughout. Following this, Elle MacPherson takes the stage for her opening monologue. She talks briefly about her modeling career and how excited she is to be hosting the show, before breaking into a song-and-dance number with the SNL cast.

The sketches and skits in this episode touch on a variety of themes such as religion, politics, and the media. One of the most notable sketches of the show is called "Church Chat," where Dana Carvey, in his signature Church Lady character, interviews Elle MacPherson about her modeling career and accuses her of being a "Jezebel." This sketch was a popular recurring feature on SNL at the time and always elicited laughs from the audience.

In another sketch, "The Real World Goes to Washington," the cast lampoons the popular MTV reality TV show by placing its characters in the White House. The sketch plays on the real-life antics of politicians at the time, such as Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton, and highlights the absurdity of politics. The sketch is especially memorable for the line, "I'm not a Congressman, I just play one on TV."

Another highlight of the show is a parody commercial for "Huggies Thong," which pokes fun at the trend of underwear fashion at the time. The concept of the commercial is that Huggies has come up with a thong for men that is both stylish and absorbent, highlighting the ridiculousness of the trend.

The musical guest for the night, Sting, performs two songs from his album "Mercury Falling." His first performance is a moody and powerful rendition of "I Hung My Head," a song about a man who accidentally kills someone and is haunted by the guilt. His second performance, "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot," is a more upbeat and encouraging song that speaks to the importance of self-discovery.

Throughout the episode, the cast members showcase their talents for both physical comedy and impersonations. One standout sketch in this area is called "Nightline: OJ's Next Move," where Norm McDonald does a spot-on impression of Larry King, and Will Ferrell portrays OJ Simpson as a bumbling, clueless ignoramus.

Overall, Season 21 Episode 14 of Saturday Night Live showcases the humor and talent of the show's writers and cast members. The combination of Elle MacPherson's hosting and Sting's musical performances make for a well-rounded and entertaining episode that features memorable sketches and parodies.