Saturday Night Live Season 21 Episode 17 Steve Forbes/Rage Against the Machine

Steve Forbes, the CEO of Forbes Inc. and former Republican presidential candidate, hosts the seventeenth episode of the twenty-first season of Saturday Night Live. As one of the most successful businessmen of his time, Forbes brings his financial insights and charisma to the SNL stage. Accompanying Forbes is the politically charged rock group Rage Against the Machine, known for their confrontational lyrics and powerful performances.

Opening the show is a sketch where David Spade interviews Steve Forbes, who plays himself. Spade portrays a young, naive journalist who struggles to keep up with Forbes's quick-witted responses. Forbes shares his views on the economy, including his belief in capitalism and privatization of public services such as schools and prisons. The sketch showcases Forbes's sense of humor, as well as his ability to defend his controversial positions.

The first musical performance of the night comes from Rage Against the Machine, who perform their hit song "Bulls on Parade." The band's energy electrifies the audience, with lead singer Zack de la Rocha's brash vocals and Tom Morello's distinctive guitar riffs driving the song.

For the next sketch, Forbes joins the cast in a parody commercial for a new business venture, "Forbes Bros. Inc." The company offers ludicrous services such as "professional badminton consultation" and "live streaming on your grandparent's answering machine." The sketch pokes fun at Forbes's reputation as a prominent businessman while highlighting the absurdity of corporate culture.

Rage Against the Machine returns to the stage for their second performance of the night, playing "People of the Sun" from their latest album. The song's socially conscious lyrics and driving rhythm showcase the band's political commentary and musicianship.

One of the standout sketches of the night is a mock infomercial for "Tarzan T***ie Twister," in which male actors attempt to twist their nipples and swing from vines like the famous jungle man. The sketch is a combination of physical comedy and absurd humor, with each actor failing miserably in their attempts to emulate Tarzan.

Forbes takes center stage again in a sketch where he plays himself in a music video for a song called "Money Is Good." The song is an ode to the power of wealth and the enjoyment it can bring to one's life. The sketch is a tongue-in-cheek take on Forbes's capitalist ideology and highlights the divide between the rich and poor in society.

The episode concludes with another performance from Rage Against the Machine, playing "Freedom" from their debut album. The song's potent lyrics and explosive energy leave the audience on a high note.

Overall, the twenty-first season's seventeenth episode of Saturday Night Live features a dynamic pairing of Steve Forbes and Rage Against the Machine. Forbes brings his financial expertise and humor to the stage while Rage Against the Machine delivers electrifying performances that showcase their political commentary and musical talent. The sketches and musical performances are a mix of absurdity and social consciousness, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking episode.