Ep 6. Joan Allen/Jewel

Saturday Night Live season 24 episode 6 is titled "Joan Allen/Jewel" and features actress Joan Allen and musical guest Jewel. This episode aired on November 14, 1998.

The cold open sees the return of Darrell Hammond's Bill Clinton impression, as he addresses the recent Republican victories in the midterm elections. The skit features appearances from various political figures, including a surprisingly good impression of George W. Bush by Chris Parnell.

The episode's first sketch sees Allen as a spokesperson for a company that produces adult diapers, which quickly descends into a series of increasingly absurd jokes. The sketch is saved by Allen's committed performance, though it may be a bit too crass for some viewers.

Next up is a parody of VH1's Behind the Music, highlighting the career of fictional band "The Unabombers." The skit features a number of callbacks to earlier sketches, as well as a cameo from SNL staple Steve Martin.

Jewel takes the stage for her first performance, showcasing her vocal talents in a powerful rendition of her hit song "Hands." She is joined on stage by a full band and backup singers, making for an impressive and energetic performance.

After the break, the show returns with a pre-taped commercial parody for a fake medication called "Rectalcran." The commercial is a send-up of pharmaceutical ads that promise to treat a variety of ailments with a seemingly endless list of potential side effects.

A recurring skit featuring Will Ferrell as a pretentious celebrity interviewer follows, this time with special guest Allen playing herself. The skit is cleverly written, with Ferrell's character making a number of ridiculous assertions about Allen's work and career.

The next skit features Jewel returning to lend her musical talents to a mock country music awards show. The skit is a bit hit-or-miss, but Jewel's performance is undeniably impressive.

Later in the episode, a fake infomercial is presented for a product called "The Apethany Pen," which claims to be able to write for 50 years without running out of ink. The skit is a clever send-up of the ridiculously specific and unnecessary products often sold on late-night TV.

The final live sketch of the night features Allen playing a lounge singer who is barely holding it together, both emotionally and vocally. The sketch is a bit slow-moving, but Allen's performance is one of the episode's highlights.

The show concludes with a classic SNL "goodnight" segment, featuring Jewel and the cast coming together to say their final farewells. Overall, the episode may not be the strongest of the season, but it has some strong performances and plenty of laughs to keep viewers entertained.