Ep 14. Conan O'Brien/Don Henley

Conan O'Brien, the then-host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, filled in as the host of this episode of Saturday Night Live. The episode aired on February 24, 2001, and featured Don Henley as the musical guest. This was O'Brien's second time hosting the show, and he brought his signature humor and wit to the sketches throughout the night.

The episode began with a cold open sketch featuring Will Ferrell as President George W. Bush. The sketch tackled the controversy surrounding Bush's deliberation on whether or not to fund stem cell research. Ferrell's impression of Bush garnered laughs from the audience as he stumbled over his words and struggled to explain the issue at hand. The sketch set the tone for the rest of the episode, with the cast taking on topical issues in a comedic light.

One of the most memorable sketches of the night was a parody of Survivor called "The Weakest Link: Survivor Edition." The sketch featured cast members impersonating various celebrities, including Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Rosie O'Donnell, competing on a game show hosted by an intense and insulting Anne Robinson (played by Darrell Hammond). The sketch was a hit with the audience, thanks in large part to O'Brien's spot-on impression of Sean Connery.

Another standout sketch was a commercial parody for a new product called "Fart Pillow." The sketch featured O'Brien as a spokesperson for the product, which was advertised as a pillow that emitted fart noises to help its user fall asleep. The sketch was silly and crude, but it was a hit with the audience and showcased O'Brien's willingness to go all in on a joke.

Henley's musical performances were also a highlight of the episode. The musician performed two songs, "Taking You Home" and "Inside Job," both from his solo album Inside Job. Henley's smooth voice and impressive guitar skills were on full display, and the audience responded with enthusiastic applause after each performance.

The episode also included a number of other sketches, including a game show parody called "Clash of the Hams" and a sketch where O'Brien and Chris Kattan portrayed old-timey vaudevillians. While not all of the sketches landed with the audience, O'Brien's charisma and comedic timing were on full display throughout the night, and he held his own alongside the talented SNL cast.

Overall, Conan O'Brien's second stint as a host on Saturday Night Live was a success. The sketches were hit or miss, but O'Brien's presence brought a sense of energy and excitement to the episode. Don Henley's musical performances were a highlight of the night, and the show did a good job of tackling topical issues with humor and wit. Fans of O'Brien or SNL in general will enjoy revisiting this episode.