Saturday Night Live Season 28 Episode 1 Matt Damon/Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
- Not Rated
- October 5, 2002
In the first episode of Saturday Night Live season 28, superstar actor Matt Damon takes on hosting duties alongside legendary musician Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as musical guest. The episode kicks off with a cold open sketch featuring a political parody, followed by a monologue from Damon that touches on his recent film projects and personal life.
The cast then takes on a variety of sketches, including a hilarious game show parody called "What's That Name?", where contestants struggle to remember the names of people they've just met. Another standout sketch features Damon as a man who becomes obsessed with a strange hole in his backyard, which turns out to be a portal to another dimension.
The musical performances from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band prove to be a highlight of the episode, with Springsteen debuting two songs from his latest album, The Rising. The first song, "Lonesome Day", showcases Springsteen's signature rock sound with a driving beat and soaring guitar solos. The second song, "The Rising", is a more somber ballad that reflects on the tragedy of 9/11 and the aftermath.
Other memorable moments from the episode include a sketch featuring Damon as a clueless actor who can't stop ruining scenes by breaking character, and a hilarious parody ad for a fictional product called "Sleepy Time Meatballs".
Overall, the first episode of SNL season 28 delivers plenty of laughs and showcases the talent of its host and musical guest. Fans of the show and Springsteen in particular won't want to miss this one.
