Ep 3. John McCain/The White Stripes

John McCain hosted the third episode of season 28 of Saturday Night Live, with musical guests The White Stripes. McCain’s appearance on the show was particularly noteworthy as he was in the midst of his presidential campaign. Political sketches dominated the episode, with McCain himself appearing in several skits.

The show opened with a political sketch parodying the presidential debates between McCain and Barack Obama. The sketch featured Tina Fey returning to impersonate Sarah Palin, who served as McCain’s running mate in the campaign. Fey famously portrayed Palin throughout the 2008 election season, and her appearance in this sketch was a highly anticipated moment for SNL viewers. The sketch made light of the candidates’ talking points and their perceived lack of sincerity during debates.

In another political sketch, McCain played himself in a parody of a campaign ad. The ad featured McCain trying to appeal to younger voters by dancing awkwardly and making references to popular culture. The humorous sketch poked fun at the way politicians attempt to connect with younger audiences, often coming off as out of touch.

Not all of the sketches were political, however. One sketch featured a group of people attending a therapy session for their addiction to the video game World of Warcraft. The sketch was filled with humor targeting the stereotypes of gamers and their social lives.

The musical guests for this episode were The White Stripes, an alternative rock duo known for their energetic live performances. The band performed two songs, including their hit “Icky Thump.”

Overall, the episode was heavy on political content, as is typical for SNL during election cycles. McCain’s appearance on the show was particularly noteworthy, as he showed a willingness to poke fun at himself and the political process. The episode also featured strong performances from the show’s regular cast members and musical guests.