Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 13 David Spade/Jack Johnson
- TV14
- March 12, 2005
David Spade takes the stage as host of the 30th season, alongside special musical guest Jack Johnson. The cold open features the ever-popular "Hardball with Chris Matthews" sketch, with Darrell Hammond returning as Matthews to interview President George W. Bush, played by Will Ferrell. The sketch is classic political satire, with Ferrell's Bush spouting off nonsensical phrases and making declarations that have nothing to do with the questions asked.
Spade's opening monologue is full of self-deprecating humor, as he jokes about his status as a has-been actor and his recent stint on "The Hollywood Squares." He also takes some jabs at his fellow SNL alumni, such as Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.
One of the standout segments of the night is a parody commercial for "Enchilada Man," a superhero who fights crime with the power of Mexican food. The sketch is a hilarious riff on the superhero genre, with Enchilada Man using guacamole and queso to take down bad guys.
Another memorable sketch features Spade as an uneasy passenger on a high-speed train in Japan, being terrorized by a speed-obsessed conductor played by Kenan Thompson. The sketch is chock-full of slapstick humor, as Spade's character is thrown around the train car while trying to hold onto his briefcase.
Musical guest Jack Johnson delivers laid-back performances of two of his biggest hits, "Banana Pancakes" and "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing." Johnson's soothing vocals and mellow guitar playing provide a nice counterbalance to the frenzied energy of the comedy sketches.
The Weekend Update segment features Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler delivering their characteristically sharp and incisive jokes about the week's news. The segment includes biting commentary about political issues such as the Iraq War and the controversies surrounding the Bush administration.
The episode concludes with a sketch in which Spade, dressed in an absurdly tight suit with a fake six-pack, leads a group of gym-goers in a hilariously inept aerobics routine. The sketch is a fitting end to the episode, as it showcases Spade's talent for physical comedy and his willingness to make fun of himself.
Overall, the David Spade/Jack Johnson episode of Saturday Night Live is a great example of the show's ability to combine sharp political humor with silly, absurdist sketches. Spade's irreverent humor and Johnson's chill music provide a perfect pairing, making for a memorable episode that will likely remain a fan favorite for years to come.