Ep 19. Lindsay Lohan / Coldplay

In this episode of Saturday Night Live, the guest host is Lindsay Lohan, who had just made headlines for her personal troubles. This marks her first time hosting the show, and the anticipation is high. The music act for the evening is the popular band Coldplay.

The show opens with a sketch about the recent presidential election. The cast members poke fun at the political candidates and their campaigns. Impressions of George W. Bush and John Kerry are spot on and hilarious. Lohan makes her first appearance in a sketch about a high school drama club that is putting on a production of Sweeney Todd. She plays the lead role of Mrs. Lovett and is surprisingly good in the part.

Next up is a parody of a perfume ad featuring Lohan. The sketch pokes fun at the idea of celebrity-endorsed fragrances. Lohan appears in a slinky dress and speaks sultry lines about the perfume, only to be interrupted by a skunk that shows up in the studio. The skunk is played by recurring cast member Will Forte, who always brings the laughs.

One of the standout sketches of the night is a parody of a daytime talk show. Lohan plays the host, who is obsessed with her own looks and can’t stop checking herself out in the mirror. She interviews guests and gives them patronizing advice, including a teenage girl who is struggling with body image issues and a man who is dealing with his wife’s infidelity. The sketch is both funny and uncomfortable, making the audience squirm with its cringe-worthy moments.

Coldplay takes the stage to perform their hit single “Speed of Sound.” The band sounds great and the audience is clearly into it. Cuts to commercial are peppered throughout the show, and we get to see Lohan in a number of pre-taped segments that showcase her comedic talent. One of these features her as a waitress in a restaurant who can’t seem to get the orders right. Another has her playing a spoiled Hollywood diva who is constantly asking for ridiculous things on set.

The show continues with another sketch that features Lohan as a high school student who is getting ready for prom. She is joined by Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph, who play her overbearing parents. They fuss over her dress, hair, and makeup, driving Lohan crazy in the process. The sketch ends with a twist that is unexpected and hilarious.

One of the more controversial sketches of the night is a parody of an MTV reality show called “Pimp My Ride.” In the sketch, Lohan plays a spoiled rich girl who wants to have her already-expensive sports car customized. The crew from the show takes her car and turns it into a monstrosity that is covered in diamonds, fur, and other ridiculous accoutrements. Some viewers may find the sketch offensive, as it seems to glamorize wealth and materialism.

Coldplay returns to the stage for their second song, “Fix You.” The band’s performance is emotional, with lead singer Chris Martin really pouring his heart into the lyrics. The show ends with a sketch that features Lohan as a waitress in a diner who is having a conversation with a customer, played by Fred Armisen. The conversation takes a dark turn, and the sketch ends on a creepy note.

Overall, this episode of Saturday Night Live is a strong one. Lindsay Lohan is a surprisingly good host, delivering her lines with confidence and comedic timing. Coldplay is also great, bringing their signature sound to the SNL stage. Some of the sketches miss the mark, but most of them are solid and entertaining. It’s a fun episode that showcases both Lohan and Coldplay at their best.