Ep 8. Annette Bening/Gwen Stefani, Akon

The 32nd season of Saturday Night Live, which aired in 2006-2007, featured a star-studded lineup of hosts and musical guests. Episode 8 of the season was hosted by Annette Bening, with musical performances by Gwen Stefani and Akon.

Annette Bening is an acclaimed actress known for her roles in films such as American Beauty, The Kids Are Alright, and Being Julia. She brought her talent and charisma to the SNL stage, taking part in the show's famous skits and sketches. Fans were excited to see what Bening would bring to the show, and she did not disappoint.

Gwen Stefani was the musical guest for the episode, performing songs from her 2006 album The Sweet Escape. Stefani rose to fame in the 1990s as the lead singer of the band No Doubt. Her solo career has been equally successful, with hits like "Hollaback Girl," "The Sweet Escape," and "Wind It Up." Stefani's performances on SNL were energetic and flashy, showcasing her unique style and personality.

Akon, the Senegalese-American singer and rapper, also performed on the episode. Akon had already achieved major success by 2006 with hits like "Lonely," "Locked Up," and "Smack That." His performance on SNL was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. Akon brought his trademark charisma and energy to the stage, performing a mix of his biggest hits and new material.

Together, Bening, Stefani, and Akon made for a dynamic and entertaining episode of SNL. The show featured a variety of skits and sketches, ranging from political commentary to pop culture parody. Bening proved to be a versatile and hilarious host, delivering memorable performances in sketches like "The Californians" and "Reunited Apart." Meanwhile, Stefani's musical performances were a highlight of the episode, showcasing her distinctive voice and stylish stage presence.

One of the most memorable skits of the episode was a parody of the famous children's show Sesame Street. In the skit, Bening played the role of a new character on the show named Ms. Bening. The sketch poked fun at Sesame Street's history of addressing social issues, with Ms. Bening teaching the characters about the dangers of gambling, substance abuse, and littering. The skit was goofy and irreverent, with Bening clearly having a blast in the role.

Another notable skit from the episode was a sketch called "Target Greatland." The sketch was a parody of Target's then-recent decision to change its name to simply "Target." In the skit, Bening played a Target employee who is frustrated by the rebranding, and tries to convince customers to still refer to the store as "Target Greatland." The skit was a clever commentary on the often-ridiculous world of corporate branding, and Bening's performance was pitch-perfect.

Overall, Annette Bening's episode of SNL was a fun and entertaining watch. Bening proved to be a game and versatile host, while Stefani and Akon delivered memorable musical performances. The skits and sketches were varied and funny, with plenty of memorable moments to enjoy. Fans of SNL or any of the episode's guest stars are sure to enjoy this episode.