Ep 17. Jonah Hill / The Shins

Jonah Hill, the two-time Oscar-nominated actor, returns to host Saturday Night Live for the second time. The episode aired on March 10th, 2012, and featured musical guest The Shins, an indie rock band from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The show begins with Hill delivering his monologue, in which he jokes about his weight loss, his love for SNL, and his role in the hit movie "Moneyball." He also mentions his previous hosting stint, during which he famously played a six-year-old named Adam Grossman, and promises to bring back the character later in the show.

The first sketch is a parody of the GOP presidential primaries, with Mitt Romney (played by Jason Sudeikis) and Rick Santorum (played by Andy Samberg) facing off in a debate. Hill appears as Ron Paul, who is ignored by the moderators and the other candidates. The sketch features many of the usual political gags, like Romney's flip-flopping and Santorum's extreme views, but also includes some unexpected jokes, such as a bit about Newt Gingrich's moon colony.

Next up is a commercial parody for a new TV show called "The Scream," which is basically just a horror movie with commercials inserted at random intervals. Hill plays one of the characters in the show, who keeps getting scared by the commercials and can't focus on the plot. The sketch is a clever commentary on the way TV networks interrupt programming with ads, but also a silly excuse to show some scary and funny commercials.

The third sketch is a digital short, with Hill and some of the SNL cast members singing and dancing to the tune of "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. The twist is that they are all mourning the cancellation of their favorite fast food item, the Taco Bell Chihuahua. The video is a hilarious tribute to the absurdity of fast food culture and the nostalgia for icons from the past.

The musical guest, The Shins, perform two songs during the show. The first one is "Simple Song," a catchy and upbeat track from their album "Port of Morrow." The second one is "It's Only Life," a more contemplative and introspective song that showcases the band's lyrical and melodic skills.

After the musical break, Hill returns as Adam Grossman, the obnoxious child who insists on ordering pastrami sandwiches and playing "Words With Friends" on his iPad. This time, he is at a bar mitzvah and annoying all the adults with his antics. The sketch is a recurring favorite among SNL fans, as Hill's performance is both hilarious and cringe-worthy.

The next sketch is a mock infomercial for a new device called the "Creep," which is essentially a suit that makes the wearer look like a pervert. The joke is that the suit is marketed to people who want to scare off burglars or unwanted guests by pretending to be a creepy old man. Hill plays the inventor of the suit, who demonstrates its features and benefits in a creepy and awkward manner.

The penultimate sketch is a parody of "The Hunger Games," the dystopian novel and movie series about teenagers forced to fight to the death in an arena. Hill plays the host of the show, who introduces the tributes and interviews them before sending them off to battle. The sketch is a clever satire of reality TV and the cult of celebrity, as the tributes are chosen based on their looks and personalities rather than their skills.

The final sketch is a parody of "The Voice," the singing competition show that was popular at the time. Hill plays Adam Levine, one of the judges, who keeps hitting on the female contestants and getting into arguments with the other judges. The sketch is a funny take on the egos and rivalries of celebrity judges, but also a showcase for Hill's talent as a mimic and a comedian.

Overall, the episode is a strong example of SNL's ability to mix topical humor, musical performances, and original sketches into a cohesive and entertaining show. Hill is a versatile and engaging host, who brings energy and wit to his performances, while The Shins provide a welcome break from the comedy with their catchy and intelligent songs.