Ep 20. Melissa McCarthy / HAIM

Melissa McCarthy hosted the 20th episode of the 42nd season of the iconic sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, bringing her impeccable comic timing and outrageous energy to the stage. The musical guest for the night was the ultra-talented all-women band HAIM, who delivered a rockin' performance that had the audience on their feet.

The episode started off with a bang, as McCarthy channeled her famed impersonation of White House press secretary Sean Spicer for a show-stopping cold open. With her hair slicked back and a scowl plastered on her face, McCarthy transformed into the harried, belligerent persona that she's made famous over the past few months. The skit poked fun at Spicer's often-flustered demeanor and his tendency to resort to outrageous lies in order to defend the Trump administration's policies.

From there, the episode continued to hit it out of the park with a variety of hilarious sketches and segments. McCarthy's unbridled energy was on full display, as she threw herself into every character and bit with full force. She proved herself to be a master of physical comedy, jumping, dancing, and flailing her way through each skit with a seemingly boundless supply of energy.

One standout sketch from the episode featured McCarthy as a hapless gum-chewing office worker who just can't seem to stop talking about her weekend plans. The other employees around her become more and more exasperated as she drones on and on about her elaborate plans for a busy Saturday, and the tension builds to a hilarious climax as her coworkers explode in frustration.

Another standout moment from the episode was a recurring segment called "Weekend Update," which features two of the show's cast members presenting a satirical news roundup. This episode's segment was particularly biting, with the hosts skewering everything from Trump's tax returns to the recent AHCA healthcare bill. McCarthy even made a surprise appearance during the segment, popping up as a version of Spicer that was even more absurd than her original portrayal.

Throughout the episode, HAIM provided some much-needed musical relief, delivering a trio of soulful, rock-inspired performances. Their vocals blended together seamlessly, creating a tightly woven tapestry of sound that impressed even the most jaded music fans in the audience.

Overall, the Melissa McCarthy / HAIM episode of SNL was a standout installment in an already-stellar season. With its biting political commentary and uproarious comedy sketches, the episode served as a solid reminder of why the show has remained a cultural mainstay for over four decades. Whether viewers were tuning in for the political satire or just looking for a good laugh, they were sure to find something to love in this episode.