Ep 22. Amy Schumer / Kacey Musgraves

On the twenty-second episode of the forty-third season of Saturday Night Live, the guest host was none other than the effortlessly hilarious and whip-smart comedian, writer and actress Amy Schumer. Joining her as the musical guest was the Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter, Kacey Musgraves.

The episode kicked off with a cold open sketch that took a dig at President Trump's recent decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. The sketch featured Melania Trump (played by Cecily Strong), Mike Pence (Beck Bennett) and other members of the administration, all attempting to cheer the president up as he sulks on a bed watching cable news. The sketch was pointed and funny, and set the tone for the show to follow.

Amy Schumer's opening monologue was a hilarious and heartfelt appraisal of her recent experiences of marriage and womanhood, with Schumer joking about the many absurdities of her big day and touching upon the noise and nonsense in the world of social media. The monologue was well-written and sharply performed, and it underlined why Schumer is one of the most beloved and funny comics working today.

One of the standout sketches of the night was "Mother Knows Best," a mock commercial for a phone app that alerts mothers about their children's health, happiness and general wellbeing at all times. The sketch featured Schumer as the app spokesperson, and it poked fun at the anxiety-riddled nature of modern parenting in the age of smartphones and social media. The sketch was heightened by an appearance from Tina Fey, who played a mom at the end of her tether, driven to distraction by the app's constant notifications.

Another great sketch was "The Day You Were Born," a spoof of a saccharine cable access show that celebrates birthdays. Schumer played the unsuspecting birthday girl, and the sketch embraced the grotesque physical comedy that the show does so well.

There was also an interesting and subversive sketch about the American Dental Association, featuring Schumer as a dentist who pitches a revolutionary new toothpaste which prevents men from being "morally bad." The sketch was surprisingly trenchant given its silly premise, and it was a reminder of how SNL can use humor to make cutting political points.

Kacey Musgraves' musical performances were intimate and warm, with the singer delivering her signature blend of country and pop with consistency and charm. Her first song was "High Horse," a playful disco-tinged number that earned her a standing ovation from the audience. Her second song was "Slow Burn," a beautiful and heartfelt ballad that showcased her incredible voice.

Overall, Amy Schumer's guest-host duties made for a strong and memorable episode of Saturday Night Live. The show leaned into Schumer's humor and charisma, and the sketches and skits demonstrated that she is still one of the most talented and unique voices in comedy. Kacey Musgraves brought a dose of country charm to the proceedings, and her musical performances were a perfect complement to Schumer's comedy. All in all, the episode was a highlight of the season, and it will no doubt be remembered as one of the funniest and most entertaining episodes of the show in recent memory.