Ep 9. Saoirse Ronan / U2

In season 43, episode 9 of Saturday Night Live, host Saoirse Ronan takes the stage with musical guest U2 for a night of comedy, music, and sketch comedy. Ronan, an Irish actress and star of Lady Bird, brings her infectious personality to the show, showcasing her versatility as an actress and her comedic chops.

The episode opens with a cold open sketch featuring the return of Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, whose advisors come up with a new strategy to combat his recent tweet mishaps. The sketch is a satirical take on the real-life controversies surrounding the president's Twitter activity.

Ronan's opening monologue is a charming and funny tribute to her Irish heritage and her recent film roles. She jokes about her love for potatoes and pokes fun at her role in the movie Brooklyn. The monologue includes a surprise visit from her Lady Bird co-star, Timothée Chalamet, who offers a brief but amusing appearance.

The first sketch, titled “Welcome to Hell,” is a music video parody of every bad excuse men have for sexual harassment. The sketch features the female cast members singing and dancing in a catchy tune, while the male cast members join in with cringeworthy comments and excuses. The sketch is a satirical take on the recent wave of sexual harassment allegations that have rocked Hollywood and beyond.

In a recurring sketch called “The Dolphin Who Learned to Speak,” Ronan plays a scientist who has taught a dolphin how to communicate with humans. The sketch is a hilarious take on the absurdity of human connections with animals and the lengths scientists will go to prove their theories.

The musical performances by U2 showcase the band's legendary status with performances of “American Soul” and “Get Out of Your Own Way” off their latest album, Songs of Experience. The band also plays their hit song “Sunday Bloody Sunday” as a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, Ireland.

Other standout sketches include a commercial parody for a fragrance called “Complicit,” in which Ivanka Trump (Cecily Strong) promotes a perfume for women who want to smell like “I don't know what my daddy's doing, but I know I'll always defend it.” The sketch is a humorous take on the public perception of Ivanka Trump's role in her father's administration.

Another notable sketch is a parody of Hallmark Christmas movie tropes called “A Christmas Duet.” The sketch features Ronan and cast member Aidy Bryant as two women who fall in love while singing sappy Christmas songs. The sketch is a hilarious take on the holiday movie genre and features appearances by Kate McKinnon as a meddling aunt and U2 as themselves.

Overall, season 43, episode 9 of Saturday Night Live showcases the talents of host Saoirse Ronan, the legendary band U2, and the show's talented cast. With sketches that range from hilarious to satirical, the episode is a standout in the show's long history.