Ep 1. Adam Driver/Kanye West

In the season 44 premiere of Saturday Night Live, actor Adam Driver takes the helm as host while rap superstar Kanye West performs as musical guest. Known for his intense performances in films like Star Wars and BlacKkKlansman, Driver infuses his brand of humor and charisma into sketches throughout the episode.

The show kicks off with a cold open featuring SNL staples Kate McKinnon, Alec Baldwin, and Chris Redd lampooning Brett Kavanaugh's Senate hearing. From there, Driver delivers a monologue that pokes fun at his brooding, serious persona before turning into a musical number.

In one standout sketch, Driver portrays a dad trying to bond with his teenage son by participating in a mock rap battle. The scene is hilarious and tense as Driver's character struggles to keep up with his son's intense rhymes.

But the night belongs to musical guest Kanye West, who delivers two electrifying performances. Clad in a Perrier bottle costume, he puts on a stunning rendition of his hit song "I Love It" alongside fellow rapper Lil Pump. Later, he dons a MAGA hat for "Ghost Town," a track from his latest album.

Throughout the episode, SNL tackles a range of topics with their trademark blend of social commentary and humor. Highlights include a sketch featuring the "Ingraham Angle" news show defending their controversial statements, a spot-on parody of CBS' "60 Minutes" featuring Leslie Jones as Oprah Winfrey, and a short film about a group of friends trying to raise money for hurricane relief.

As always, the sketches are hit or miss, but fans of SNL will appreciate the show's willingness to take on the political and social issues of the day with their unique brand of humor. With Adam Driver at the helm and Kanye West as musical guest, the premiere of season 44 is a strong start to what promises to be another season of laughs and surprises.