Saturday Night Live Season 44 Episode 16 Idris Elba / Khalid

In season 44, episode 16 of the legendary late-night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, host Idris Elba brings his British wit and charm to the stage. Elba, known for his roles in popular TV shows and movies like The Wire, Luther, and Thor, among others, is a beginner at hosting comedy but brings an excitement to the show that is contagious.

As usual, Saturday Night Live opens with a cold open sketch that sets the tone for the rest of the episode. In this episode, the cold open features a parody of Michael Cohen's congressional testimony, with Ben Stiller reprising his role as Trump's former lawyer. The sketch also features appearances by former SNL cast members Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, who play congressmen.

The show then transitions into Elba's monologue, which includes a mix of humor, music, and audience interaction. Elba acknowledges the fact that he's not typically known for comedy, but jokes about his accent and shares a funny story about his experience at a strip club. Music artist Khalid then joins Elba on stage for a duet of his hit song "Talk," which features a surprise twist in typical SNL fashion.

Next up is a sketch that pokes fun at the popular Bachelorette TV show, with Elba playing the Bachelor himself. The sketch is full of hilarious and cringe-worthy moments, as the women vying for his attention include a woman who only speaks in hashtags and a woman who is a convicted felon.

Another memorable sketch involves Elba playing a school principal trying to inspire his students, all of whom have terrible attitudes and won't listen to him. However, a surprise visit from Khalid, who performs a song that the students actually enjoy, leads to an uplifting and heartwarming moment.

In a recurring Weekend Update segment, anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che provide their unique brand of commentary on recent news and pop culture events, including a hilarious takedown of a recent Instagram influencer fail. The segment also features appearances by Cecily Strong as Cathy Anne and Pete Davidson as himself.

Other standout sketches in the episode include an Office parody (with Elba playing a character that is essentially a combination of Michael Scott and David Brent), a spoof of celebrity workout DVDs, and a game show in which contestants have to identify whether a celebrity tweet is real or fake.

The episode wraps up with a musical performance from Khalid, who performs his hit song "Better." Elba joins him on stage for the final moments of the show, showing off his dance moves and having fun with the rest of the cast.

Overall, Idris Elba brings a fresh energy to Saturday Night Live in season 44, episode 16. The sketches are diverse and entertaining, and Elba's comedic chops are surprisingly strong. With the help of musical guest Khalid, this episode is an absolute joy to watch from start to finish.