Saturday Night Live Season 44 Episode 2 Awkwafina / Travis Scott

Awkwafina, the rapper, actress and writer, hosts the second episode of Saturday Night Live's 44th season. Travis Scott, the multi-platinum artist, joins her as the musical guest.

The opening sketch starts with a parody of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Kate McKinnon portrays Senator Lindsey Graham in a passionate speech, with the other cast members playing Senators Chuck Grassley, Diane Feinstein, Cory Booker, and Amy Klobuchar. Alec Baldwin returns as President Trump to give his thoughts on the hearing in a sketch that pokes fun at the drama and emotion of the controversial event.

Awkwafina delivers a hilarious monologue that showcases her quick wit and confident stage presence. She jokes about her experience as an Asian-American woman, her upcoming film projects and her mother's insistence that she date a doctor. The monologue sets the tone for the rest of the show and highlights Awkwafina's comedic talent.

The show takes a turn towards the absurd with a skit about a group of animators who refuse to animate a character that they deem offensive. Awkwafina plays an animator who continually raises the bar for what she considers offensive, leading to hilariously outrageous results. The skit, aptly named "Offensive Animation," features visual gags and witty dialogue that skewer the concept of political correctness.

The show's highlight is a music video parody of the song "T'was the Night Before Christmas," where Awkwafina and the female cast members rap about the struggles of being a woman in today's society. The video, called "A Girl's Christmas," touches on serious topics such as sexual harassment and gender inequality, but does so in a way that is both humorous and empowering.

Travis Scott delivers two electrifying performances, starting with his hit single "Stargazing." The performance features Scott and his backup dancers wearing spacesuits and performing on a set that looks like a spaceship. The chaotic energy of the performance is a perfect match for the song's dark and moody vibe. His second performance is of the song "Skeletons" which features the show's musical guest John Mayer on guitar.

Another standout skit features the cast members playing high school students who are learning about the dangers of vaping. The skit plays like an after-school special, but with a hilarious twist that showcases the cast's ability to create over-the-top characters. Awkwafina plays the tough-love principal who gives the students an unforgettable lesson about the perils of vaping.

Overall, Awkwafina's hosting debut is a standout episode of Saturday Night Live. The show features a perfect balance of political satire, absurd humor, and heartwarming sentiment. Travis Scott delivers two memorable performances that show why he is one of the hottest acts in music right now. The episode highlights the talents of the show's cast, the musical guests, and the host, creating a memorable and entertaining show that is reflective of the series' 44-year history.