Ep 20. Adam Sandler/Shawn Mendes

On the 4th of May 2019, Saturday Night Live Season 44 aired its 20th episode featuring Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes. Known for his comedic talent, Adam Sandler returned to SNL after being a cast member over two decades ago. The host of the night started the show with a tribute to his dear friend Chris Farley, where he sang a touching song that highlighted Farley's best moments in the show. Adam's presence in SNL made the night's show even more exciting for the audience.

As the show began, the Cold Open featured a segment in which Donald Trump, played by Alec Baldwin, telephoned various friends and members of his family to confirm if they had read the Mueller Report. The sketch was hilarious, and as usual, Baldwin nailed his portrayal of Trump. The show then transitioned into the opening credits, indicating that the night's show had officially commenced.

After the credits, the first sketch featured an airline's music playlist that included old and outdated songs like "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega and "Closing Time" by Semisonic. The sketch poked fun at how annoying it can be to have an airline play outdated songs throughout the flight to entertain passengers.

Following the sketch, Adam Sandler came out and delivered an unforgettable monologue, starting the show on a high note. The host talked about how grateful he was to return to SNL, and how it is still his favorite show. He shared some hilarious anecdotes about his time on the show, gave shout-outs to his fellow cast members and paid tribute to his wife and kids. The monologue was filled with jokes that tickled the audience's funny bone.

One of the notable highlights of the night was the sketch where Adam Sandler and Kate McKinnon played a married couple who competed on a game show called "What's that name?". The sketch was unique as it portrayed a realistic situation that many couples can relate to, in which the husband forgets the name of their wife's friend. The scene escalated hilariously as the host forgot more than one answer, leading to further confusion and laughter for the audience.

Another sketch that stood out was one titled "Heroin AM" which depicted an infomercial promoting a coffee infused with heroin. The sketch was controversial but presented an intelligent commentary on the opioid crisis.

As part of the musical performances, Shawn Mendes serenaded the crowd with his hit song "If I Can't Have You" and later the moving ballad "In My Blood". The twenty-year-old's performance showcased his vocal range and his ability to interact with the audience.

As the show progressed, the performances got even better, and the skits funnier. One particular sketch that stood out among the rest was "My Family Car-Ride" that depicted a car ride involving an average family as they sing along to songs on the radio and have the occasional sibling fight. The realistic portrayal of the scene was characters that were all too relatable to most audience members.

Overall, the show was hilarious and entertaining from beginning to end. The skits were well planned and executed, and the chemistry between the host and cast felt natural and effortless. Adam Sandler's return to SNL was a hit, and Shawn Mendes provided a soundtrack that made the performances all the more memorable. The audience left with belly-aching laughs, enjoying the perfect night filled with perfect entertainment.