Ep 21. Natasha Lyonne / Japanese Breakfast

Saturday Night Live season 46 episode 21, titled "Natasha Lyonne / Japanese Breakfast", is a typically humorous and irreverent affair which fans of the long-running sketch comedy series will no doubt enjoy. This episode features actress Natasha Lyonne as host, who is perhaps best known for her role as Nicky Nichols in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Taking on hosting duties is no easy feat on Saturday Night Live, but Lyonne is game for the challenge and throws herself into the task with gusto.

The opening sketch of the episode sees the usual sendup of current events, with a cold open featuring a parody of Fox News channel's morning show, Fox & Friends. This time around, the sketch focuses on the recent controversy over voting rights, with the hosts attempting to downplay the importance of recent state-level laws making it harder for people to vote. This sets the tone for the rest of the episode, which sees the traditional mix of political satire, social commentary, and absurdist humor that has become the show's trademark.

Throughout the episode, Lyonne proves to be a lively and engaging host, demonstrating an impressive range of comedic skills and a willingness to throw herself into whatever sketch she's in. One standout moment sees her taking part in a parody of a reality TV dating show, in which she plays a contestant looking for love alongside other celebrities like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. It's an absurd but entertaining sketch that showcases Lyonne's goofier side.

Another highlight of the episode is a satirical musical sketch featuring musical guest Japanese Breakfast, in which co-hosts Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett play two clueless white guys who attempt to make a hip-hop song despite having no idea what they're doing. The sketch is a hilarious takedown of cultural appropriation and the commodification of black culture, with Japanese Breakfast providing some catchy tunes.

Other sketches in the episode take aim at topics ranging from Instagram influencers to public school teaching, and there are plenty of celebrity impressions to keep fans amused. One particularly delightful segment sees Bowen Yang playing Kim Jong-un in a mock talk show called "What Still Works?", in which the North Korean dictator interviews different things to see if they're still functional in his country.

As always, the episode is not without its missteps, and a couple of sketches fall flat or overstay their welcome. But overall, it's a strong showing for the SNL team and a fun way to spend a Saturday night. Lyonne is a great host who manages to find the humor in even the most absurd situations, and Japanese Breakfast provides some welcome musical interludes that demonstrate the range and depth of their talents. All in all, Saturday Night Live season 46 episode 21 is a solid entry in the show's impressive canon, and fans of the series are sure to appreciate its infectious energy and irreverent spirit.