Scarlett Johansson and SNL Mark 50th Season with Billy Joel-Inspired Musical Monologue
Saturday night Live celebrated its milestone 50th season finale with a memorable opening, led by returning host Scarlett Johansson. For her seventh time helming the show, the Jurassic World Rebirth star delivered a musical monologue that cleverly riffed on Billy Joel’s iconic “Piano Man.”
A Nostalgic Start
Johansson expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the finale, stating she was excited to be hosting the finale of season 50.
She reflected on her history with the show, adding, I’m so proud to be a part of it.You know, I first hosted the show when I was 21 years old, so it’s crazy to be back here, what, like 3 years later. Man, time really flies.
This set the stage for the musical tribute that followed.
The Musical Monologue Unfolds
the monologue began with johansson singing, It’s 11:30 on a Saturday, finale of season 50. It’s chaotic and crazy, the whole week is hazy, but there’s no place I’d rather be.
She was soon joined by other cast members, starting with Bowen Yang, who humorously requested to take over a verse.
Did You Know?
Billy Joel’s “piano Man” was inspired by his time playing piano at a bar in Los Angeles while trying to make it as a musician.
Cast Collaboration and Comedy
Yang’s verse included the lines,Sometimes we play likable characters,other times we play J.D. Vance. It’s not always funny, we don’t do it for money, or else Sarah would buy better pants,
as Sarah Sherman joined them onstage. The trio then parodied Joel’s song with, La, la-la, di-dee-da, la-la, di-dee-da, da-dum. Sing us a song, it’s your monologue, sing us a song tonight, as we made 50 years of great memories, every Saturday Night.
Johansson playfully teased the audience with the expectation of a Billy Joel appearance,saying,Ladies and gentleman,Billy Joel… wrote this song.
Mikey Day then quipped,I thought Billy Joel was gonna come out,
to which Johansson responded,Oh,Mikey,so cute,so simple.
Audience Interaction and Inside Jokes
The monologue transitioned into a Q&A session with the audience. Kenan Thompson jokingly asked, Can you introduce me to a dinosaur?
referencing Johansson’s role in the upcoming Jurassic film. Johansson responded, I’m sorry that I called on you.
Adding to the comedic tone, Johansson sang a joke about Sherman’s potential departure from SNL: It’s been a great season and Sarah is leaving, we’re all going miss you next year.
Sherman reacted with surprise, questioning, Wait, what? Did you guys hear something?
The cast continued to hum the tune, but the topic was not revisited later in the episode.
Pro Tip
Musical monologues have become a popular way for SNL hosts to showcase their talents and engage with the audience in a unique and entertaining way.
Cold Open: Trump in the Middle East
The finale’s cold open featured James austin Johnson’s Donald Trump recounting his recent trip to the Middle east with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, played by Emil Wakim. Johnson’s trump noted he’d been having a great time
and was a big fan of everything that Saudi Arabia has to offer, from the oil to the money to end of list.
The sketch also poked fun at Trump allegedly being offered a plane from the Qatari royal family. The Qataris gave me a $400 million plane, can you believe that? And people said that was some sort of bribe. Not true, not true, because they haven’t asked for anything in return,
Johnson’s Trump said, to which Wakim’s bin Salman responded with well, not yet,
with Johnson’s Trump dubbing it down to a pre-bribe.
Johnson’s Trump also referenced Morgan Wallen’s earlier SNL exit, saying, I don’t want to go home, let me stay. Get me to Allah’s country.
Johnson’s Trump concluded the cold open by noting, Since it’s the finale, that means after tonight you won’t be seeing me here for a while. Well, not the fake, fun version of me that makes you smile.
He added, The real one will be omnipresent. You can’t escape me, right? I’m everywhere, even in your dreams like the late great Freddy Krueger. So,see you again in the fall,if we still have a country,right?
Season 50 Highlights
The Eleanor the Great director closed out SNL‘s 50th season alongside Bad Bunny. Johansson returned for her seventh hosting gig, while the three-time Grammy winner served as the musical guest for the third time after notably doubling as host and musical guest during his last appearance in October 2023.
Season 50 featured an array of hosts and musical guests including Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Timothée Chalamet, Lady Gaga, Mikey Madison, Morgan Wallen, Jack Black, Jon Hamm, Quinta Brunson, and Walton Goggins, among others.
