Saturday Night Live Review -- Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga -- 5/21/11

OPENING -- Riker's Island Dominique Strauss-Kahn -- 8

Jay Pharoah and Kenan Thompson play two hardened convicts who confront Dominque Strauss-Kahn with their expert knowledge on economic downturn in the world. Listening to the two debate about European economics is pretty funny. Ending with a rape joke.... not so much.

MONOLOGUE -- JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE -- 9

Justin Timberlake sings a song about all the things he isn't going to do tonight (while doing them). It's funny and self-deprecating. Perhaps the best monologue all year.

BRING IT ON DOWN TO LIQUORVILLE -- 9

Justin Timberlake plays a variation of his costumed promotional character, dressed as a beer bottle. This time he is facing off against Kristen Wiig's giant tea bag. Justin's physical comedy is hysterical as he dances with his costume. Lady Gaga turns up in the sketch as a bottle of wine with wine glass arms and the two work really well together. Inspired silliness.

WXPD NEWS -- 8

Bill Hader plays an ancient sexist reporter covering a school evacuation. He has no idea what he's reporting, can't control his microphone, but has all the pride in the world. Hader and Timberlake's interaction as Hader keeps hitting Timberlake with a microphone is a riot, as are Hader's various asides. They've done this before, but this is funny.


DIGITAL SHORT -- IT'S OKAY IN A THREE WAY --8

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg sing a song about why two guys and a girl isn't wrong "if it's in a 3-way." Lady Gaga plays the third. Much funnier than most of the other songs this year.

LADY GAGA -- THE EDGE OF GLORY/ JUDAS -- 8

Lady Gaga can sing, and she seems to understand that the costumes and setdressings are simplly silly theatre. The performance is engaging, but I just wish people would sing, sometimes.

WEEKEND UPDATE -- 7

Seth Meyers does a very funny "Really?" rant about Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying "you have giant balls for a guy who has tiny steroid balls" and "When I saw you with a cigar, were you just celebrating another baby?"

Nicholas Cage (Samberg) and Bradley Cooper (Bradley Cooper) discuss acting, in which Cage goes crazy over the fact that Hangover II sounds like a movie he should be doing.

The short weekend update ends with a brief appearance by Stefon as he and Seth Meyers walk off together.

WHAT'S THAT NAME -- 8

The game show in which arrogant people can't remember the names of people in their lives. Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga play themselves. Timberlake gets approached by a woman who he had sex with and told was talented. Of course, he can't remember. Lady Gaga has a slightly different result. The final person to approach Justin Timberlake is absolutely hysterical. A great play on both star's reputations.


SS CUPID -- 5

Nasim Pedrad and Jason Sudeikis are accosted by three robotic singers on a ride. A reprise of a skit that appeared earlier in the year. Funny the first time. Merely annoying the second.

SECRET WORD --

Kristen Wiig plays her obnoxious bad actress character and Justin Timberlake plays a mentalist who makes spoons disappear with obvious wires. Another repeat of this character that gives a great chance to

BORN THIS WAY -- 7

Seriously, Lady Gaga, nothing is shocking anymore. So ending your hit song with a fake birth of glitter is just ridiculous.

BARRY GIBB TALK SHOW -- 6

Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon reprise their roles as the Brothers Gibbs in their talk show. Barry Gibb talks to Ben Bernake (Armisen), and Rachel Maddow (Elliott). This isn't nearly as funny as other versions of this until Barry has a heart attack in the middle of a rant and Robin Gibb has to shock him back to life with gold medallions.

OVERALL -- 7

A decent ending to a lousy season of SNL. Timberlake proves once again to be a capable and funny host, and Gaga seems to be having fun as well. There were no outright bombs in the sketchs and many were quite funny. Now let's hope SNL retools for next season.