Saturday Night Live, coming down off the mind-blowing high that was the 2008 election season, returns with the first of its final two new episodes of the year on Saturday night.  Tomorrow, actor John Malkovich will host Saturday Night Live for the third time in his career.  Malkovich is coming off roles in two high-profile films – The Coen Brothers' Burn After Reading and Clint Eastwood's Changeling.  The musical guest will be T.I.  A week from tomorrow, on Saturday, December 13, Hugh Laurie (House) will host SNL for the second time, and will be joined by mega-star Kanye West as musical guest. 

Not a bad way to end 2008.  Malkovich is one of those guys, like Christopher Walken, who, just by being himself, is a character in his own right.  He gives off a decidedly unique vibe, and SNL will surely be able to utilize his many talents.  The episode that everyone should be excited for, however, is next week's.  Hugh Laurie, while known here in the states for his work on House, got his start in the sketch comedy world over in merry old England.  If you remember the first time he hosted SNL (and you should) then you know how funny Laurie can be.  And, of course, you also have Kanye West who, aside from being one of the best hip-hop artists around, is also a loose cannon. 

Saturday Night Live has found itself in the midst of one of its patented rebirths, suddenly relevant once more.  While most of the the thanks can go to the political environment and Tina Fey's breakout Sarah Palin impersonation, the quality of the show deserves its props.  The current cast, even without recently departed Amy Poehler, is a solid one, and one that is constantly getting better.  I haven't missed an episode in a couple years and, while SNL is always going to be hit and miss at times, the hits have come more frequently than in years past.  With the talent they keep bringing in for hosting duties, I imagine this trend will continue.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)