Justin Timberlake is “Selfish” and “Sanctified” SNL with host Dakota Johnson

For the second episode of Saturday Night Live in 2024, Studio 8H welcomed back Madame Web actress Dakota Johnson, along with musical guest and SNL Five-Timer Club member, Justin Timberlake.

Justin Timberlake SNL

The opening sketch this evening through was a bit more of a cold and dry open, making light of the NFL season coming to an end this weekend (short of the Super Bowl), and draining the last comedic bits of Taylor Swift’s influence, out of the football and SNL seasons.

During Johnson’s monologue where she reminisced about her last stint as host, and brought up The Social Network co-star Justin Timberlake, who showed up to casually remind Johnson that he’s available for sketches, given his Five-Timer Club status.

During the “Waiters” sketch, Sarah Sherman displayed equal parts Gilda Radner and Kristin Wiig with her unique quirk worked in.

“The Barry Gibb Talkshow” returned for the first time since 2013, taking a look at the 2024 election, with Jimmy Fallon making a special appearance as Barry Gibb and Timberlake as Robin Gibb. Bringing this back was a no-brainer with Timberlake on the show this week, even if Fallon has gotten a little tiring as of late.

“Home Videos” would be the highlight of the episode, with Andrew Dismukes as a son who learns his parents were on a Maury Povich-style talk show, where his father (Mikey Day) learned he was the father.

An always a welcome short from Please Don’t Destroy kept their hot streak going, even if Dakota Johnson did knock the trio down a peg, referring to Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy as ‘The Lonelier Island’ in a roast-filled segment.

Timberlake performed “Sanctified” for his first song, the second single from his upcoming sixth solo album, Everything I Thought It Was, due out on March 15. JT was joined by Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe for the rock/rap/R&B number, walking in from stage left, flanked by dancers clad in flowing white dresses, an appearance that was teased last week on Nwigwe’s Instagram.

Timberlake’s second song was the first single from Everything I Thought It Was, “Selfish,” the same title as a 2011 release from his ex, Britney Spears. Surrounded by white neon lines along cascading walls, stripped down with just a drummer and keyboardist, Timberlake sang softly in contrast to “Sanctified,” a more passionate and smooth pop hit in “Selfish.”

SNL returns on Saturday, February 3 with host Ayo Edebiri and musical guest Jennifer Lopez.

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