SNL Season 34 Episode Recaps

Hugh Laurie hosted the annual Christmas episode (show 1542), which featured the sketches "Wedding Toast" and "Cookies," plus Fred Armisen playing blind New York Governor David Patterson on "Weekend Update." This was the last show for Amy Poehler as a cast member.

Show 1543, hosted by Harris, featured "Save Broadway," Kristin Wiig's one-upper character in "Penelope in Therapy," and the first appearance of the "Today Show" sketch that would be repeated throughout the season.

Another dip in quality for the season, the Rosario Dawson-hosted show 1544 included the sketches "Aladdin," "Guantanamo Bay Closeout," the first appearance of Kristin Wiig's "Gilly" and the digital short "A Couple of Homies."

Show 1545 marked comedian Steve Martin's 15th time hosting Saturday Night Live included the commercial for "Edible Pampers," another installment of "Laser Cats," the first appearance of Abby Elliott's excellent Angelina Jolie impression and the underrated "NFL Films" sketch. Steve Martin also performed the song "Late for School" off his album The Crow.

Show 1546 featured another installment of the "Today Show" fourth hour, the better-than-expected game show parody "Sex with Your Wife," "Bad Guys, Good Conversation" and the film "I'm On a Boat," one of the three funniest digital shorts of the season.

Alec Baldwin returned for the 14th time to host show 1547, but the show wasn't nearly as good as his past hosting efforts. Sketches include "Fourth Jonas" (featuring musical guest The Jonas Brothers), the digital short "Property of the Queen" (again featuring The Jonas Brothers), "Wii Guys" and another installment of "Cougar Den," once again with a guest appearance by Cameron Diaz. Original cast member Dan Aykroyd also appeared during the episode's cold open.

Former pro wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hosted show 1548, in which he played the president in "The Rock Obama." Other sketches include "Hawaiian Hotel," Kristin Wiig in another "Activia Commercial" and the very funny "To the Lighthouse."

Former cast member Tracy Morgan returned to host SNL for the first time for show 1549, which was heavy on sketches and characters Morgan used to do during his time in the cast. In addition to new installments of "Brian Fellows' Safari Planet" and "Astronaut Jones," sketches include another parody of The View, Kenan Thompson's "Scared Straight" sketch, a funny "Dateline" piece and the digital short "Party Guys."

Show 1550, hosted by Rogen, featured the sketches "Girlfriend Voice," "Fast and Bi-Curious," the digital short "Like a Boss," the ambitious but disappointing "Muppet Bus" and a baby-off between Madonna and Angelina Jolie during "Weekend Update."

High School Musical star Efron hosted show 1551, which featured the parody "High School Musical 4," "Cool Bar" (about a bar that serves big-time minors), another Kristin Wiig "Gilly" sketch and repeat appearances by both Angie Tempura: Celebrity Blogger and Bon Jovi cover band Jon Bovi during "Weekend Update."

After multiple guest appearances throughout the season, Justin Timberlake finally hosted for show 1552. The episode featured a few of his greatest hits, including "Surgery Center" and "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" (with guest star Jimmy Fallon). Other sketches included another "Target Lady" sketch, the funny "Immigrant Tale" and "Motherlover," the best digital short of the season. Guest appearances included Jessica Biel, Susan Sarandon, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy.

Season 34 went out with a bang with this Will Ferrell-hosted installment, which featured a ridiculous amount of guest stars. Sketches included "Celebrity Jeopardy," another "Lawrence Welk Show" installment, an appearance by the ghost of Harry Caray on "Weekend Update" and the brilliant and oddly moving "Goodnight, Saigon." Guest appearances were made by Tom Hanks, Norm MacDonald, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Elizabeth Moss, Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd and Artie Lange.