January 10, 2009

January 10, 2009 Season 34 episode


Episode	648
Season Episode	12
Host	Neil Patrick Harris
Musical Guest(s)	Taylor Swift
Song(s) performed by Musical Guest(s)	"Love Story" "Forever & Always"

Previous Episode
December 13, 2008

Next Episode
January 17, 2009

Saturday Night Live premiered its 648th episode and 12th episode of Saturday Night Live's 34th season on January 10, 2009. It was hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris, star of the classic ABC's medical sitcom Doogie Howser, M.D. and the hit CBS' sitcom How I Met Your Mother, as well as the CBS' holiday special The Christmas Wish and the musical guest was Taylor Swift who performed "Love Story" and "Forever and Always". Liza Minnelli was the only special guest or cameo appearance. The only hosting stint was made on SNL for Neil Patrick Harris and this was Taylor Swift’s musical guest debut on SNL.

With Amy Poehler's departure, Seth Meyers continues to do Weekend Update by himself, but this is the first episode to have the solo "Weekend Update with Seth Meyers" tag.

Cast[]

Repertory Players[]

Featured Performers[]

Sketches and Music Performances[]

Cold Open Sketch Videotaped Weekend Update Music Performance Other

Title	Image	Summary
The Rachel Maddow Show Cold Open		Rachel Maddow (Abby Elliott) interviews disgraced former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich (Jason Sudeikis) and his Sente appointee, Roland Burris (Kenan Thompson).
Opening Montage		Amy Poehler is removed from the opening montage, as she left the show at the end of the following previous month's Christmas episode.
Neil Patrick Harris' Monologue		Hosting for the only time, actor Neil Patrick Harris makes a point-for-point criticism of former child star Fred Savage’s SNL hosting stint in 1990 and he is then made the object of poorly-constructed jokes by a group of goofy audience members (Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan) and Mark Wahlberg (Andy Samberg).
Today		The fourth and final hour of “Today” is a train wreck, as co-hosted by chatty Kathie Lee Gifford (Kristen Wiig) and an insufferable Hoda Kotb (Michaela Watkins). Tensions build when they welcome a fitness instructor (Neil Patrick Harris) to the set.
Save Broadway		At Sardi’s, a group of Broadway performers struggle to find a way to keep the faltering economy from preventing the cancellation of their long-running stage shows.
Penelope: Group Therapy		Penelope (Kristen Wiig) one-ups the other members (Will Forte, Bill Hader, Kenan Thompson and Casey Wilson) of a group therapy session by bragging of her close friendship with Liza Minnelli.
SNL Digital Short: The Doogie Howser Theme
Taylor Swift performs "Love Story"
Weekend Update with Seth Meyers		Starting with this episode, Seth Meyers continues to anchor Weekend Update by himself, but this time, there's an official title card to make it official. Features guests, Charles Barkley (Kenan Thompson) makes excuses for his latest traffic violation and Will Forte sings a song about the BCS.
Two First Names		Neil Patrick Harris welcomes other famous celebrities (Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Darrell Hammond, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson) with two first names, while shunning wanna-bes like Daniel-Day Lewis (Bill Hader).
Fran and Freba		Long-nailed air traffic controllers Fran (Neil Patrick Harris) and Freba (Kristen Wiig) gab about co-worker Gil (Will Forte).
Frost v. Other People		In a trailer for the “Frost/Noxin” sequel, David Frost (Neil Patrick Harris) ineptly interviews a slew of other 70’s-era celebrities with little to hide.
Taylor Swift performs "Forever & Always"
Whopper Virgins		Burger King execs (Neil Patrick Harris, Kristen Wiig) discover immigrants (Bobby Moynihan, Michaela Watkins, Fred Armisen) who not only have never eaten a Whopper but are also unable to comprehend its purpose.
Goodnights and Closing Credits		Neil Patrick Harris thanked Taylor Swift, Liza Minnelli, this has been an unbelievable week, the cast and crew, they're extraordinary and Lorne and he reminded everybody to have a great night and thanked them for watching.