--- title: "Top Ten SNL Hosts and Musical Guests of 2011 | TopTenFast" meta: author: TopTenFast description: "It's hard to remain faithful to something that dissapoints so often, on a weekly basis no less. But it's hard to stay mad at something that's been an ent" "og:description": "It's hard to remain faithful to something that dissapoints so often, on a weekly basis no less. But it's hard to stay mad at something that's been an ent" "og:title": "Top Ten SNL Hosts and Musical Guests of 2011 | TopTenFast" "twitter:description": "It's hard to remain faithful to something that dissapoints so often, on a weekly basis no less. But it's hard to stay mad at something that's been an ent" "twitter:title": "Top Ten SNL Hosts and Musical Guests of 2011 | TopTenFast" --- ![TopTenFast - Create \& Vote on Top Ten Lists](https://toptenfast.com/og-image-v2.jpg) [![TopTenFast logo](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/favicon.png)TopTenFast](/) Log In All Lists [TV](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/category/tv) 0 # Top Ten SNL Hosts and Musical Guests of 2011 [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=20)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)·15y· 4·Share It's hard to remain faithful to something that dissapoints so often, on a weekly basis no less. But it's hard to stay mad at something that's been an entertainment institution for about 35 years now, entertaining and representing each generation with uber-relevant hosts and musical guests that, if nothing else, provide themselves in lieu of how funny they are when written into comedy sketches. In a celeb-obsessed culture, an hour and a half of unabashed screen-chomping by someone you adore or idolize is totally worth however mediocre the writing in a given week. Don't get me wrong, SNL is often stocked with unyielding talent, both in and behind the scenes, and still launches more careers than Monster.com, but it's the lack of consistency and complacent dependence on fleeting successes that kills what made the show so magical in its prime (back when it was called Saturday Night Live). More often than not you have to rely on star-power to breath some fresh life into the show, and here are ten of such that did so this year (despite the challenge).… More Post comment Recent 1. 11 [The Strokes [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Only the Strokes could redeem an episode of SNL hosted by Disney's Hanna Montana; their appearance was amongst a rare few glimpses at the Strokes returning to the world's podium (they last appeared on SNL in 2006 and previosuly in 2002). Performing two songs from their latest album (which had yet to be released), it was exciting to see what was about to unfurl on live television. And only on live television can Julian Casablancas get away with dropping an f-bomb unexpectedly at the end of a song of which he apparently fumbled some of the lyrics. He didn't get the notorious Lorne Michaels wrath (see Sinead O'Connor), which might have something to do with how apologetic he looked at the end of the first song immediately after (a rare image). The only thing that seemed to happen was that the expletive was ommitted in subsequent reruns of the episode. Nevertheless, the moment was glorious for those who enjoy the carefree punk spirit about the band.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/the-strokes)Post comment 2. 21 [Justin Timberlake [![Anonymous](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=0c2e2687-3780-5ba5-9d54-cf43da624e29&size=16)Anonymous](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/Anonymous)11y JT is a cast favorite, hosting SNL four times in the last 8 years, and is part of a Youtube sensation stemming from a "digitial short" shot with Andy Samberg, regarding a certain "packaged package." Hosting the last episode of the season, with Lady Gaga (never the owner of a single civilian outfit) as the musical guest, he reprised most of his popular sketches (including "Bring It on Down to \_\_\_\_\_ville," the one where he out-gimmicks a rival business mascot, singing and dancing inside of a ridiculous, oversized omelet or beer bottle) and even made a part three of the the "D.I.A.B." R\&B saga, featuring Lady Gaga in a song called "3-Way (The Golden Rule)." Surprisingly, Justin Timberlake is as good at comedy as he is at bringing sexy back (which hasn't been brought back in several years). While not doubling up as host and musical guest this time around, he was able to channel his musical nature all over this episode in only the hammiest way he knows.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/justin-timberlake)Post comment 3. 30 [Zach Galifianakis [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Zach Galifianakis was such a hit on the show the first time around, almost every sketched imbued by his uproarious, scene-stealing touch (as like his role any otherwise subpar comedy), he was brought back the very next season, and seemed less than prepared. While magic is hard to reproduce (depite the Hangover franchise, which is already drafting up another cardboard box for a part three), he still makes for some of the best that's been offered comedically this season, just take his opening monologue in which he borrowed a few pieces from his stand-up act (the orphan Annie dress) or a sketch in which he plays a hardcore View fan disrupting an episode of the Talk.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/zach-galifianakis)Post comment 4. 40 [Elton John [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Being nothing but a topical show, Elton John's sexuality was the subject of virtually every sketch on this episode. That and his knighthood. But that doesn't change the fact that he accounted for a mostly hilarious episode, the likes of which haven't been seen since the early 2000's Will Ferrel/Chris Kattan-era, stepping up some of the shock factor that used to make this show so relevant (now it's just for the byproducts of big names). Such happened in a sketch in which Elton and a flamboyant cast member played bickering partners/talk show hosts on the LOGO network who continually fight then make up with a passionate make-out session (amusing when the cast member is assumedly straight and really eating up the part). Those are the kind of sketches you want to see more of, regardless of your sexual preference, in how it catches you off guard. Better that than mediocre sketch repetition/exploitation.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/elton-john)Post comment 5. 50 [Dana Carvey [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Dana Carvey hosting SNL demands a best-of roll call of past sketches from early-to-mid 90's glory days, which is exactly what happened. Nostalgia ran amok as Church Lady got a revamp (with the help of "Snooky" and Justin Bieber) and Regis was reanimated, but his sense of comedy was a huge clash when paired alongside the likes of the current cast, two vastly different senses of humor. To be honest, it was nicer to see a familiar fire rekindled, even if it did burn out just as quickly, nothing really going ablaze.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/dana-carvey)Post comment 6. 60 [Jim Carrey/The Black Keys [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Little known fact, Jim Carrey tried out for SNL but failed to make the cut. Given his career, he obviously didn't suffer from the fact. In fact, he's hosted several times, back in his Ace Ventura, talking sphincter hey-day, to the latest season, in which he further demonstated the elasticity of his facial ligaments. While he may opt for the uncharacterisic hyper-serious film role, it's always fun to see him go as full-blown over the top as he can. And he did (despite age-supplied effort): his Black Swan parody is classic him. The episode was extra enjoyable as it also mixed up the musical guest spot tendency to feature hyper-flashy, non-contentious pop singers by throwing in some indy blues-rock (a la the Black Keys). Good show, rather!… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/jim-carrey-the-black-keys)Post comment 7. 70 [Russell Brand [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y In spite of a Rihanna-beating, chair throwing musical guest, this lovable Brit livened up the show with his charm and let-it-all-hang-out comic stylings. It was amusing to see him bust out a southern accent as a beer-clutching redneck caricature for the much belabored "not-excited-to-win-a-million-dollar-grand-prize-but-instead-something-incredibly-mundane" sketch, but the comedy was mostly in the way of all things raunchy, which may or may not be what makes Russell Brand so likable (he's actually funniest when he's going off on a surprisingly brilliant comic rant on a talk show or stand-up special, less than what he does in his movies).… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/russell-brand)Post comment 8. 80 [Jesse Eisenberg [![cf61061f](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=cf61061f-4d9e-4d53-a839-7886a074cddc&size=16)cf61061f](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/cf61061f)15y Fresh in the spotlight for his role as Mark Zuckerberg in the Oscar-winning (though not for best picture!) Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg was given a chance to displace his frequently type-casted self (nerdy, somewhat-introverted) and wear all sorts of different hats as the host of SNL (notably more comedic ones). And this was actually one of the funniest episodes of the season, which may or may not be entirely a credit to well-written sketches (they are usually hit-and-miss, often mediocre and more idiosyncratic than hilarious). It was a great pairing to put him beside the actual person on whom his character was based, the founder of Facebook, to see the two duel it out. It should be pointed out that by juxtaposition, Eisenberg looks 1000X more socially-adjusted then his billionaire doppelganger.… More](/list/top-ten-snl-hosts-and-musical-guests-of-2011/jesse-eisenberg)Post comment 9. 90 [Helen Mirren/Foo Fighters [![af57179c](https://api.dicebear.com/9.x/identicon/svg?seed=af57179c-d2fc-5fa0-8455-d3c73bd85427&size=16)af57179c](https://toptenfast.lovable.app/af57179c)2y While it's amusing (and kinda disgusting) to see an entire episode devoted to the comedy in Helen Mirren's old lady sex appeal, it's way more amusing to see an elite, Oscar-winning actress continue to exhibit class and never take herself too seriously for the business she's in. Foo Fighters, appearing as musical guests, even got in on the action, Dave Grohl always the affable rocker, and mixed performances of material from their latest album with a strong dose of being anything but self-serious in the public eye (as is their tendency).\