Scarlett Johansson hosts with musical guest Bad Bunny

We are at the goal line for SNL in Review, the coverage of the 50th season — and, Coneheads, it’s been a whirlwind. What an ambitious, messy, appropriately scattershot season, one giant ode to itself that welcomed the return of the Lonely Island and extended residencies from legendary cast members Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, and Mike Myers.

And now, it all comes to a close. What will the future yield? Scarlett Johansson hosts tonight’s season finale. It’s her seventh stint as host, a record for a female member of the Five-Timers Club. She’s also made cameos in recent years, including twice this season alone. Even casual fans are speculating on the significance of Johansson hosting the final episode of this momentous year. Is Colin Jost leaving? Who else?

Either way, summer break is upon us. Former cast member Nora Dunn noted to me during her first few seasons she had projects like Working Girl lined up outside the show but “after the third year I just wanted to be off the summer — I can just be off. I don’t have to work; I could just go up to Wisconsin with my boyfriend and enjoy my life.”

Whether it is Jost or another cast member eyeing the exits, Dunn advises: “Embrace it because it’s going to last your lifetime that you were on Saturday Night Live — use it to your advantage because it’s even though, in my mind, I think ‘so many people have been on Saturday Night Live,’ not really — it’s an exclusive club you were on it. Just own it. When I left the show, it took me a year to air out and move on. Even though I complain about so many people still, especially now, because of the 50th, it’s still such a big part of what people want to talk about with me. They associate me with it. You have to accept that.”

Words of wisdom! OK, Conehead nation, buckle up and let’s see how the show lands the season 50 plane.

Cold Open

Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) is vibing in the Middle East! While Emil Wakim is standing next to Johnson, this cold open follows the recent pattern of letting JAJ’s Trump hold court and monologue. He comments on American planes (“Newark!”). He’s cooking, and he’s having a great time.

Suddenly, things change. Johnson breaks the fourth wall and sits in the audience. Hilarious. He remarks on SNL season 50 ending, and folks having to wait until the fall for the fake, fun version of Trump. Until then, we are stuck with the bleak, real one in the White House. This was a confident, almost brilliant way to do the last cold open of the season. I have slowly warmed to the pureness and simplicity of letting JAJ cook (as they say) in these. No need for extraneous cameos.

Monologue

Johansson is thrilled to be hosting this historic season finale. She breaks into a SNL-themed parody of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Cast members join her. Chloe Fineman likes singing monologues. Heidi Gardner says she prefers Q&A ones! Most of the cast, sans Weekend Update anchors, join her on stage and joke about (a distressed) Sarah Sherman being fired. “We got to spend it with you!” the song concludes. Cute! What awaits us?