Taking a page out of Zach Galifianakis’ playbook* with the piano and teasing a reunion with his One Direction brethren (minus Zayn Malik but plus Ringo Starr), the typical first-time hosting jitters were nowhere to be found. Instead, “SNL” showed off Styles’ dry yet somewhat absurd sense of humor early with the opening monologue. Yet despite the eventual piano, that’s thankfully not what the episode provided. The go-to “ SNL” monologue for a musical artist is, of course, a musical monologue. Naturally, comparisons can be made to Justin Timberlake and the recent host/musical guest Chance the Rapper, but much like in his career post-One Direction, Styles had to make his own way here. This week’s “ Saturday Night Live” saw musician (and noted comedy nerd) Harry Styles return to Studio 8H in the coveted dual host-musical guest role.
