“Saturday Night Live” bid a poignant, emotional farewell to its 37th season, sending off cast member Kristen Wiig with a sing-along led by the weekend’s host, Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger.
Wiig started crying during the final skit, a graduation ceremony featuring cast mates, old friends and SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
“Many of you are moving onto college, but I’d like to take a moment to say goodbye to one particular student who is leaving this summer … to become a nun,” Jagger said, calling Kristen to the stage.
Wiig ditched the cap and gown to reveal a beige dress. Backing band Arcade Fire began playing the Rolling Stones hit “She’s a Rainbow,” and Wiig danced with a cavalcade of cast mates, her expression a mix of smiles and tears.
Andy Samberg spun Wiig around … a funny, happy moment, but nearly a wardrobe disaster due to Wiig’s skirt.
Michaels appeared for Wiig’s final dance, then Mick led the group in “Ruby Tuesday.” Somewhere along the way, former SNL stars Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Chris Parnell and Chris Kattan emerged onstage with perennial guest Steve Martin and “Mad Men” actor Jon Hamm (who played Wiig’s jerky boytoy in her hit movie “Bridesmaids”).
Wiig blew kisses to the crowd, bowed and waved – an end to seven seasons of quirkiness and heart.
Sure, some of her characters made your skin crawl (Gilly’s classroom antics became a one-note comedy flat liner). But Wiig brought something special to the show, steering SNL through lean seasons and intertwining herself with the show’s tapestry.
SNL’s most powerful moments don’t always involve laugh-out-loud humor. John Belushi proved that by dancing on graves. Phil Hartman and Gilda Radner understood that, too. The show’s post-9/11 episode served as a tribute to tragedy.
At its best, “Saturday Night Live” makes you feel something, makes you say ‘wow’ every once and again. This weekend’s episode carried a few ‘wow’ moments because it allowed its host and outgoing star to shine.
Mick provided an early highlight by crooning a melancholy “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” after being ditched at the karaoke bar by his life insurance chums. The song feels so different when it’s stripped of brash and brass – a lovelorn, sadsack quality matched in the skit by Jagger’s undone tie and shattered ego.
Jagger showed off his comedy chops later in the show with a blues song about the presidential race.
“You’re going to have to raise about $100 million or you’ll end down deep in the s—,” he sang.
His other performances included “The Last Time” with Arcade Fire, and “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” with the Foo Fighters.
Mick’s strongest laughs came during a “So You Think You Can Dance at an Outdoor Music Festival” skit, with the Rolling Stones singer raiding the women’s clothing counter (and plugging Burger King) in his portrayal of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
The episode also featured a digital short, “Lazy Sunday 2.” No Magnolia cupcakes this time – the line at the bakery is too long. Instead, Parnell and Samberg sip mimosas and catch “Sister Act” on Broadway.
The show rallied with another installment of the addictive “Californians,” a travel-conscious mock soap opera that features wine, dusted off ‘Valley Girl’ accents and group mirror stare-offs.
And then it was onto the final skit, with Wiig graduating with honors.