'Saturday Night Live' Recap: Kristin Wiig’s Return

Kristin Wiig returned to Saturday Night Live this week as host, her first appearance since she left the show last year. In addition to appearing in some new gags, the SNL veteran reprised some of her most beloved characters on the live improv comedy show.

Although the cold open didn’t feature the returning castmember, it sure did get the audience's attention – although potentially not for the right reasons. The stage was set at the Benghazi hearings, and included guest witnesses Jodi Arias and Ariel Castro, the man who allegedly held three women captive for a period exceeding ten years. The Castro mention might have been a little bit too soon.

For her opening monologue, Wiig broke out into song. Set to the tune of the Pointer Sisters “I’m So Excited,” Wiig played up her enthusiasm at her return to the SNL stage.

One of the best segments of the night was in honor of Mother’s Day. Wiig starred in a commercial for 1-800-Flowers opposite Kate McKinnon, who played her nagging, over-sharing and harebrained mother.

Wiig also starred in a return of The Californians. It ran a little long, but their accents were hilarious and the actors' amusement at themselves made it even better.

A new role for Wiig was that of a mom who takes care of her kids as a ghost stuck in the inbetween. “Aww Nuts! Mom’s a Ghost,” was a Disney Channel parody where Wiig channeled both The Ring’s Samara and The Exorcist’s Reagan.

The Lawrence Welk Show returned Wiig’s character with the deformed hands. Thankfully, Wiig also got to reprise her role as the Target Lady. Funny as always, the skit began with her saying, “Take your cash jar and get the eff out of here. It’s 9 o’clock and I’m ready to rock!”

Vampire Weekend was the musical guest of the night. Performing two songs off their new album Modern Vampires of the City, they delivered on both “Diane Young” and “Unbelievers.”

Saturday Night Live returns next week for its finale with Ben Affleck as host and Kanye West as the musical guest.