Saturday Night Live: Tiffany Haddish Shines Brightest When Playing Herself

There’s no doubt that comedian Tiffany Haddish left an enormous impression on Hollywood this summer. Her journey from low-profile sitcom star to potential Oscar contender in a matter of months is thanks to not only her breakout performance in Girls Trip, but her winning, sharp demeanor in interviews and appearances. If you haven’t yet, treat yourself to her conversation with Jimmy Kimmel about taking Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith on a swamp tour. And when S.N.L. stepped back this week and let first-time host Haddish be Haddish, she delivered a delightful show.

Like many stand-up-comedians-turned-hosts before her such as Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, and (yep) Louis C.K., Haddish was given a little extra time on her opening monologue slot and allowed to treat her intro to the audience as a stand-up routine. Though she rushed a bit in the beginning, possibly due to nerves, Haddish found her stride by the time she started talking about her Alexander McQueen gown which, yes, she did also wear on the red carpet for the Girls Trip premiere.In the best surprise bit of the night, Haddish later delivered on her opening monologue promise that she would wear the McQueen dress again during the S.N.L.episode. Alongside new cast member Chris Redd, Haddish interrupted “Weekend Update” wearing the dress and paying homage to 1988’s Coming to America.Haddish’s best sketch of the night was an early one called “Tournament Fighter” where her player (who just happens to have the same signature dance move as the comedian herself) Boo Boo Jeffries squared off in a martial arts battle. She didn’t win—but it really didn’t matter.