Mick Jagger’s Best ‘SNL’ Moments
“He’s a nice bunch of guys,” Keith Richards once famously said of Mick Jagger. On Saturday Night Live‘s season finale, viewers got the chance to see the Mick Jagger that’s hardly ever in public view – wildly funny, self-deprecating and contagiously charming, the guy who can’t help but steal all the attention at one of Elton John’s or Kate Moss’ parties.
Jagger also seemed hungry as ever last night, determined to prove that he can both pull off a well-timed punchline and perform without his Rolling Stones bandmates. His comedic chops were on full display, from his flamboyant turn as closeted Hollywood actor Chaz Bragman to his all-in-good-fun Steven Tyler impersonation. And he postivitely killed his performances, blasting through “The Last Time” with Arcade Fire and “19th Nervous Breakdown” with the Foo Fighters – two songs that the Stones haven’t performed in years.
He also led a gracious, touching send-off for SNL leading lady Kristen Wiig, who bypassed an official public announcement that she’s leaving the show after seven years and did a last dance with her castmates instead, bringing herself (and probably a few fans) to tears in the process. Does this mean Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg are sticking around for another year? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Watch Jagger’s finest moments on the show below:
“Secret Word”
In which Wiig revives her role as Broadway has-been Mindy Elise Grayson on this forever-doomed game show, and Jagger plays veteran gay actor Chaz Bragman, best known for his roles in hilariously titled hyper-macho blockbusters like The Longest Gun and Bullets Mean Death. “Where should I park my little tushie?” Jagger asks upon strutting onto the set – words we never thought we’d hear come out of his mouth.
“19th Nervous Breakdown”
Jagger stomps, fist-pumps and hip-swivels through this rarely-performed Stones classic with support from Dave Grohl and company. It was raw and rollicking, and we couldn’t help but wince imagining Keith watch it at home.
“Karaoke”
Playing a lonely, stage-fright-addled life insurance salesman, Jagger croons the opening lines of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” right into the camera after chickening out of a “Mick Jagger” impersonation in a karaoke face-off with his colleagues.
“The Last Time”
Arcade Fire back Jagger on another Stones classic, and Win Butler hasn’t looked this happy since he won that Album of the Year Grammy.
“So You Think You Can Dance at an Outdoor Music Festival”
Jagger does his best Steven Tyler impersonation during auditions for this hot new reality comeptition. “I have three things to say about it,” he says of one hopeful. “Ow! Wow! And, Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya!”
“The Californians”
It’s a shame Kristen Wiig is exiting the show while this sketch is still in its infancy. The premise, a soap opera centered around some incestuous West Coasters, is rife with hilarity. In this installment, Jagger (along with surprise guest Steve Martin) puts on a decent enough SoCal accent as the creepy operator of the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel.
“Tea Party”
Jagger’s third performance of the night was this blues number backed by Jeff Beck, inspired by the U.S. presidential election and featuring what might be the most literal lyrics since Neil Young’s “Let’s Impeach the President.”
“She’s a Rainbow”
Jagger gets a little more help from Arcade Fire as the SNL cast bids farewell to one of its all-time funniest players, Kristen Wiig.