After an amazing ten and a half year run, Cecily Strong made her final appearance as a cast member during this Saturday night's episode of Saturday Night Live. Her send off, as is representative of her time on the iconic show, was wonderfully musical.
The episode of the iconic show was hosted by Austin Butler who recently received critical acclaim for taking on the role of Elvis Presley in a biopic about the star's life. This acting and musical sensation was the perfect host to ring out Strong's final episode after an absolutely iconic career on the show.
The musical send-off was framed within a "Radio Shack" sketch. In the sketch, Keenan Thompson starts off by saying that this is Cecily Strong's last day working for Radio Shack, using this analogy to talk about the incredible run the star had on the show Saturday Night Live. After some heartfelt words sprinkled with some light-hearted comedy, Thompson reveals that everyone at Radio Shack pooled their money together to get a special treat for Cecily's last day: casual Elvis.
Austin Butler and Cecily Strong then take the stage together to sing a rendition of "Blue Christmas" to reminisce about the incredible performances Strong has brought to the show. Butler kicks off the song and Strong joins in shortly after. Eventually, the rest of the cast who was present that night joined the stage for this beautiful rendition.
This song was the perfect way to send Cecily Strong out into the world after Saturday Night Live. She is one of the most musical cast members they have ever had on the show, featuring a series of sketches with iconic songs in them. Here are some of our favorite Cecily Strong musical sketches of all time (In no particular order!)
1. Annie
In this sketch version of Annie, Cecily Strong lilts beautifully as Miss Grace. The ever iconic Jason Sudeikis takes on the role of Ricky. Strong sings hilariously at the end of each iconic verse, "and we don't know what Ricky does." It is an absolutely hilarious take on a classic piece, and Strong is what makes it so memorable.
2. Subway Churro
In the latest installment of what can only be referred to as the "Diner Lobster" series, Cecily Strong takes on a new and hilarious character in the sketch "Subway Churro." Andrew Dismukes sees Strong emerge from the tracks and asks, "Is that a ghost?" John Mulaney quickly replies, "No, she was just fired from Sleep No More." Strong then bursts out in a hilarious parody of "Bali Ha'i" where she sings, "I am high on bath salts."
3. Christmas Sing Along
This had to make the list not only because Strong is, as always, phenomenal, but it is the right season for it. In this sketch, titled "Christmas Sing Along", Cecily Strong and Chris Hemsworth host a Christmas party. As they gather around the piano to sing carols together, Strong recommends they sing "Deborah's Time" a song which, naturally, no one knows.
4. Aladdin
This Aladdin parody is certainly one for the books (or at the very least this list!) Cecily Strong as Jasmine and Adam Driver as Aladdin take to the sky in song. As they fly through the sky, Strong is smacked in the face by an oncoming bird. As the two meet with a series of other misfortunes in the sky, hilarity ensues.
5. Singing Sisters
Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon, and Amy Adams play the Dundee Sisters in this "Singing Sisters" sketch. The three are a singing group at a 1940s club around the holidays. It is quickly discovered that they all have a love of garbage and only sing songs that last about ten seconds. It's the best kind of anarchy!
6. Cabaret Night
In this "Cabaret Night" sketch, Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon, Bowen Yang, and Jake Gyllenhaal are a singing group called The Singers Four. The sub-par singing group sings a song about how incredibly mediocre they are but how their lives are filled with small wins that get them through the day. The sketch is both a hilarious song and, quite frankly, comically motivating.
7. Sound of Music
In this The Sound of Music spoof, Cecily Strong takes on the role of Liesl and John Mulaney plays the role of Rolf. However, as the two take on the well-known song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" Liesl finds out that Rolf might be *a BIT* older than he originally may have presented himself to be. Also he keeps dropping some *QUITE CRYPTIC* things about the future of Austria during this time.
All In All...
Cecily Strong has graced Studio 8H with comedy and song for over ten years, and we are so sad to see her go. We are certain we will be seeing incredible things to come from her in the future. Congratulations Cecily Strong!
