In case you didn’t notice during the Saturday Night Live commercial break, recording artist and former Degrassi star Drake has been tapped to host and perform on Saturday Night Live .
Drake will kick off SNL’s return in hopes to keep up the powerful momentum the show has made this year with its six new and improved additions to the cast. Drake is set to pull both hosting and performing duties on the opener that will take place on January 18, 2014. We can’t think of a better act to ring in the new year on SNL , especially since Drake is having a very successful year with his latest album, and seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
Acting as both host and musical guest, Drake joins a coveted list of performers who have pulled double duty. That list includes Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Jennifer Lopez.
There’s no doubt that Drake will be able to memorize lines, but can he be funny? Given his maudlin lyrics that he’s known for, it’s hard to picture Drake being funny, or smiling, or showing any emotion aside from frowning, but who knows? As it stands, SNL has a habit of surprising people and making the best or absolute worst out of their hosts. Basically, if Drake can pitch a few sketches, or at least pitch his strengths, than perhaps he’ll turn a few heads on SNL.
Originally a native of Toronto, born Aubrey Drake Graham, the musician launched his singing career in 2006 after a successful run playing Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian show Degrassi: The Next Generation .
When Drake hits the stage on January 18, it won’t be the first time as the singer has appeared on SNL back in 2011. Back then, he was a musical guest while Anna Faris hosted, but he was featured in a Weekend Update segment. During the segment, Drake played a teenager dressed up as a werewolf in order to “fill in” for Seth Meyers on the Halloween trend Bag Jackin’. If Drake was game for dressing up as a werewolf, his episode might be something to look forward to.
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