In what has been a largely uneven Saturday Night Live season (shakily written sketches, over-reliance on cameo appearances and a significant rookie contingent that has struggled to find its place and gel with more established players — to name a few problems), Melissa McCarthy ‘s sixth time hosting stint on the venerated late-night show was a clear highlight of Season 51.

The standup-turned-actress took command over Studio 8H with a trove of kooky characters that elevated basic premises to comedic gold — a bread-and-butter SNL recipe the Lorne Michaels-helmed heavyweight would do well to return to. As if the two-time Oscar-nominated performer needed to prove herself to anyone, her outing backed up why she ranks among one of the most featured hosts in the series’ history .

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