NBCSNL gave a royal welcome to Queen Cookie herself on Saturday!
Taraji P. Henson, who plays fan favorite, sassy and highly quotable record label exec and scheming ex-wife of Terrence Howard's super shady Lucious Lyon on Empire, hosted the NBC sketch comedy series for the first time. She got to reprise her character, of course, while parodying a beloved kids' show, and also starred in a spoof of Game of Thrones, which returns for season 5 on Sunday.
In addition, Mumford & Sons performed their sons "The Wolf" and "I Believe."
Check out three highlights from the episode.
1. Monologue
Henson poked fun at herself, saying that hosting SNL "proves that after 20 years in show business, white people finally know who I am!"
Backed by a choir and members of the cast, she then showcased her singing skills, performing a song titled "I Made it."
2. Empire meets Sesame Street
If you ever thought some of Cookie's outfits look like a skinned muppet, you're not alone. This, in addition to the actress sharing the last name with late Sesame Street characters creator Jim Henson, is what perhaps helped inspire this sketch, which mashes up all three shows. And, of course, Cookie gets to meet Cookie Monster.
Warning: You may not be able to ever unsee Cookie flirting heavily with a bashful muppet favorite...right in front of his best friend.
3. Game of Thrones parody
Welcome to "South Centros," the eighth kingdom of Westeros. In this Boyz n the Hood-like parody, Kenan Thompson plays Ice Cube and a popular star from Game of Thrones makes a cameo. Spoiler alert: It doesn't look like they're going to get along at all.
Henson plays a part that was basically made for Cookie: Yep, a version of Lena Headey's Cersei Lannister. Once a queen, always a queen.
And another spoiler alert about the show: The skit references a horrific and epic event from season 3 that people are still talking about.
Taraji P. Henson Hosts SNL
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