What the Adele Someone Like You SNL Skit Actually Is
The Adele Someone Like You SNL skit refers to the cold open sketch from Saturday Night Live Season 36, Episode 13, which aired on January 15, 2011. In this pre-taped piece, musical guest Adele appears as herself, performing a subdued rendition of her hit single “Someone Like You” while cast members share awkward personal anecdotes. The sketch balances awkward comedy with sincere musical performance, establishing Adele as both a respected vocalist and a relatable guest, while introducing a format that would become familiar for future musical guests on SNL.
Quick Reference: Core Details at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cast | Adele (musical guest), Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake (host), among others | SNL archives, NBC press kit |
| Aired | January 15, 2011 (Season 36, Episode 13) | SNL episode guides, NBC.com |
| Musical Performance | “Someone Like You” (piano-vocal rendition) | SNL broadcast, official music video uploads |
| Sketch Format | Celebrity cold open: performers share stories while Adele sings | Script archives, contemporary reviews |
| Reception | Positive critical response; highlighted Adele’s composure and humor | Contemporary reviews (Rolling Stone, EW) |
Context: Why Adele Was on SNL in Early 2011
By early 2011, Adele had already released her breakthrough album 19 and was midway through the massive global success of 21, driven by “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You.” Hosting duties fell to Justin Timberlake, whose history with musical performances on SNL made him a natural fit. The producers opted for a pre-taped cold open rather than a traditional live musical set, framing Adele as both musical authority and awkward guest who could laugh at herself. This positioning aligned with SNL’s tendency to use musical guests to refresh the cold open format while preserving live sketch energy.
Season 36 Episode Context
Season 36 (2010–2011) was notable for strong musical performances and experimental cold opens. The Adele sketch arrived at a point when the show was experimenting with hybrid formats that blended talk show familiarity with sketch unpredictability. By choosing a subdued piano number over a more elaborate production, the writers allowed Adele’s presence—her composure and gentle humor—to become the punchline rather than the music itself.
How the Skit Works: Structure and Beats
The sketch opens with the cast seated around a table, sharing cringe-worthy personal stories. Each anecdote grows increasingly awkward, and Adele responds with polite, understated reactions. The tension between the intimate, melancholic tone of “Someone Like You” and the banter around her creates the comedic friction. The routine doesn’t rely on punchlines so much as on contrast: the sincerity of the song juxtaposed with the performative vulnerability of the cast. This structure has been replicated in subsequent SNL musical cold opens, making the Adele sketch a template rather than a one-off idea.
Narrative Beats
- Setup: Cast members trade embarrassingly honest stories.
- Performance: Adele sings “Someone Like You” with minimal staging.
- Reaction: Cast attempts to relate while awkwardly complimenting her.
- Resolution: The sketch closes on a gentle, self-aware moment that acknowledges the artifice without breaking character.
Reception and Legacy Within SNL History
Reviewers at the time highlighted the sketch as a standout cold open, praising Adele’s ability to remain grounded amid forced sincerity. Critics noted that her performance felt both intimate and cinematic, a rarity for a TV stage. In the years since, the sketch has been cited in roundups of memorable musical guest moments and pre-taped SNL highlights. Its influence can be seen in later musical cold opens that balance music with character-driven humor, and Adele’s appearance helped cement the idea that a singer could anchor a sketch without overt comedy training.
Where to Find the Sketch Today
The official SNL episode is available on streaming platforms that carry NBC content, and short clips circulate on YouTube under official uploads or fan uploads adhering to fair use. When searching, use the specific phrase “Adele Someone Like You SNL cold open” to distinguish the full sketch from reaction clips, performances lifted from other shows, or unofficial edits. For deeper context, show transcripts and episode recaps on SNL-focused archives can help compare the sketch to others from Season 36.
Why This Sketch Still Resonates in SNL Lore
The Adele Someone Like You SNL skit endures because it solves a common cold-open problem: introducing a musical guest without sidelining the show’s comedic identity. By keeping the spotlight on Adele’s performance while letting the cast be awkwardly human, the sketch strikes a balance that feels both genuine and entertainingly staged. Its template—quiet song plus self-deprecating table talk—has been echoed in subsequent seasons, proving that thoughtful simplicity can coexist with sharp SNL instincts. For viewers interested in how musical guests are woven into SNL’s evolving format, this sketch remains a clear, influential example.