Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon opened SNL's 40th bash with catchphrase extravaganza

Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon want to pump you up

(Image credit: NBC/SNL)

Lorne Michaels called on two of Saturday Night Live's more recent crop of crowd pleasers to open Sunday night's big 40th anniversary show, and Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake didn't disappoint. If you'd never seen SNL — or were totally unaware of the past 40 years of popular culture — their song-and-dance number won't make much sense. But if you are older than 12 years old, there's a good chance that this panoply of catchphrases and references — they really fit in an impressive amount — is for you. Watch and relive the magic of your favorite SNL period. (There is some mildly NSFW language, oddly.) —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.