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SNL Cut for Time: Ariana Grande Plays Space Captain Judy Garland

What’s a captain to do when they’ve accidentally flown into alien space and the whole ship faces being destroyed (and destroyed means forever)? Easy, you hit them with a little 1-2-3 “Choo Cha Booch” and sing your troubles away.

At least that’s what they did in the forgotten 1961 B-movie about space starring Judy Garland (as Captain Judy Garland), Up We Go In Our Fantastic Rocket. Written by the Hollywood legend herself (over just two days, that happened to be eight months apart) to revitalize her career, the fifteen minute long movie is full of musical numbers, over-the-top deliveries, and plenty of asked for compliments from Garland.

This sketch, where host Ariana Grande got to show off her great Judy Garland impression, was actually cut from Saturday Night Live last week. While this unfortunately didn’t make it to air, Grande did get to perform some musical impressions in a sketch where she saved Tidal by singing as other female artists, including Rihanna, Shakira, and Celine Dion.

Grande ended up being a great host, but it’s too bad this sketch wasn’t included, because man she really did nail late career, vain, insecure Judy Garland. Just watch this performance of Garland and Bobby Darin from her 1963-64 show if you don’t believe me.

You know, Kevin Spacey really does kind of look like Bobby Darin.

Besides Grande’s spot on impression, pay attention to Jon Rudnitsky‘s dancing in the background, Jay Pharaoh‘s absurd alien voice, and make sure to stick around to the end to see Taran Killam‘s bizarre closing monologue.

Including the Tidal sketch, which impression was your favorite from Ariana Grande? In 1-2-3 hit it in our comments below.

Image: NBC

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