One Direction Joins Paul Rudd and His Anchorman 2 Costars on SNL, Debut "Through the Dark"

British-Irish boy band also performed their hit "Story of My Life"

By Jordana Ossad Dec 08, 2013 5:30 PMTags
One Direction, Anchorman, Paul Rudd, SNLNBC

Just call them Nine Direction.

One Direction and the cast of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues kicked off Saturday Night Live with a fun-spirited battle for the ages.

The always entertaining host for the evening, Paul Rudd, reflected during his opening monologue about his past two stints on the sketch comedy program. Specifically, the musical guests, Beyoncé and Paul McCartney, overshadowing him.

Enter Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson. And a thunderous applause that stole the attention away from the funnyman.

But Rudd came prepared.

"You've got your boy band, well I've brought my man band," Rudd said as his Anchorman 2 costars Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and David Koechner walked on stage.

Funny exchanges ensued, including Ferrell quipping "why don't you beat it Menudo."

Even though Ferrell declared he was there to fight, the rivalry didn't last for long and the whole gang sang a wonderful version of "Afternoon Delight."

"We are Nine Direction," Rudd proudly announced after the song.

We want more Nine Direction, please!

The five dashing gents also appeared in a skit centered around Rudd, also known as One Direction's #1 fan Dan Charles. A grown man camping out with a bunch of girls while waiting for the band to emerge, he can't help but boast about how much he knows about the guys.

"Do I love One Direction? I don't know," Rudd joked. "Is Liam's favorite color purple?"

Rudd sang with the giddy gals to "Best Song Ever" and as soon as the guys appeared, he made his way to the front by pushing everyone out of the way.

"Oh you're a great dad, what's her name?" Liam asked Rudd as he presented the boybander with a photo to sign.

"Her name is Dan Charles," Rudd responded sheepishly.

"That's a really pretty name," Harry said with a perfect straight face.

Cue "What Makes You Beautiful" and Rudd looking like he is on cloud nine.

Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen returned to their roots and particpated in a hysterical Sound of Music Live! spoof.

Wiig was one of the many von Trapp children, portraying Dooneese (or is it Judice?) with her trademark big forehead and little hands. Of course, she added her own inappropriate behavior to the light hearted tunes, much to the dismay of Captain von Trapp (Taran Killam) and Maria von Trapp (Kate McKinnon).

The quintet took the stage twice, performing their smash hit "Story of My Life" and debuting "Through the Dark."

What did you think of the show? Sound off in the comments!

(E! and Saturday Night Live are part of the NBCUniversal family.)