When Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake teamed up with the Roots to perform “The History of Rap” last September, it was a blast — a fun and funny walk through some of rap’s most influential songs. Then they did a second volume this summer, and it was noticeably watered down. Four months have gone by since then, and now we’ve got a third edition (video below).

The performance is fine — it’s good, really — but it feels predictable. “Oh, here’s the part where they finish the medley in the audience.” And while I enjoyed Timberlake razzing Fallon about not having to use his AK, I was equally embarrassed to see them include a slice of “Jump Around,” the whitest rap hit of all time. C’mon guys, leave that one to the DJs working high school dances and boring people’s weddings.

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Last fall, when Justin Timberlake was promoting The Social Network, he and Jimmy Fallon performed a rousing history of rap medley that touched upon a lot of hip-hop’s most important and influential songs (backed by the Roots, of course). So now that Timberlake is making the late-night rounds again to plug Friends With Benefits, he and Fallon performed a follow-up (video below).

This version is… not as good. Fallon and Timberlake goofily give it their all — the dance to Salt N’ Pepa’s “Push It” is a nice touch — but this medley feels like a collection of all the songs that weren’t good enough to include in the first performance. This isn’t so much “A History of Rap Part 2″ as it is “A History of Club Hits.” Seriously, the only time Nelly should be included in A History of Rap is the chapter on crappy rappers. You’ll see him pictured next to Ja Rule and Drake.

Anyway, enjoy this now — the online music rights will expire in the next couple days.

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Justin Timberlake hosted the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, and I thought it was the best episode of the year even though I woke up at 6:15 a.m. Pacific time this morning to groggily watch it on Hulu. In fact, I’m still mostly asleep, so let’s just get right to the slideshow and review the best skits.

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Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday) – I wish I could hate Justin Timberlake more. I can’t do it. As Matt touched on, expectations run higher for episodes he hosts, so hopefully it’ll be a good one. And if the latest promos with Lady Gaga are any indication (after the jump), she’s a pretty good sport about things, too. A weird, weird sport who occasionally wears penis shoes.

The Simpsons/Family Guy (Fox, Sunday) – Season finales. Last summer, one of the local FOX affiliates I get started playing two episodes a day of “The Simpsons” in chronological order starting at Season 1. This was not unpleasant at all.

Celebrity Apprentice (NBC, Sunday) – I’m really starting to wonder if Donald Trump heard about that one time I called Kid Rock “the biggest sh*thead in the history of sh*t or heads” and decided to go out and prove me wrong.

The Preakness Stakes (NBC, Saturday) – Notable for two reasons, both involving me wanting to puke: 1) I used to go to The Preakness every year in college, drink until I died, then do a litany of things I immediately regretted. 2) It’s five years since Barbaro broke his leg at the race, so expect A TON of stories featuring somber reporters, tears, and tinkling pianos.

Billboard Music Awards (ABC, Sunday) – Hosted by Ken Jeong, and featuring millions of musicians (sic). I can’t even fathom how old this show will make me feel.

Hogs Gone Wild (Discovery, Sunday) – So help me God, this is TV Guide’s description of this show: “An exotic game ranch in Texas, a Florida widow’s backyard, and a Hawaiian locale have hog issues.” HOG ISSUES!

Game of Thrones/The Killing/The Borgias/Doctor Who/Whatever Else Your Little Heart Desires (Check Your Local Listings) – There are lots of other great shows that I’m out of jokes about. Some of them feature horses being brutally slaughtered. Hey, would you look at that? Two Barbaro mentions.

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Justin Timberlake will host this weekend’s season finale of “Saturday Night Live” with musical guest Lady Gaga, an episode that I’m genuinely looking forward to. And since I only get to say that once or twice a year about “SNL” (the other occasions being when Jon Hamm or Alec Baldwin host), I’ve embedded the Timberlake/Andy Samberg promos below. Even when Timberlake is mired in a totally moronic premise, he still goes all in and gets the maximum comedic value from a bit. That stupid handsome talented son of a bitch. I hate him.

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