Saturday Night Live Celebrates 50 Years with Star-Studded Special
Saturday Night Live (SNL) marked its 50th anniversary with a night of comedy, music, and special appearances. The celebration featured legendary cast members, star hosts, and musical guests.
A Night of Iconic Moments
The special opened with Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter performing Homeward Bound. Steve Martin, one of SNL’s most frequent hosts, delivered the monologue, joined by Martin Short and John Mulaney.
The night included cameos from Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, and Keith Richards. Lil Wayne and Miley Cyrus also performed, adding to the show’s musical legacy.
Honoring Comedy Legends
SNL has launched the careers of countless comedians. The special brought back Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, and Will Ferrell. Many former cast members and hosts returned to celebrate, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Tracy Morgan.
During Weekend Update, Colin Jost and Michael Che joked about SNL’s history and its celebrity hosts. Bill Murray made a surprise appearance, ranking the show’s anchors over the years.
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Cameos and Memorial Tributes
The special honored past SNL cast members who have died, including Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, Gilda Radner, Jan Hooks, and Phil Hartman. Adam Sandler performed a tribute song listing iconic comedians who shaped the show.
Photos via Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) • Instagram
A segment also reflected on sketches that have not aged well. Tom Hanks introduced a humorous “In Memoriam” for outdated characters, including John Belushi’s Samurai sketch and Dan Aykroyd’s infamous “Jane, you ignorant slut” line.
Classic Sketches Reimagined
Many of SNL’s most famous sketches made a return. Kenan Thompson hosted “Black Jeopardy”, featuring Murphy doing an impression of Tracy Morgan.
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Meryl Streep surprised fans by playing Miss Rafferty’s mother, bringing her own comedic twist to Kate McKinnon’s alien abduction character. Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph revived Bronx Beat, featuring Mike Myers as Linda Richman.
Photos via Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) • Instagram
A Grand Finale
The night concluded with Paul McCartney performing “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End.” The entire cast and special guests filled the stage, applauding Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, for his role in shaping SNL’s five decades of comedy.
Looking Ahead
SNL remains a cultural force, blending political satire, celebrity impressions, and musical performances. As it enters its next era, the show continues to evolve, proving its place in television history.
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/saturday-night-live-50th-anniversary-1.7460932
- https://www.nationalworld.com/culture/celebrity/ryan-reynolds-said-snl-blake-lively-this-is-us-lawsuit-justin-baldoni-4993373
- https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1283717-marcello-hernandez-recreates-viral-snl-sketch-with-sabrina-carpenter
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