One of the most iconic stages in New York came alive on Sunday night as ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) celebrated its 50th anniversary. The milestone event brought together past and present stars, former hosts, and special guests, making it an unforgettable night of comedy, nostalgia, and celebration.
‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ was a blend of reflection, reunion, and entertainment, capping off a weekend of festivities that began on Friday with a live concert. Here are the standout moments from the special night.
Classic Characters Make a Comeback
No ‘SNL’ special would be complete without the return of its most beloved characters. Fans were thrilled to see legendary performances from:
Kristen Wiig as Dooneese
Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet
Molly Shannon as Sally O’Malley
Pete Davidson as Chad
Rachel Dratch as Debbie Downer
Cecily Strong as The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party
Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle
These characters brought back nostalgic laughter, with Debbie Downer humorously reminding everyone of life’s grim realities while pouring drinks.
A Talk-Show Crossover Like No Other
A major highlight of the night was an unforgettable ‘SNL’ talk-show crossover. Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph’s ‘Bronx Beat’ collided with Mike Myers’ classic character Linda Richman from ‘Coffee Talk.’ The moment was a perfect example of the special’s once-in-a-lifetime pairings, bringing together some of the show’s funniest hosts.
Meryl Streep’s Unexpected ‘SNL’ Debut
For the first time in her illustrious career, Meryl Streep appeared on ‘SNL.’ She joined Kate McKinnon in a reprise of the popular alien abduction sketch featuring Colleen Rafferty.
Streep played Colleen’s equally outrageous mother, delivering hilarious lines alongside Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson, Aidy Bryant, and Jon Hamm. One of her standout moments was when she suggestively told Pascal, “A good mother can also be a bad girl.”
Adam Sandler’s Heartfelt Musical Tribute
Music has always played a crucial role in ‘SNL,’ and Adam Sandler delivered one of the most touching performances of the night. Though not a scheduled performer, Sandler took to the stage with his guitar to pay tribute to the long-standing crew members and reflect on the show’s incredible history. His song balanced humour with emotion, making it one of the night’s most memorable moments.
‘SNL’ Reflects on Its Own Controversies
The special also acknowledged that not all of ‘SNL’s’ past content has aged well. A pre-recorded segment, introduced by Tom Hanks, revisited sketches and characters that would be considered offensive by today’s standards.
Hanks jokingly pointed out, “While some of these characters, accents, and ‘ethnic wigs’ were unquestionably in poor taste, you all laughed at them.” He then playfully suggested, “So if anyone should be cancelled, shouldn’t it be you, the audience?”
Honouring ‘SNL’ Legends
No anniversary special would be complete without paying tribute to the late comedy legends who made ‘SNL’ what it is today. The night featured heartfelt montages of John Belushi, Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman, and many more.
Meanwhile, the show also celebrated its living legends. Steve Martin, who has hosted ‘SNL’ an impressive 16 times, delivered a classic monologue filled with his signature wit. At 79, he joked, “I feel like I’m 65, which is also not good.”
He then humorously added, “When I heard ‘SNL’ was having a 50th anniversary special, I wanted to leap with joy—but I didn’t because I was wearing a short skirt with no underpants.”
Martin was later joined by Martin Short and John Mulaney. Mulaney joked, “It amazes me that 894 people have hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ in the course of 50 years, and only two of them have committed murder.”
A Night to Remember
Seeing Amy Poehler, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Mike Myers, Molly Shannon, Cecily Strong, and more back on the iconic Studio 8H stage was nothing short of special.
As ‘SNL’ enters its next chapter, this 50th-anniversary celebration served as a reminder of the show’s incredible legacy, its cultural impact, and its enduring ability to bring laughter to millions.
Here’s to the next 50 years of Saturday Night Live!