The legendary US comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL), recently marked its 50th anniversary with a vibrant three-hour special aired live from Studio 8H at New York City’s Rockefeller Centre. Premiering in October 1975, SNL has been instrumental in launching the careers of many comedy legends like Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray. The anniversary show included a mix of former and current performers, creating a nostalgic yet fresh celebration of the beloved series.
The program commenced with a special duet of "Homeward Bound" performed by Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon, who originally sung the track with The Beatles' George Harrison on the show in 1976. Carpenter humorously noted that she and her parents weren’t even born during Simon's initial appearance.
Another highlight featured a surprise reunion of Nirvana, with Post Malone joining surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear to deliver a rendition of the iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The performance was introduced by actor Adam Sandler, who reminisced about the band's past SNL performances.
SNL's trademark humor extended to current celebrity gossip, with Ryan Reynolds playfully referencing a legal dispute involving co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni during a Q&A session moderated by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Reynolds quipped that he was doing “great,” humorously probing audience members about their concerns.
Actress Aubrey Plaza made a poignant appearance in memory of her late husband, Jeff Baena, introducing a heartfelt performance of "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard while wearing a tie-dye shirt reminiscent of a special memory from their wedding.
Among the cherished moments was an unrecognizable Meryl Streep making her SNL debut in a sketch, humorously echoing her iconic role in "The Devil Wears Prada." Original SNL cast member Garrett Morris also returned, eliciting nostalgic cheers from the audience and joking about the show's many reunions over the decades.
The anniversary show saw the return of Domingo, a fan-favorite character, alongside Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal in a humorous ensemble. Kim Kardashian made another noteworthy appearance, updating a musical sketch that had previously made headlines for its associations with her personal life.
In a reflective moment, Adam Sandler showcased the rich history of SNL through a musical tribute to its legendary cast members, honoring departed veterans like Chris Farley and Gilda Radner. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks added a comedic twist to the evening with a spoof "In Memoriam" segment, humorously calling attention to viewer complicity in the aging of certain sketches.
The 50th anniversary of SNL successfully captured the show’s enduring impact over the years, leaving audiences with laughter and fond memories as they celebrated the legacy of one of television’s most cherished programs.
