{"id":1209041,"date":"2025-02-17T06:58:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T06:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/?p=1209041"},"modified":"2025-02-17T06:58:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T06:58:10","slug":"best-moments-from-saturday-night-lives-50th-anniversary-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/best-moments-from-saturday-night-lives-50th-anniversary-special\/","title":{"rendered":"Best moments from Saturday Night Live\u2019s 50th anniversary special"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEntertainment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
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SNL 50 recap: The special had everything you would expect from a “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary celebration, including dozens of guests, classic characters, and powerful musical performances.<\/h2>\n
\n\tSNL 50 recap: Rachel Dratch as Debbie Downer in the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special. NBC<\/em>\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Kevin Slane<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 17, 2025 | 1:19 AM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

9 minutes to read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n

Everything went pretty much how you would expect on \u201cSNL 50,\u201d the \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d 50th anniversary special. <\/p>\n

There were dozens of guest stars, cast members new and old, and the show ran ludicrously long, tacking on an extra 27 minutes beyond its allotted three-hour time slot. The only thing out of the ordinary about \u201cSNL 50\u201d was that it aired on a Sunday.<\/p>\n

If there was a throughline to the special, it was the strong commitment from \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d showrunner Lorne Michaels to bridging the gap between the original 1975 cast and the current 2025 group. <\/p>\n

The generation-spanning nature of the show was front and center in the \u201cSNL 50\u201d cold open, a musical performance by Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter.<\/p>\n

Introducing their duet on \u201cHomeward Bound,\u201d Simon mentioned that he performed the song with George Harrison on \u201cSNL\u201d back in 1976.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not born then,\u201d Carpenter said. \u201cAnd neither were my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

If \u201cSNL 50\u201d reinforced anything, it was that the more things change elsewhere, the more things stay the same at \u201cSaturday Night Live.\u201d There was a digital short by Andy Samberg and a short film starring John Belushi. Oblivious himbo Chad (Pete Davidson) politely wandered the studio with Laraine Newman. Miley Cyrus sang a Prince song, and Paul McCartney sang a medley of his own.<\/p>\n

For those of you who read my recent exploration into the history of Boston on \u201cSaturday Night Live,\u201d<\/a> you\u2019ll be pleased to hear that both Burlington native Amy Poehler and Lexington native Rachel Dratch played prominent roles in the episode, as did New Hampshire\u2019s own Adam Sandler and Seth Meyers.<\/p>\n

Dorchester native Ayo Edebiri popped up in a sketch too, and even Casey Affleck\u2019s Dunkin\u2019 Donuts commercial<\/a> made a brief appearance.<\/p>\n

Below you\u2019ll find a recap of the best moments from \u201cSNL 50,\u201d the \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d 50th anniversary special, a full list of all the cast members and celebrity guests who participated, and my instant reactions to each sketch as I watched along live.<\/p>\n

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Paul Simon, Sabrina Carpenter \u2013 \u2018Homeward Bound\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Sabrina Carpenter, Paul Simon<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> In what became a recurring theme of the night, \u201cSNL\u201d bridged the gap between the younger generations and those who grew up on \u201cSNL,\u201d pairing current pop star Sabrina Carpenter with Paul Simon on \u201cHomeward Bound,\u201d a song Simon sang with George Harrison on \u201cSNL\u201d in 1976.<\/p>\n

Steve Martin\u2019s Opening Monologue<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Steve Martin, Martin Short, John Mulaney<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Steve Martin was the perfect choice to serve as the unofficial host of \u201cSNL 50,\u201d and did a bang-up job with the opening monologue, which \u2014 as Martin sarcastically put it \u2014 is often the worst part of the show.<\/p>\n

\u2018Lawrence Welk Show\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johannsson, Ana Gasteyer, Fred Armisen<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> I have to admit, Kristen Wiig\u2019s Dooneese was never my favorite recurring sketch. Will Ferrell\u2019s Robert Goulet at least fit the premise stylistically, and the trio of Kim Kardashian, Ana Gasteyer, and Scarlett Johansson were fine as the better-looking sisters.<\/p>\n

\u2018Black Jeopardy\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Kenan Thompson, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Tom Hanks<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Eddie Murphy as Tracy Morgan was a particular highlight in this sketch, which calls back to the 2016 one also featuring Tom Hanks. Can we take a moment to appreciate that Kenan Thompson has been a steady force on \u201cSNL\u201d for two decades without losing a step?<\/p>\n

\u2018Physical Comedy\u2019 (Clip Show)<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Emma Stone, Molly Shannon<\/p>\n

Instant Reaction:<\/strong> Emma Stone and Molly Shannon (as Sally O\u2019Malley) introduced this montage of the history of physical comedy on \u201cSaturday Night Live,\u201d starting with a montage of Chevy Chase\u2019s many pratfalls. Shannon had plenty as well as Mary Katherine Gallagher, as did the late Chris Farley.<\/p>\n

Domingo<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Martin Short, Molly Shannon, Chloe Fineman, Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernandez, Sarah Sherman, Sabrina Carpenter, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim Pedro Pascal, Bad Bunny, Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, Bowen Yang, Andy Samberg<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t been watching \u201cSNL\u201d in the last year or so, you may not know that Domingo is Gen Z\u2019s favorite recurring character and a TikTok sensation. Sabrina Carpenter coming in to sing (intentionally badly) the parody of her own song was a nice touch.<\/p>\n

Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey<\/h2>\n
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Instant reaction: <\/strong>Like many old episodes of \u201cSNL,\u201d the show aired a quick thought from humorist Jack Handey: \u201cLooking back over 50 years, we treasure the laughs, the friendships, the fond memories. But the real treasure was how much money we were making.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audience Q&A<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Quinta Brunson, Tim Meadows, Ryan Reynolds, Nate Bergatze, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Adam Driver, Cher, Keith Richards, Jon Hamm, Bad Bunny, Seth Meyers, Ray Romano, Al Sharpton, Jason Momoa, Fred Armisen, Peyton Manning, Zach Galifianakis<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Just when I was beginning to fall out of love with this segment, Seth Meyers pulled me back into it by asking Fey and Poehler whether this \u201cwhole question and answer thing is just a way to give some airtime to celebrities who aren\u2019t in other parts of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t feel that way to me,\u201d Fey said. \u201cWhat do you think, Reverend Al Sharpton and Ray Romano?\u201d<\/p>\n

Digital Short: Anxiety<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Bowen Yang, Andy Samberg, Chris Parnell, Sarah Sherman, Molly Shannon, Ana Gasteyer<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Friday night\u2019s \u201cSNL in Concert\u201d had a medley of some of Samberg\u2019s most popular Digital Shorts, so I was a little worried the Lonely Island frontman wouldn\u2019t get a chance to shine in this special. Luckily, he and Bowen Yang cooked up a new song about how everyone on \u201cSNL\u201d is sick to their stomach at all times.<\/p>\n

Miley Cyrus, Brittany Howard, The Roots \u2013 \u2018Nothing Compares 2 U\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Instant reaction:<\/strong> Wow, that was interesting! After a brief intro from former NBC page Aubrey Plaza, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard covering \u201cNothing Compares 2 U.\u201d Could be seen as both a tribute to Prince and to Sinead O\u2019Connor, who famously covered the song and took a ton of heat for tearing up a picture of the Pope on \u201cSNL\u201d back in 1992. I never heard if Sinead and Lorne Michaels were on good terms after that incident, but regardless, this was a lovely performance.<\/p>\n

Weekend Update<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Colin Jost, Michael Che, Seth Meyers, Bill Murray, Vanessa Bayer, Fred Armisen, Cecily Strong, Bobby Moynihan<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> The single biggest laugh of the night for me was this one-liner from Michael Che about Norm MacDonald.<\/p>\n

\u201cNorm MacDonald, who hosted \u2018Weekend Update\u2019 until he was fired for making jokes about OJ Simpson. And he\u2019s obviously one of my heroes, so if you\u2019re watching up there, I just want to say, \u2018We love you OJ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Close Encounter<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Aidy Bryant, Jon Hamm, Kate McKinnon, Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Kate McKinnon continues to be an absolute master of knowing where the camera is and invading personal space. Didn\u2019t think Pedro and Woody added much, but Meryl\u2019s inclusion was worth it alone for the \u201cDevil Wears Prada\u201d joke.<\/p>\n

Chad in 8H<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Laraine Newman, Pete Davidson, Mikey Day<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Laraine Newman can still bring it! And Pete Davidson\u2019s Chad was the perfect recurring character to come back \u2014 the pre-taped bit was a nice relief from some of the over-long sketches that preceded it.<\/p>\n

Adam Sandler\u2019s Song<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Adam Sandler<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Sandler was playing catch-up with the music and cue cards for a bit, but he leaned into the sentimentality and brought it home at the end. And whoa, rare Jack Nicholson sighting!<\/p>\n

New York Musical<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> See below.<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> OK, so I believe that musical sketch chronicling NYC through the decades featured\u2026 *deep breath* John Mulaney, Pete Davidson, David Spade, Maya Rudolph, Adam Driver, Paul Shaffer, GE Smith, Nathan Lane, Chloe Fineman, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Lin Manuel Miranda, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, Alex Moffat Sarah Sherman, Devon Walker, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, James Austin Johnson, Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong, Nick Jonas, Ana Gasteyer, and Taran Killam \u2014 plus a couple of uncomfortable audience members that weren\u2019t really part of the sketch in Jenna Ortega, Kevin Costner, Larry David, and Jerry Seinfeld. Did I miss anyone?<\/p>\n

Commercial Parodies (Clip Show)<\/h2>\n
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Cast: <\/strong>Alec Baldwin, Sarah Sherman<\/p>\n

Another clip show, this time featuring 50 years of commercial parodies. Oops I Crapped my Pants, Little Chocolate Donuts, Colon Blow, the list goes on. Even Casey Affleck\u2019s Dunkin\u2019 Donuts commercial made the cut!<\/p>\n

Bronx Beat \/ Coffee Talk <\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Mike Myers, Miles Teller<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> A mashup of two recurring talk shows, unfortunately plagued by audio issues for about the first minute of the sketch. Watching a boom mic hastily move in and out of frame was a nice reminder that what we were watching was live.<\/p>\n

Lil Wayne Musical Performance<\/h2>\n
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Instant reaction:<\/strong> Following an intro from Dave Chappelle, Lil Wayne ran through a medley of some of his bigger hits, with The Roots as his backing band. Not bad, but other than Sandler, the worst of the musical performances.<\/p>\n

In Memoriam (Clip Show)<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Tom Hanks<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> A somber Tom Hanks sets us up to think we\u2019ll see a montage of dead cast members. Instea, he gives us a montage of \u201cSNL\u201d clips that could never air today, featuring ethnic stereotypes, sexual harassment, blackface, and appearances from Jared Fogle, Diddy, OJ Simpson, and Robert Blake. One of the highlights of the night.<\/p>\n

Debbie Downer <\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Rachel Dratch, Jimmy Fallon, Robert De Niro, Ayo Edebiri, Drew Barrymore<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> It wasn\u2019t the Boston Teens, but we got Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch in a sketch together \u2014 not to mention Dorchester native Ayo Edebiri in a small role. I especially enjoyed Dratch referring to how Fallon broke so profoundly in the Disney World edition<\/a> of the sketch.<\/p>\n

Scared Straight <\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Kenan Thompson, Eddie Murphy, Jason Sudeikis, Marcello Hernandez, Mikey Day, Michael Longfellow, Will Ferrell<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Another recurring sketch, this time elevated by the inclusion of Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell. (Gonna ignore the fact that 44-year-old Mikey Day is playing a teen.)<\/p>\n

\u201cLook Back in Anger\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Cast:<\/strong> Garrett Morris<\/p>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Original cast member Garrett Morris introduces a Tom Schiller short film that Morris says features all of the original cast. That\u2019s not really true; it\u2019s just John Belushi, visiting the graves of the rest of the Not Ready for Primetime Players. Given that Morris, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman were all in attendance, it only felt right to involve Belushi in some way.<\/p>\n

Paul McCartney Musical Performance<\/h2>\n

Instant reaction:<\/strong> Introduced by Martin Short, Sir Paul McCartney performed the medley that concludes \u201cAbbey Road\u201d \u2014 \u201cGolden Slumbers,\u201d \u201cCarry that Weight,\u201d and \u201cThe End.\u201d A fitting end to 50 years of remembrance. (Note: This performance was not available online at the time this article was published.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Overall Grade:<\/strong> B+.<\/strong> A lot of great material, especially for those of us who have been watching \u201cSNL\u201d for a long time. The clip shows and montages were a ton of fun, especially the faux in memoriam. A lot of sketches were overstuffed, but that\u2019s the nature of a retrospective like this. Overall, a pretty entertaining 3 1\/2 hours.<\/p>\n

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\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.boston.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 O artigo anterior foi obtido e traduzido do site internacional da celebrity.land \u2019 Source Link <\/em><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Entertainment SNL 50 recap: The special had everything you would expect from a “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary celebration, including dozens of guests, classic characters, and powerful musical performances. SNL 50 recap: Rachel Dratch as Debbie Downer in the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special. NBC By Kevin Slane February 17, 2025 | 1:19 AM […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1209042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1209041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entretenimento"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1209041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1209041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1209041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1209042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1209041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1209041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1209041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}