Although it was a Sunday night time, the fiftieth anniversary particular of “Saturday Night time Dwell” hit the airwaves on NBC and Peacock on February 16, 2025, filled with hilarious stars from throughout each era of “SNL” and absolutely stuffed with cameos from a few of their most well-known and beloved hosts from through the years. 200 additional seats had been added to the historic Studio 8H in 30 Rockefeller Plaza with the intention to accommodate the occasion’s large crowd, and there was even an overflow room (and when you obtained caught in there as a substitute of the principle studio, chances are you’ll need to query your energy in Hollywood).
The consequence was fairly spectacular, from the laughs that includes your favourite solid members to the particular appearances by the likes of Adam Driver, Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Scarlett Johansson, Nathan Lane, Paul Rudd, Ayo Edebiri, Robert De Niro, and even a self-aware look by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Energetic amidst their “It Ends With Us” controversy. Although the general occasion wasn’t essentially as celebratory or self-congratulatory because the fortieth anniversary particular in 2015, that will have truly been an excellent factor. As an alternative, this felt extra like a blockbuster episode of “SNL” — one which pulled out all of the stops and introduced again some beloved sketch formulation, together with star-studded surprises and even some surprising crossovers.
After over two and a half hours of “SNL” packed into the night (three and a half with commercials), listed here are the six greatest moments from the “SNL 50” anniversary particular.
6. Bronx Beat returns with Miles Teller and Linda Richman as company
Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler had been each fairly distinguished all through the “SNL 50” anniversary particular, with Poehler getting a full Q&A phase alongside Tina Fey on the principle stage and Rudolph becoming a member of John Mulaney’s huge 50-year New York Metropolis musical (extra on that later), however the two additionally obtained to reunite for a revival of the speak present sketch “Bronx Beat.” As salt-of-the-earth New Yorkers Jodi and Betty, Rudolph and Poehler dusted off their huge metropolis accents and attitudes to host a brand new version of the recurring sketch, they usually had a pair huge particular company.
First, Miles Teller was known as in from the viewers to be interviewed on stage. Clearly, Jodi and Betty had been each very blissful to see how good-looking Teller was, however they obtained much more excited after they realized he was from “Prime Gun 2,” they usually refused to name it “Prime Gun: Maverick,” regardless of what number of occasions Teller tried to appropriate them. Recollecting how Teller obtained to tussle with Tom Cruise was virtually an excessive amount of for them to deal with, however Jody and Betty finally obtained over it and despatched Teller again to his seat within the viewers.
Nonetheless, one of the best a part of this returning bit was the assembly of two eras of “SNL,” when Mike Myers emerged as “Espresso Speak” host Linda Richman, donning her signature sparkly, purple sweater and curly black hair. “Espresso Speak” and “Bronx Beat” becoming a member of forces appears like such a no brainer, I can not consider that it wasn’t achieved earlier than. Sure, Myers finally ends up getting just a little verklempt, and having these three legends collectively like this could not have gone any higher.
5. Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell be a part of Kenan Thompson for Scared Straight
Two of the most important stars of “SNL” got here collectively in a sketch revival that yours actually was completely tickled to see. Kenan Thompson reprised his function as Lorenzo McIntosh, a reformed legal who speaks to youths in an effort to indicate them that a lifetime of crime is not the precise path to comply with … though McIntosh has a behavior of getting carried away with the threats of jail life and unrealistic popular culture references used as examples of his former legal actions. This time, nonetheless, McIntosh was joined by a pair extra doses of inspiration: Eddie Murphy as “All of the Manner” Ray Might and Will Ferrell as “Massive Purple.”
Murphy solely made a quick look in the course of the fortieth anniversary of “SNL,” as the previous solid member had a little bit of a grudge with the sketch present after some jokes had been made at his expense throughout a number of lows in his profession. However after that door was opened for reconciliation, Murphy lastly returned to host a hilarious Christmas episode in 2019. For the “SNL 50” particular, he had two huge roles: one as Tracy Morgan on “Black Jeopardy” and the opposite right here, the place he obtained to shout at present solid members Marcello Hernandez, Mikey Day, and Michael Longfellow. Evidently, it was good to have Murphy again.
In a enjoyable twist on the “Scared Straight” components, after some inappropriate “Harry Potter” double entendres, Murphy will get meta and alludes to “The Nutty Professor,” which the gang completely ate up. Then the sketch obtained kicked up a notch with Ferrell’s surprising look because the third convict, “Massive Purple,” whose nickname comes from being well-read. “Massive Purple” is sporting the spring uniform, and the mere sight of Ferrell in that jumpsuit with quick shorts is nearly sufficient to interrupt Thompson. Ferrell’s look additionally will get a bit meta, although in the end (hilariously) flubbed, as he makes reference to his beloved Christmas film “Elf.” It makes for some humorous breaking among the many solid members, and regardless of the missteps, it is nonetheless one of many funniest bits of the complete night time.
4. SNL 50 Digital Quick: Anxiousness
Whereas “Saturday Night time Dwell” would be the most coveted job in comedy, it is also one of the crucial annoying. Any solid member will let you know concerning the lengthy nights required to place a brand new episode collectively each week, and most of them will agree that Tuesday night time is essentially the most troublesome. That is the night time that each one the sketches are written, and just about everyone seems to be pulling an all-nighter, making an attempt to get down the funniest sketches on paper for that week’s host. The truth is, the rationale Invoice Hader did not return for the “SNL” anniversary particular is probably going due to the anxiousness engaged on the present gave him throughout his total tenure there. Certain, he has fond recollections and does not remorse it, however since he politely declined an invite to return, he possible nonetheless has a little bit of PTSD from his time on the collection.
Fortunately, The Lonely Island (contemporary off their unbelievable musical medley at “SNL 50: The Homecoming Live performance”) helped cushion the blow with just a little Nineteen Eighties-inspired music video that discovered Andy Samberg (and Akiva Shaffer and Jorma Taccone in very transient appearances) reassuring a nervous Bowen Yang that everybody who has ever labored on “SNL” felt crippling anxiousness after they had been on the present. That does not simply embody solid members like Will Forte, Taran Killam, James Austin Johnson, Kyle Mooney, and Beck Bennett, all of whom present up within the sketch. In the meantime, Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon have the best cameos, reprising their roles because the hosts of NPR’s Scrumptious Dish radio present, the place the well-known Schweddy Balls Christmas sketch originated. What makes this sketch actually particular, although, is the tribute to everybody behind the scenes, who additionally get an opportunity to step in entrance of the digicam.
If there was one second that I believed Hader may make a shock look, it was on this sketch, however the closest we cam was a literal graphic cameo by Hader as Stefon. However the complete bit was nonetheless unbelievable.
3. John Mulaney’s fiftieth anniversary New York musical will get large
If you have not been maintaining with “SNL” over the previous six years, then you definitely won’t have been conscious that each time comic and former “SNL” author John Mulaney hosts the sketch comedy collection, there was an enormous musical sketch honoring the weirdest and grimiest components of New York Metropolis. Whether or not it is lobster from a diner or a churro within the subway, Mulaney manages to dig into the center of the Massive Apple. So, since this was the fiftieth anniversary of “SNL,” Mulaney was capable of attain again into the New York of 1975 to kick off his newest musical sketch with some sizzling canine and heroin, full with Maya Rudolph as a needle stuffed with heroin and Adam Driver as a sizzling canine.
However that was only the start, as a result of this sketch spanned the complete 50-year historical past of New York since “SNL” debuted. We hit the Nineteen Eighties years stuffed with cocaine and a few vodka, with just a little assist from Nathan Lane and the tune of “Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King.” Equally, Jason Sudeikis appeared as Harvey Keitel’s pimp from “Taxi Driver,” with Kristen Wiig and Will Forte displaying up because the inexperienced M&M and a grungy Elmo, full with variations on songs from “Les Miserables.” Different stops included Kate McKinnon throwing away her shot as Mayor Rudy Giuliani in a “Hamilton” riff and Scarlett Johansson taking a cue from “Little Store of Horrors” to gripe about e-bikes with Paul Rudd.
The grand finale introduced again Kenan Thompson because the well-known Diner Lobster, together with Maya Rudolph because the Statue of Liberty and Taran Killam and Ana Gasteyer as NYC icons Pizza Rat and a pigeon, all for a “One Day Extra” send-off that introduced so many well-known faces on stage. That is “SNL” and New York, child.
2. Bobby Moynihan returns as Drunk Uncle
You may query me for rating one thing so easy this excessive on a listing like this, however Bobby Moynihan completely crushed his return as Drunk Uncle on the Weekend Replace desk. Colin Jost and Michael Che helmed the desk for this anniversary version of the pretend information program. Nonetheless, reasonably than skewering the headlines, they merely poked enjoyable at “SNL” itself earlier than bringing in some particular company for a rousing 15-minute version of Weekend Replace.
The return of Cecily Robust as The Lady You Want You Hadn’t Began a Dialog With was excellent, and the looks of Vanessa Bayer and Fred Armisen as Lorne’s Finest Buddies from Rising Up was hilarious, And sure, Invoice Murray’s bit rating the entire Weekend Replace anchors was completely dry and sarcastic, nevertheless it was Bobby Moynihan’s Drunk Uncle that made me giggle the toughest. From his hate for “Captain America: Courageous New World” (which is likely to be in field workplace hassle) to crying about ripping the buttons on Jost’s shirt, Moynihan was prime notch. The components for the character even obtained just a little meta when he lamented not being Landshark (Chevy Chase’s well-known bit as a shark that attacked the desk), Tracy Morgan from Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet, or “musical visitor Timothée Chalamet” in his greatest impression of the late voiceover announcer Don Pardo. It is a bummer that he by accident killed Sabrina Carpenter although. RIP.
(For some motive, Drunk Uncle did not get damaged out into his personal video, however the bit begins at 4:58 above.)
1. Adam Sandler’s heartfelt tribute track to 50 years of SNL
Nonetheless, one of the best second from the “SNL 50” anniversary particular was additionally its most heartfelt. Adam Sandler took the stage to carry out an authentic track. Nonetheless, this wasn’t only a foolish bit just like the well-known “Chanukah Tune” or “Lunch Girl Land.” As an alternative, this was a tribute to 50 years of “SNL” within the vein of his track about Chris Farley and his tribute to comedy, and he even obtained an introduction from Jack Nicholson, in a uncommon public look from the retired actor.
The track recollected the saga that’s “SNL,” from getting your sketch rejected to by no means being allowed to make use of the lavatory inside Lorne’s workplace. However what helped make the track much more particular had been the tribute to little items of “SNL” that do not typically get celebrated, reminiscent of Nurse Theresa (the medic who works for the present), Wally the cue playing cards man, and Speedy Rosenthal, a longtime member of the “SNL” music division, who Sandler amusingly names as Lorne Michaels’ successor.
One of many funniest references to lesser identified “SNL” lore included Sandler singing about Steven Spielberg often stopping by the present and watching sketches with Lorne Michaels — and when it was clear that they did not just like the sketch in query, some writers would loudly proclaim that “Jaws” was overrated on the after celebration.
After that, the track will get extra heartfelt by acknowledging that the unique 1975 solid was one of the best who ever did it, after which it lists off a number of the present’s beloved and sometimes lesser celebrated solid members and the way lengthy they had been on the collection. From Eddie Murphy to Victoria Jackson, Melanie Hutsell, Phil Hartman, and everybody in between, the track additionally shouts out a number of the greatest writers earlier than selecting 45 years of Lorne Michaels. However the waterworks actually come when Sandler hits a fast tribute to the late Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald earlier than calling all of this one of the best years of their lives.
The most effective years of their lives have additionally given us a number of the largest laughs of ours, and as a longtime, die-hard fan of “Saturday Night time Dwell,” I could not have requested for a greater celebration of the late night time comedy establishment. Here is to a different 50 years.
