Live from New York, it was Sunday night!
And what a night it was.
The SNL 50th Anniversary special was a star-studded, sketch-filled, musical extravaganza that had everyone talking.
Did it live up to the hype?
Well, buckle up, because we’re diving into the highlights, the lowlights, and everything in between.
Think of it as a hilarious, slightly chaotic, family reunion – one where everyone’s trying to one-up each other with their best impression.
A Star-Studded Affair: Who Showed Up?
Seriously, the guest list read like a who’s who of Hollywood and comedy royalty.
Meryl Streep (yes, *the* Meryl Streep!), Jon Hamm, Ryan Reynolds, and the legendary Paul McCartney all graced the stage.
Former cast members like Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell also returned, bringing their signature brand of humor.
It was a real celebration of SNL’s legacy, proving that even after 50 years, the show still knows how to throw a party.
But with so many stars in one room, was there enough stage to go around?
Did everyone get their moment to shine?
Let’s see…
The Highs: Moments That Made Us Laugh (and Maybe Tear Up a Little)
Eddie Murphy emerged as the undisputed MVP of the night, proving that he’s still got it.
His return to “Black Jeopardy,” impersonating Tracy Morgan, was absolutely sidesplitting.
And who could forget Will Ferrell, shining in every sketch he appeared in?
These two legends reminded us why we fell in love with SNL in the first place.
Was it just us, or did everyone else miss seeing them every Saturday night?
John Mulaney’s bizarre musical about New York City’s dark side was another standout moment.
It was weird, it was biting, and it was exactly the kind of humor that has kept SNL fresh for five decades.
“New York to Ford, Who’s Dead Now?”— now *that’s* a headline.
Let’s just say, it definitely wasn’t your typical Broadway number.
And then there was Adam Sandler’s heartfelt tribute to the cast and crew.
He sang about the painful moments of sketch rejections, threw in some playful jabs at Lorne Michaels, and even got choked up when mentioning Phil Hartman and Chris Farley.
It was a genuine, touching moment that reminded us of the family that SNL has created over the years.
*sniff*
The Lows: Not Every Joke Landed
Let’s be honest, not every sketch was a home run.
Some felt a little too “insidery,” like hanging out at a high school reunion you never attended.
And while it was cool to see so many celebrity cameos, some sketches went on a bit too long, diluting the humor.
The “Lawrence Welk” revival?
Yeah, that one left us scratching our heads too.
Furthermore, musical performances from Paul Simon and Paul McCartney, while legendary, revealed the strain of time.
Simon struggled to stay on key, and McCartney seemed to grapple with those high notes.
It was a reminder that even our musical heroes aren’t immune to the passage of time.
Did anyone else feel a little pang of sadness, or was it just us?
And speaking of omissions, some wondered where certain former cast members were.
Dana Carvey, who nailed his impression of Joe Biden, and Bill Hader, a comedic genius in his own right, were noticeably absent.
Where *were* they?
The world may never know.
SNL’s In Memoriam Segment: A Bold Move?
Tom Hanks introduced a video montage of SNL sketches and characters that “do not stand the test of time,” as mentioned in the original source content.
It was a bold move to acknowledge the show’s past missteps, including problematic sketches involving racial stereotypes and questionable makeup choices.
The *SNL 50th Anniversary Saturday Night* event certainly took a risk in this regard.
Hanks himself quipped, “So if anyone should be canceled, shouldn’t it be you, the audience?” The question remains: did this approach land, or did it fall flat?
The Musical Moments: From Simon & Carpenter to McCartney’s Grand Finale
The night kicked off with a surprising duet between Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter, performing a touching version of “Homeward Bound.” It was a sweet and unexpected way to start the celebration.
And who can forget Paul McCartney’s powerhouse medley of Beatles tunes to close the night?
Even though he may have struggled with some of the high notes, it was still an unforgettable performance from a true rock legend.
Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard also delivered a moving tribute to Sinead O’Connor, performing “Nothing Compares 2 U.” It was a powerful moment, especially considering O’Connor’s controversial history with SNL.
Did this performance finally bring some closure to that chapter?
50th Anniversary Goodnights – SNL50.
The perfect sendoff.
Weekend Update: A Familiar Face-Off
What’s SNL without “Weekend Update”?
Michael Che and Colin Jost welcomed back some familiar faces to the desk, including Seth Meyers and Bill Murray.
Murray, in classic Murray fashion, used his time to rank every anchor in SNL history, leaving Jost notably absent from the list.
Ouch!
Cecily Strong also reprised her role as “Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party,” while Bobby Moynihan returned as “Drunk Uncle.” It was a welcome dose of familiar characters, reminding us of the many hilarious moments “Weekend Update” has delivered over the years.
Digital Shorts: A Dose of Modern Humor
Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island delivered a brand new digital short, “Everyone on SNL Has Anxiety!” It was a hilarious and relatable look at the pressures of working at the fast-paced, high-pressure show.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s *really* like behind the scenes at SNL, this short gave you a pretty good idea.
And who *doesn’t* have anxiety these days, am I right?
SNL: More Than Just a Show
As the celebrations concluded, one thing became clear: SNL is more than just a sketch comedy show; it’s a cultural institution.
As Martin Short so eloquently put it at the end of the evening, it’s all thanks to Lorne Michaels.
It has launched careers, shaped comedy, and given us countless unforgettable moments.
But let’s not get *too* sentimental, okay?
The Closing: A Packed Stage and a Heartfelt Thank You
The show ended, as all regular SNL episodes do, with a massive group of cast members and guests onstage bidding viewers a good night.
This time, however, the stage seemed even more packed, as everyone who participated in the milestone episode gathered behind Martin Short, who delivered closing remarks.
“Short thanked the original cast members who helped pave the way for everyone in the years that followed.
Among those behind Martin Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman, who held up a picture of Gilda Radner.” Short ended the evening with a shoutout to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, “the reason we’re all here, the man who made our dreams come true.” So basically, thanks Lorne, for 50 years of laughs (and maybe a few groans along the way).
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth the Hype?
So, did the *SNL 50th Anniversary Saturday Night* special live up to the hype?
Arguably one of the best attempts, it provided a nostalgic journey through the show’s history, with plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a whole lot of star power.
Was it perfect?
No.
But was it entertaining?
Absolutely.
And after 50 years, isn’t that what really matters?
What did *you* think of the show?
Let us know in the comments below!