Iconic Performances, Surprises and Tributes Highlight SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special
The highly anticipated three-hour special to mark the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live (SNL) brought together a dazzling array of stars in New York’s Rockefeller Centre. The event, held on Sunday instead of the usual Saturday, paid homage to the groundbreaking comedy show that first aired in 1975.
SNL has been a launchpad for numerous comedy legends, from Eddie Murphy to Bill Murray, and some of these stars returned for the anniversary celebration, joined by fresh talent. Here are the standout moments from the show:
Kamala Harris Makes a Surprise Appearance
Vice President Kamala Harris made an unexpected appearance, leaving the audience stunned with her charm and wit.
Adele Hosts with Delight and Nerves
Adele, known for her powerhouse voice, took on the role of host for the first time. She shared her excitement and nervousness, making for an endearing opening.
A Nostalgic Flashback
Sabrina Carpenter kicked off the night with a duet alongside Paul Simon, performing “Homeward Bound” by Simon & Garfunkel. Simon, who first performed the song on SNL in 1976, joked about the generational gap, as neither Carpenter nor her parents had been born at the time.
Nirvana’s Surprise Return
In one of the night’s most unexpected reunions, Nirvana returned to the stage, joined by Post Malone. The performance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” brought back memories of the band’s legendary SNL appearances in the ’90s.
Legal Drama References
SNL never shies away from poking fun at current events. During a segment, Ryan Reynolds, who is involved in a public legal battle with his wife Blake Lively, was asked about his well-being. His playful response, “Great! Why, what have you heard?” had the audience laughing.
Aubrey Plaza Pays Tribute
Aubrey Plaza made a poignant return to SNL following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena. In a heartfelt moment, she introduced Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard for a performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U” and wore a tie-dye shirt, a style that held special significance as it was part of the couple’s wedding attire.
Meryl Streep’s Hilarious Debut
A virtually unrecognisable Meryl Streep made her SNL debut in a hilarious sketch where she flirted with Pedro Pascal, referencing her iconic role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada.
Garrett Morris Returns
Garrett Morris, an original cast member from SNL’s first season, made a triumphant return. Morris, the first Black cast member, received a warm welcome from fans, joking about his unexpected number of reunion appearances.
Domingo and His Brothers
The popular character Domingo returned for the special, this time with his brothers, portrayed by Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal. The trio’s performance added a touch of chaos and humour to the anniversary event.
Kim Kardashian’s Return
Kim Kardashian made a memorable return to SNL, joining former cast members Ana Gasteyer, Kristen Wiig, and Scarlett Johansson for a hilarious sketch, building on her previous infamous Aladdin kiss with Pete Davidson.
Adam Sandler’s SNL Song
In a touching tribute, Adam Sandler, accompanied by Jack Nicholson, sang a song listing SNL’s past cast members, including several late stars such as Chris Farley and Gilda Radner.
Tom Hanks Hosts a Spoof Tribute
Tom Hanks introduced a parody segment titled “In Memoriam,” where he paid tribute to SNL sketches that haven’t aged well. Despite the questionable taste, he humorously suggested that the audience should be “cancelled” for laughing at them in the past.
