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Six of the best moments from ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ (and a bonus)

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For one special occasion, marking the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live”, several iconic characters and skits such as “Black Jeopardy”, “Bronx Beat” and “Debbie Downer” came back to life on stage.

Titled “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” this live, prime-time NBC event on Sunday night spanned over three hours and essentially showcased an extended version of the late-night show. The program started with a cold open featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon performing “Homeward Bound.” Steve Martin then delivered a monologue, aided by John Mulaney and Martin Short. The musical lineup included Miley Cyrus, Brittany Howard (who sang Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” in tribute to Sinead O’Connor), rapper Lil Wayne with The Roots, and Beatles icon Paul McCartney. Before the special, a red carpet event, hosted by “SNL” alum Leslie Jones, showcased the stars who would be gracing Studio 8H.

The event marked the climax of a three-day extravaganza dedicated to the television show, which kicked off on Friday with “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” at Radio City Music Hall. A diverse array of artists graced the stage, having appeared on the show throughout its history, such as Cher, Lady Gaga, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill from The Fugees, Devo, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, Nirvana with Post Malone on vocals, the Backstreet Boys, Robyn, David Byrne, Arcade Fire with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Jack White. He wrapped up the show with two songs: a rendition of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Seven Nation Army.” Scenes from the show were interspersed between performances (for additional details, read on). The three-hour concert was broadcast live on Peacock, where it remains available for viewing – don’t miss out!

Television

The long-running comedy variety show is marking its 50th anniversary by releasing two documentaries and a primetime special, looking back at its enduring status as a cultural icon in America.

Last Saturday, NBC broadcast the inaugural episode of the show that debuted in October 1975, during its regular “SNL” airtime. Several actors from the initial cast were present at the special event held on Sunday, among them Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman (who performed a sketch titled “Chad” alongside Pete Davidson), and Garrett Morris. He introduced a short clip from Season 3 called “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” which featured John Belushi as an elderly man visiting the graves of his fellow cast members; Belushi passed away in 1982. During the farewells, Curtin and Newman were seen holding up a black-and-white photograph of Gilda Radner, another original cast member who died in 1989. Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, was observing from the sidelines.

Here are some of the highlights from the “SNL50” special, selected by The Times’ television staff.

A Domingo reprise with musical stars and ‘SNL’ greats

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In a recent turn of events, the character Domingo, portrayed by Marcello Hernández, reappeared, making this his third skit since his vibrant introduction in October. Known for his distinctive soul patch and mischievous nature, Domingo became entangled in an affair with the bride-to-be Kelsey (Chloe Fineman). At her wedding, he even joined the bridesmaids in song to confess the affair to her new husband (Andrew Dismukes). Each subsequent appearance of this character has been progressively messier.

In the third episode, Kelsey’s parents (portrayed brilliantly by Martin Short and Molly Shannon) raise a toast to the couple during their vow renewal in front of her friends, with Sabrina Carpenter leading the group in a somewhat discordant ode, this time performing a blend of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me”. Following this, Hernandez as Domingo announces that he has not one but two brothers, who have each had complicated relationships with the family. These brothers are played by Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny.

In a twist on Dry January’s opposite challenge, “Wet February,” Shannon found himself dancing close to Bad Bunny in one of the night’s most intriguing and enjoyable duos. This segment mirrored many aspects of the evening with its unpredictable celebrity appearances, catering perhaps to a more youthful audience less familiar with classic sketches from times past. – Kaitlyn Huamani

Meryl Streep’s first-ever ‘SNL’ appearance (yes, really)

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Meryl Streep and Martin Short as a secretive pair is adorable, but Streep and Pedro Pascal flirting as characters who’ve been taken by aliens? That’s something extraordinary! In an unexpected debut on “SNL” — yes, we know it’s insane — Streep portrayed Colleen Sr., the mother of alien abductee Colleen Rafferty, a recurring character played by Kate McKinnon. The “Close Encounter” sketch depicted the mother-daughter duo discussing their extraterrestrial experiences with investigators (Andy Bryant and Jon Hamm) at the Pentagon. They were accompanied by two men, Kermit (Pascal) and Dusty (Woody Harrelson), who enthusiastically shared their alien encounters. However, it’s Streep’s authentic portrayal of Colleen Sr.’s casual, nonchalant attitude that makes the sketch stand out. If you want to understand what a vibe is, just watch Streep casually dressed in blue jeans and a relaxed button-down, holding a cigarette and plastic cup while spreading her legs comfortably and chatting about her garden or her husband’s physical attributes.

It’s when Kermit complements her on her maternal instincts, saving her child from aliens, that Meryl Streep’s dedication to the role becomes evident. She responds, “Well, a good mother can still be quite rebellious.” She emphasizes this by crossing one leg over the armrest of the chair and asks, “And what’s your name, mustache?” This scene makes us wish that Kermit and Colleen Sr. were on “Love is Blind” to liven up the dull dates this season. But since that’s not possible, we’re hoping “SNL” will invite Streep as a host soon. What’s taking so long, guys? – Yvonne Villarreal

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s audience Q&A

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As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d say it never fails to excite me when Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the dynamic duo of SNL, join forces once more. These brilliant former Weekend Update hosts and Golden Globes emcees took questions from an illustrious audience about the show’s rich history. Keith Richards humorously inquired about a missing scarf he left at 30 Rock back in the ’90s, while Jon Lovitz jokingly wondered why he was situated across the street at the American Girl store. Even Jon Hamm couldn’t resist asking for confirmation that his comedic talents are indeed recognized!

The Q&A segment, as noted by Seth Meyers, offered a fantastic platform for celebrities not featured elsewhere in the show to shine. It was also exciting to spot celebrities like Cher and Kevin Costner among the audience at Studio 8H, along with those fortunate enough to bring an additional guest. However, the most intriguing moment during this segment wasn’t about the high-profile attendees. Instead, it was the fleeting presence of Donna Richards, who dresses the host weekly on “SNL.” She has had a unique perspective, having seen every celebrity here in their undergarments. Her favorite? Jason Momoa. Oh, the tales she could share! — Meredith Blake

New York, the musical

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In my humble opinion, the comedic tribute to the ever-evolving spirit of New York City in this special was an unexpectedly amusing concept. It all began with John Mulaney donning the role of a street vendor, guiding two aspiring city dwellers (David Spade and Pete Davidson) through the labyrinth of the Big Apple. However, the laughter truly escalated when Adam Driver appeared in a hot dog costume, and Maya Rudolph took on the character of a drug-infused needle, poking fun at the iconic ‘Fame.’

The Broadway musical spoofs continued to unfold, showcasing an impressive vocal range from Scarlett Johansson as the battered Audrey in a parody of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The comedic genius didn’t stop there; Lin-Manuel Miranda and McKinnon brilliantly mocked disgraced New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani by riffing on elements from “Hamilton,” creating a memorable blend of history and humor.

The best part was a funny skit that played with the new atmosphere of Times Square, starring Jason Sudeikis as a pimp and Will Forte as Cookie Monster reenacting the iconic duet between Jean Valjean and Javert from “Les Misérables” (notably performed by Jenna Ortega and Costner who seemed very awkwardly seated together). The climax included numerous singers and celebrities, with someone dressed as Robert De Niro from “Taxi Driver.” It was a hilarious moment. — Greg Braxton

Television

Tom Broecker plays a crucial role in the visual vocabulary of ‘SNL,’ heading the costume design team responsible for crafting some of the program’s most hilarious scenes.

‘Weekend Update’ ranks the anchors

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How does “SNL” look without the segment “Weekend Update”? Colin Jost and Michael Che started off the segment with humor about the show’s numerous awards (95 Emmys, one Grammy, three Peabody awards, and over 100 Tonys for the crew) and their decision to squeeze every popular entertainer aged 60 or above into a small area due to outbreaks of the flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus. Che also honored Norm MacDonald, the cherished and iconic anchor, while hinting at his persistent jokes about O.J. Simpson.

Cecily Strong portrayed a character named “The Woman You Regret Talking To At A Party,” who struggled with large words and told Che, “There are people in Africa. You should be aware, you’ve probably checked your phone.” Bobby Moynihan appeared as the 70-year-old “Drunk Uncle” who had fathered her child, and started crying while singing Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time.” This was followed by Michael’s friends, played by Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer, who appeared nervous around the creator of the show.

However, the highlight of “Update” was Bill Murray’s anchor rankings, where he singled out Che as the best Black anchor among the group. The list started with Colin Quinn, Kevin Nealon, Dennis Miller, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, and a pair consisting of Fey and Poehler. Interestingly, Chase was the original anchor but was not included by Murray. Instead, he placed Curtin and Dan Aykroyd in the top three, followed by MacDonald, and finally, his brother Brian Doyle-Murray. – Maira Garcia

Big Red’s legs will scare you straight

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Gazing at Will Ferrell in prison-style briefs, flaunting his pale thighs, seems an unexpected remedy for easing the anxiety of Sundays. Yet, it somehow managed to do just that. — R.B.

Bonus: The Culps do Kendrick Lamar on ‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert’

The weekend extravaganza commenced on Friday with a concert showcasing legends such as Cher, David Byrne, Snoop Dogg, Marty Culp, and Bobbi Mohan-Culp. Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer revisited their popular duo role, delivering a medley of modern hits in their distinctive formal manner. Highlights included Doechii’s “Denial is a River” and Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!”, but the most captivating moment was the Culps’ unusual rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a Grammy-winning diss track and Super Bowl sensation. As she perfectly executed the song’s iconic riff in Bobbi’s operatic tone, Gasteyer reminded everyone at Radio City Music Hall why she has always been a star. — M.B.

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2025-02-17 15:33

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