Saturday Night Live 50 was a perfectly imperfect celebration of one of the most influential television shows of all-time. The star-studded affair was a reminiscence of the series’ half century on NBC. It was a celebration that did not shy away from patting itself on the back but also did not shy away from self-deprecation and calling out the series’ problematic history. The special basked in the glory of the staggering success its alumni have gone onto, while also taking time to remember those who were lost. It featured musical performances and sketches that ranged in classic SNL fashion from “well, that was a choice” to “well, that was hilarious.” It was a night, for many, of much-needed levity during a time when things seem to be completely out of control — something not foreign to the not ready for prime time players.
In full honesty, to fully review this show would be a tad ridiculous. There was so much that happened that to dissect every segment would be maddening, and somewhat repetitive. So, we’re going to opt for the route our former TV Editor Luke Kalamar took 10 years ago when the 40th Anniversary Special aired. We’re going to look at some of the best moments from the broadcast.
5. Black Jeopardy
Featuring: Keenan Thompson, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy & Tom Hanks
Thoughts: This was a funny sketch that was supposed to be punctuated by the return of Tom Hanks. However, Eddie Murphy impersonating Tracy Morgan, while standing next to Tracy Morgan, was fall-out-of-your-seat funny. Sometimes we forget how good Murphy is because many of us are used to him as “movie star” Eddie Murphy and not “comedian” Eddie Murphy. He was so perfect in this role and made the entire sketch a highly memorable one.
4. Tina Fey & Amy Poehler’s Audience Q&A
Featuring: Nate Bargatze, Ray Romano, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, Adam Driver, Reverend Al Sharpton, Ryan Reynolds, Quinta Brunson, Jason Mamoa, Tim Meadows, Keith Richards, Jon Hamm, Bad Bunny, Seth Meyers, Peyton Manning.
Thoughts: This segment was a huge hit on the 40th Anniversary, so there was no way they wouldn’t do this for the 50th. Tina and Amy were the perfect duo for the segment, because let’s face it, they are one of the best comedic duos to come out of the show. Their natural charisma and quick-wittedness played perfectly to the absurdity the celebrity “questioners” brought to the table. Peyton Manning getting the most time to shine was a surprise, but the former QB hit it out of the park. Ryan Reynolds’ self-effacing moment was well done, while Julia-Louis Dreyfus, to the shock of no one, stole the segment.
3. The Digital Short
Featuring: Andy Samberg, Bowen Yang, Chris Parnell, Sharon Sherman, The Lonely Island, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon, Lorne Michaels, Will Forte.
Thoughts: The Digital Shorts, particularly in the aughts, were the stuff of legend. Lazy Sunday? Natalie’s Rap? Iconic. So, it was obvious they’d bring one back for the 50th. Andy Samberg and Bowen Yang were the stars of this, and they need to work together more frequently because they’re dynamite together. Unsurprisingly, the music from the sketch is an absolutely hilarious ear worm, and the subject matter is so highly relatable to those of us who have anxiety.
2. John Mulaney’s New York Musical
Featuring: John Mulaney, Pete Davidson, David Spade, Adam Driver, Maya Rudolph, Nathan Lane, Paul Shaffer, GE Smith, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Keenan Thompson, Kat McKinnon, Taran Killam, Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, Nick Jonas.
Thoughts: John Mulaney has delivered some excellent musical sketches about New York City that are all based on some amalgam of Broadway classics. “Diner Lobster,” “Port Authority Duane Reade,” “Subway Churro,” “Airport Sushi” and “Bodega Bathroom” are all brilliant creations from Mulaney’s mind. But this was the end all, be all. In the sketch he takes the audience through 50 years of New York City and incorporates The Lion King, Hamilton, Les Miserables and Little Shop of Horrors into a love letter of the bat shit craziness of New York City. It’s perfect. No notes.
1. Weekend Update
Featuring: Colin Jost, Michael Che, Bobby Moynihan, Cecily Strong, Fred Armisen, Vanessa Bayer, Seth Meyers and Bill Murray
Thoughts: Weekend Update is the bedrock of Saturday Night Live. When the desk is strong, so is the show and vice versa. Jost and Che did their usual banter, which was perfectly fine, until they brought a cavalcade of characters in. First, was Cecily Strong’s “Woman You Don’t Want to Talk to at a Party.” Strong swung for the fences on this, leaning so hard into the character’s mispronunciation and misunderstanding of literally everything, and it brought some huge belly laughs. Then Bobby Moynihan came in as Drunk Uncle — a staple for Update — and he went for the lungs. He was absolutely, beautifully unhinged in his return and it was absolutely tear-inducing. Bayer and Armisen were up next as Lorne Michaels’ childhood best friends and they were able to take things down a notch from Drunk Uncle without losing any levity. Finally, the granddaddy of them all — Bill Murray — came in and delivered the type of wry-smiling, insult humor that only he can deliver with his ranking of the Update hosts. This was a perfect segment and the best part of SNL 50.
