Given how many iconic Saturday Night Live stars we've lost over the years, from Gilda Radner to John Belushi to Phil Hartman, we were certainly expecting some kind of commemoration to those talents lost in tonight's SNL50: The Anniversary Special. However, Adam Sandler's sweet "50 Years" number kind of took care of that, honoring dearly departed alumni like Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald as well as the decades-spanning history of the NBC franchise.
So when eight-time SNL host Tom Hanks popped up to somberly introduce the "In Memoriam" segment, we were admittedly confused — until the actor explained that he was actually there to introduce a memoriam to sketches that didn't stand the test of time, whether they were full of offensive jokes or featured uber-problematic guests like Sean "Diddy" Combs, Robert Blake and R. Kelly. "Even though these characters, accents and...let's just call them 'ethnic' wigs were unquestionably in poor taste, you all laughed at them," Hanks began. "So, if anyone should be cancelled, shouldn't it be you, the audience? Something to think about!"
? SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox ?
The four-minute montage spanned various eras of the iconic sketch-comedy series, from the original 1975 cast (think Belushi as a Japanese samurai) to early-aughts bits like Tracy Morgan's Astronaut Jones declaring that he wanted to see Britney Spears' "fat ass". With categories ranging from "Ethnic Stereotypes" to "Body Shaming" to "Underage Sexual Harassment," the special gamely dug into the show's controversial history.
And among the called-out numbers were several iconic bits, including Dan Aykroyd's famous Weekend Update debate opener, "Jane, you ignorant slut!"; Chris Farley's very physical audition as a Chippendales dancer opposite a well-muscled Patrick Swayze; and Darrell Hammond's memorably sauced turn as Sean Connery in Celebrity Jeopardy. ("I'll take 'The Rapists' for $200.")
Check out the whole SNL50 "In Memoriam" segment below:
In Memoriam #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/8aUmE6nHgy
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 17, 2025Related: Bill Murray Ranks Every Weekend Update Anchor From Worst to Best on 'SNL50'
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 'SNL' Calls Out History of Problematic Sketches in 'In Memoriam' of Cancelable Offenses )
Also on site :
- ‘Her husband has 100% made a comment about how cute you look’: Mom tells teacher she’s dressed too inappropriately to be around ‘young boys.’ Then she shows viewers what she’s wearing
- Pro-EU candidate wins Romanian presidential election rerun
- Kamala Harris Reacts to President Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis: “Joe Is a Fighter”