‘Saturday Night Live’ marks its 50th anniversary with a celebration of comedy, music, and numerous celebrity guests

'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) recently commemorated its 50th anniversary, a milestone that underscores the show's profound influence on American comedy and pop culture. The celebration featured an array of performances by notable artists, including Paul Simon and Paul McCartney, along with a comedic monologue delivered by Steve Martin. The event not only honored SNL's legacy but also showcased the collaborative spirit of past and present cast members, such as Tina Fey and Adam Sandler, who reminisced about their experiences on the show .

Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter duetted on Simon’s “Homeward Bound” to open the show, five-decade “Saturday Night Live” luminary Steve Martin delivered the monologue, and Paul McCartney gave an epic closing to a 50th anniversary special celebrating the sketch institution that was overflowing with famous former cast members, superstar hosts and legendary guests.

The 83-year-old Simon has been essential to “SNL” since its earliest episodes in 1975, and told the 25-year-old pop sensation of the moment Carpenter that he first performed “Homeward Bound” on “SNL” in 1976.

Martin, one of the show's most prolific hosts and guests since the first season in 1975, tried to keep it current in the monologue even on a backward-looking night.

Martin said when the show's creator Lorne Michaels only told him he'd be doing the monologue, “I was actually vacationing on a friend’s boat down on the Gulf of Steve Martin.”

He was joined by former “SNL” luminaries and frequent hosts Martin Short and John Mulaney, who looked at the star-studded crowd full of former hosts in the same Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza that has been the show's longtime home.

The anniversary special served as a retrospective on SNL's rich history in sketch comedy. With appearances from various former hosts and musical guests like Miley Cyrus and Lil Wayne, the event highlighted the program's ability to adapt over time while maintaining its core essence. Notably, segments featuring nostalgic anecdotes—such as Jimmy Fallon's audition tape from 1998—added depth to the celebration by offering insights into the anxieties faced by early cast members . This interplay between nostalgia and humor is emblematic of SNL’s unique position in American television.

Moreover, moments like Martin Short’s playful banter with John Mulaney emphasized how SNL has not only shaped individual careers but also contributed to broader cultural conversations. The inclusion of iconic sketches from yesteryears further reinforced this connection between past and present performers. As evidenced by its extensive guest roster and memorable performances, SNL's 50th anniversary was more than just a celebration; it was a testament to its enduring legacy in shaping comedic discourse.

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Sarah H

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