Here’s The Best Sketches and Moments From SNL50: The Anniversary Special
Live from New York, it’s a Saturday Night Live celebration!
SNL50: The Anniversary Special was a spectacular celebration with SNL alumni and stars filling up Studio 8H to celebrate the sketch comedy program’s iconic 50 year run. Let’s break down the 10 best moments and sketches from New York’s biggest night!
Chad in 8H
Original SNL cast member Laraine Newman returned to 8H to reminisce on her time on the show. Luckily, everyone’s favorite nonchalant guy was there to help her embark on this journey! Pete Davidson reprised his role as Chad, as he and Newman explored the historic studio together. Watching two SNL legends team up to celebrate the show was both magical and hilarious.
Audience Q&A
Can you name a better comedy duo than Tina Fey and Amy Poehler? The duo teamed up for an audience Q&A session and the stars were full of questions! From Quinta Brunson’s deep cut questions to Bad Bunny and Jon Hamm seeking validation that they’re funny, to Ryan Reynolds calling out his ongoing legal battle, Fey and Poehler had an answer to every question.
Black Jeopardy
This laugh-out-loud sketch brought back Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, and Eddie Murphy to compete in “Black Jeopardy,” a sketch following in the footsteps of Will Ferrell’s original “Jeopardy” sketches. Kenan Thompson hosted and tried his best to keep his patience as the contestants were completely oblivious to every question surrounding Saturday Night Live. Perhaps the funniest part of this sketch was Murphy impersonating Morgan perfectly. Tom Hanks and Chris Rock also had brief cameos in the sketch to round out the performance.
Adam Sandler’s Song: 50 Years
Known for his catchy songs during his run on Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler returned to the 8H stage to perform a tribute to 50 years of the sketch comedy show. I won’t lie, I got emotional watching this! Sandler highlighted the memorable sketches, laughs, alumni, and cast members we lost too soon. It was a touching tribute with Sandler’s signature charisma and humor that made this the perfect musical number to commemorate 50 years of SNL.
Close Encounter 50th
Kate McKinnon reprised her iconic role as Ms. Rafferty in an alien encounter sketch. Aidy Bryant and Jon Hamm play Pentagon investigators, while Pedro Pascal and Woody Harrelson join McKinnon as the latest to be abducted by the aliens. The best part of this sketch was Meryl Streep making her SNL debut as Ms. Rafferty’s mother, and it was hysterical. Streep committed to the role and went full Ms. Rafferty. Seeing Streep stray away from her usual poised characters and lean into the silliness of this sketch was a highlight of the night. It was so fun to watch as she and McKinnon tried not to break character. It was also shocking to learn that Streep had never been on the SNL until this sketch, but what a fantastic debut for the beloved actress!
Weekend Update: Bill Murray Ranks His Best Weekend Update Anchors of All Time
Bill Murray returned to the Weekend Update desk to deliver his personal ranking of the best Weekend Update Anchors of all time. This segment was a joy to watch large in part to Murray returning to SNL and his quick jabs at Colin Jost and Michael Che. I only have one question. Why didn’t Seth Meyers make the list?
Scared Straight
Jason Sudeikis returned to Studio 8H as a police officer trying to scare some teen shoplifters straight. He brought in three convicts played by Kenan Thompson, Eddie Murphy, and Will Ferrell. This sketch is unhinged on so many levels. The shoplifters are played by Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Mikey Day who desperately try to play it cool as the convicts continuously upped the ante. The most fun part of this sketch was seeing SNL alumni work with current cast members. It’s like watching a crossover episode that you hope never ends!
Debbie Downer: Bar
This character is a staple in my household! Rachel Dratch returned as Debbie Downer who was bartending at the Anniversary Special. I mean, who else would you want interacting with guests? Jimmy Fallon, Ayo Edebiri, Drew Barrymore, and Robert De Niro play themselves trying to celebrate the show’s anniversary, but in classic Debbie Downer fashion, she had some depressing anecdotes to bring the fun conversation to a harsh stop. This SNL character remains a classic and I’m so glad they added Fallon to this sketch because the hilarious Disney World sketch will always be one of my favorites thanks to him and Dratch.
Domingo: Vow Renewal
Only two words can describe this sketch: pure joy. This sketch brought back The Kels Squad, Domingo, and the married couple that can’t escape this Latin lover. Sabrina Carpenter led The Kels Squad with new iterations of “Espresso,” “Defying Gravity,” and “You Belong With Me.” Bringing in Carpenter for this sketch was a clever nod to her recent tour where Hernandez as Domingo joined her for a performance of “Juno.” However, the funniest part of this sketch was the inclusion of Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny as Domingo’s brothers who hooked up with Kelsey’s husband and her parents. Talk about an awkward family reunion!
50th Anniversary Goodnights
The newest member of the Five Timers Club, Martin Short closed out the special with celebrities, alumni, current cast members, and Lorne Michaels on stage. Original cast members Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris , Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman were on stage and it was bittersweet to see Curtin and Newman holding a photo of the late Gilda Radner to make sure she was at the special in spirit. It’s surreal to see so many people joined together to celebrate a show that has brought people joy for 50 years. I can’t wait to see what they do in the next 50 years!
SNL50: The Anniversary Special is now streaming on Peacock.
