Saturday Night Live Marks 50 Years with Star-Studded Anniversary Special

The three-and-a-half-hour event celebrated SNL's legacy with nostalgic tributes, celebrity appearances, and mixed critical reception.

The SNL50 special featured a blend of classic sketches, musical performances, and appearances by former cast members and celebrity guests, including Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Meryl Streep.
Adam Sandler performed a heartfelt song honoring late SNL alumni Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald, while Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman paid tribute to Gilda Radner on stage.
The event included a mix of nostalgic callbacks and new material, such as John Mulaney’s satirical musical sketch on New York City’s history and Eddie Murphy’s standout impression of Tracy Morgan in 'Black Jeopardy!'.
Critics noted a lack of balance between honoring SNL's extensive history and focusing on recent sketches, with some segments feeling underdeveloped or overly reliant on celebrity cameos.
Musical performances by Miley Cyrus, Brittany Howard, and Paul McCartney added emotional weight, though the show struggled to match the impact of SNL's 40th anniversary celebration.