Structured like a traditional SNL episode, this extended celebration featured a plethora of cast members and guest appearances from across the show?s storied history. It was packed with fresh sketches, dynamic musical performances, pre-taped segments, and even a star-studded edition of ?Weekend Update,? ensuring that both die-hard fans and newcomers alike were thoroughly entertained.

In a departure from the usual political jabs or topical humor, the SNL50 special opted for humor that was broad and timeless, which felt entirely appropriate for a retrospective celebration of this scale. This approach allowed for moments of nostalgia while ensuring that the comedy resonated with audiences of all ages, making it a fitting tribute to the show?s vast history.

While James Austin Johnson?s portrayal of Donald Trump remains a standout, it?s the unique character sketches that withstand the test of time. Iconic pieces like Kate McKinnon?s ?Close Encounters,? Kristen Wiig?s Maharelle sisters, the beloved ?Black Jeopardy!? sketch, and Marcello Hernandez?s recent Domingo series are what truly resonate with audiences, showcasing the creative brilliance of the show.

Wiig?s Dooneese Maharelle made a grand return, accompanied by her ?sisters? Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansson. Their performance, which included a humorous segment where Ana Gasteyer utilized Kim?s derriere as a bongo, quickly became one of the evening?s most talked-about moments, further solidifying the sketch?s place in SNL history.

?Black Jeopardy!? delivered one of the night?s most memorable impressions, featuring Eddie Murphy hilariously taking on the role of Tracy Morgan, standing next to the real Tracy Morgan. This sketch was a comedic highlight, while Sarah Sherman?s portrayal of Michael Bloomberg received a less favorable response, as noted by John Mulaney during his engaging musical number.

The latest Domingo installment showcased Andrew Dismukes? groomsmen, featuring appearances by Andy Samberg, Beck Bennett, Bowen Yang, and Kyle Mooney, alongside Domingo?s brothers Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny. Additionally, McKinnon?s ?Close Encounters? made a striking return, introducing Pascal and Woody Harrelson into the alien abduction narrative, with Meryl Streep making her SNL debut as her character?s mother.

Samberg also contributed a new SNL Digital Short, while Bill Murray humorously ranked the ?Weekend Update? hosts. Rarely seen Mike Myers made a surprise appearance, crashing Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph?s ?Bronx Beat? segment with a nostalgic ?Coffee Talk? moment as Linda Richman.

One of the evening’s most viral moments occurred during a star-studded Q&A session led by Poehler and Tina Fey. Social media exploded with reactions to Ryan Reynolds appearing alongside Blake Lively, especially amid her ongoing legal issues with It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni.

This star-studded lineup filled Studio 8H with unforgettable moments, from Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon?s musical opening to Steve Martin?s nostalgic monologue and Martin Short?s fond farewells shared with Lorne Michaels in what felt like the most packed stage in SNL history.

This celebration wasn’t merely a showcase of familiar faces, but also featured some of the greatest characters in sketch comedy history. A standout moment included a fresh appearance of Debbie Downer with Rachel Dratch, who humorously squared off against Robert De Niro in a not-to-be-missed sketch.

As always, we are ranking all the sketches from worst to best, including the Monologue, Cold Open, ?Weekend Update,? and any sketches that were cut for time but made their way online. Additionally, we included this week?s musical guests, while we opted to skip Player of the Week since the regular cast only made sporadic appearances.

Despite some initial audio issues that rendered Lil Wayne?s vocals nearly inaudible beneath the band, he eventually settled into a familiar tour of his greatest hits. While Lil Wayne undeniably reigns as a king of hip-hop, some might question why he was selected for this musical slot. Paul Simon is an SNL staple, and Sinead O?Connor has delivered some of the most memorable performances in the show’s history. Although Wayne has previously appeared thrice, none of those performances made a significant impact. Perhaps this was an effort to give Lil Wayne some overdue recognition, especially after many were surprised by his absence as a halftime performer during the Super Bowl. This isn?t a knock on his talent or influence in music; however, many fans might have preferred to see Ashlee Simpson get a chance for redemption instead.

At 83 years old, Paul Simon opened the show with a subdued performance of ?Homeward Bound,? accompanied by 25-year-old Sabrina Carpenter. She humorously noted that she wasn?t born when he first performed this iconic song on SNL, and neither were her parents. The multi-generational collaboration did not detract from the beauty of their performance as Paul played and sang beautifully, while Sabrina provided a stunning complement, showcasing the bridge between generations in music.

It was a bold choice to kick off the anniversary special with a nearly 59-year-old song rather than a sketch, but you can?t go wrong with one of the iconic musical figures from the show?s early years paired with one of its future stars. Their performance was both sweet and impactful, even if the iconic ?Live from New York, it?s Saturday Night? was somewhat drowned out by the enthusiastic audience.

This performance was one of the most iconic musical guest moments in SNL history. However, there was no acknowledgment of the pivotal moment when Sinead O?Connor famously ripped up a picture of the Pope in protest against the abuses covered up by the Catholic Church. O?Connor was years ahead of her time, facing severe backlash while being right about the injustices she spoke out against. While the rendition of this Prince-penned classic was beautifully executed, it felt like a moment that deserved more recognition than just a musical callout.

Paul McCartney?s appearance felt like a natural fit, especially given Lorne Michaels’ past attempts to bribe the original Beatles into reuniting on SNL during the show’s early days. Over the years, McCartney has graced the SNL stage eight times, participating in both sketches and musical performances during nearly every visit. As a legendary figure in music, his presence was a treat for all in attendance, making his performance a highlight of the evening.

Miles Teller made a rather unexpected appearance in this returning sketch featuring Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph. This followed the reveal of Mike Myers making a rare appearance as his ?Coffee Talk? character, Linda Richman. While it was heartwarming to see all three together, the sketch leaned more on nostalgia than genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. For the first time that night, viewers found themselves hoping this segment wouldn?t take up too much time, especially given early sound issues and an intrusive mic shadow that demanded attention.

This retrospective montage revisited many of the cancelable moments throughout SNL history, potentially provoking modern sensitivities about the show?s past. From Adrien Brody?s Rastafarian stereotype to the objectification of an underage Lindsay Lohan, SNL displayed a range of problematic moments. While they blurred out instances of blackface and censored inappropriate language, the segment highlighted the show?s past flaws, including the ?Gay Panic? that dominated for years. This reflection was a bit cringeworthy but served as a reminder of how times have changed, and as Tom Hanks noted, audiences found humor in these moments at the time ? raising questions about who should truly be ‘canceled.’