The best way to understand SNL50: The Anniversary Special is as an oversized live episode, not a clip show. Broadcast from Studio 8H on February 16, 2025, the three-hour NBC event—listed by Peacock at 152 minutes—mixed new sketches, returning characters, musical performances, archival films and a huge reunion of former and current cast members. Its strongest moments came when the anniversary stopped behaving like a museum exhibit and put different generations of Saturday Night Live performers in the same comic frame.
Below is a broadcast-order recap, followed by the best sketches, the major guest stars and cameos, the music lineup, the most revealing archival clips, and practical information about watching the complete special.
What is SNL50: The Anniversary Special?
SNL50: The Anniversary Special was the live culmination of NBC’s celebration of 50 years of Saturday Night Live. NBC announced a three-hour primetime broadcast, scheduled from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern, but the live event ran longer in practice—contemporary coverage described it as roughly three and a half hours.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRather than presenting a conventional “greatest hits” program, the special used the shape of a very long SNL episode: a musical opening, monologue, recurring-character sketches, Weekend Update, digital shorts, live performances, pre-taped material, archival packages and crowded goodnights. That format was important. It allowed the night to celebrate the show’s past without making the current cast disappear.
Garrett Morris, one of the original Not Ready for Primetime Players, appeared alongside veterans including Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy. They shared the evening with later alumni such as Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg, as well as the current ensemble. The special’s governing idea was continuity: the show was old enough to have several distinct eras, but still alive enough to make new material for the occasion.
Full recap in broadcast order
1. Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter open with “Homeward Bound”
Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter opened the special with “Homeward Bound.” Simon recalled performing the song with George Harrison on SNL in 1976, immediately connecting the anniversary broadcast to the program’s earliest years. Carpenter supplied the generational contrast: a current pop star sharing the stage with a songwriter whose SNL history reaches back almost to the beginning.
The choice also established the special’s method. It would not simply show old footage and then move on. It would place the past and present together and let the contrast become part of the entertainment.
2. Steve Martin’s monologue with Martin Short and John Mulaney
Steve Martin handled the opening monologue, joined by Martin Short and John Mulaney. The bit treated Martin as the show’s unofficial host, an apt joke for a program that has relied on him repeatedly across the decades. The packed celebrity audience became material in its own right, while Mulaney’s appearance acknowledged the extraordinary concentration of former hosts, writers and performers in Studio 8H.
3. “The Lawrence Welk Show”
Fred Armisen revived his Lawrence Welk-style host, and Kristen Wiig returned as the unsettling Dooneese Maharelle. Ana Gasteyer and Scarlett Johansson played additional Maharelle sisters, Kim Kardashian joined the singing lineup, and Will Ferrell returned as Robert Goulet.
The sketch delivered the familiar Dooneese formula: wholesome musical-variety presentation colliding with grotesque details, including the character’s tiny hands and deliberately disturbing appearance. It was straightforward nostalgia, but the multi-generation casting made the old format feel like an anniversary event rather than a routine rerun.
4. “Black Jeopardy”
Kenan Thompson hosted a new edition of “Black Jeopardy,” with Leslie Jones as Sharice and Tracy Morgan as Darius. Eddie Murphy appeared as a version of Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock briefly took over the hosting role, and Tom Hanks returned as Doug.
Eddie Murphy’s Tracy Morgan impression was the main nostalgia engine, while Hanks’ Doug supplied the recurring punchline. The sketch worked because its structure was instantly legible: viewers did not need an explanation of the game-show parody before the reunion could begin. It also created one of the evening’s clearest collisions between SNL generations, pairing a current regular and long-serving cast member with two major alumni and a familiar guest character.
Why it belongs near the top: “Black Jeopardy” is arguably the safest first recommendation for viewers deciding which clips to seek out. It has a recognizable format, a concentrated cast of returning talent, and jokes that depend on the performers’ histories without becoming an archival exercise.
5. The physical-comedy clip package
Emma Stone introduced a montage devoted to physical comedy. Molly Shannon interrupted as Sally O’Malley, and the package revisited pratfalls and slapstick associated with performers including Chevy Chase, Chris Farley and Shannon’s Mary Katherine Gallagher.
This was one of the special’s clearest traditional clip-show sections. Its purpose was not to build a new narrative but to remind viewers how much of SNL‘s identity has been expressed through bodies moving badly, dramatically or unexpectedly. The interruption by Sally O’Malley kept the package inside the live-show format.
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6. “Domingo: Vow Renewal”
Marcello Hernández’s Domingo returned during a wedding-vow-renewal ceremony. Sabrina Carpenter, Sarah Sherman, Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner performed an intentionally off-key song about monogamy before Domingo disrupted the celebration. Andy Samberg, Bowen Yang, Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney and Pedro Pascal also appeared, while Pascal and Bad Bunny played Domingo’s brothers.
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- 12 DVDs of the best episodes from Seasons 1-5. Plus a 28-Page Collector’s Book telling the story of the show and cast
- 33 episodes with the original groundbreaking, irreverent, hilarious cast. Plus rare footage of the cast, including screen tests and interviews
- All-time classic sketches including “Land Shark,” “Word Association,” “The Killer Bees,” “Super Bass-o-Matic,” “Weekend Update,” and so many more
- Iconic characters including Coneheads, Samurai, Emily Litella, Chevy Chase as President Ford, Shower Mike, The Blues Brothers, Baba Wawa, and more! You'll also recieve special episodes including Chevy Chase's return to SNL with music icon Billy Joel, plus the historic 100th episode!
- Guest Hosts include George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, and more
This was the most direct connection to the show’s recent viral identity. Carpenter, who had already opened the special with Simon, was willing to parody her own polished pop-star image, and the sketch surrounded a current recurring character with alumni and high-profile guests. It is the anniversary special’s most obvious current-era crowd-pleaser and one of its most immediately shareable segments.
7. “Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey”
Jack Handey’s short, philosophical observations returned in an intentionally restrained segment. The material turned the passage of 50 years into a joke about money and memory, with archival audio associated with Phil Hartman adding another layer of historical texture.
After the crowded “Domingo” reunion, the quietness was part of the point. The sketch reminded viewers that the show’s archive includes not only loud characters and famous catchphrases but also compact comic voices that could make an anniversary feel reflective without becoming solemn.
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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler revived the chemistry of their Weekend Update years by taking questions from the celebrity-filled audience. The participants included Quinta Brunson, Ryan Reynolds, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Adam Driver, Cher, Keith Richards, Bad Bunny, Seth Meyers, Ray Romano, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jason Momoa, Peyton Manning, Fred Armisen, Jon Hamm, Nate Bargatze and Zach Galifianakis.
This was less a conventional sketch than a carefully managed parade of celebrity chaos. Fey and Poehler functioned as hosts within a special that had no single traditional host, while the audience became a timeline of the show’s cultural reach. The segment’s value was cumulative: each appearance reinforced how many different entertainment worlds have intersected with SNL.
9. Digital Short: “Anxiety”
Andy Samberg and Bowen Yang led a new digital short about the anxiety shared by generations of SNL performers. Chris Parnell and Sarah Sherman appeared, and Molly Shannon and Ana Gasteyer returned as NPR-style hosts associated with “Schweddy Balls.”
The premise gave the anniversary a self-deprecating thesis: even the legends were nervous. It also connected Samberg’s digital-short legacy to the current cast’s pre-taped sensibility. Among the evening’s new pieces, “Anxiety” is one of the clearest examples of the special acknowledging how intimidating it is to perform live on the most famous weekly comedy stage in the country.
10. Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard perform “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Introduced by Aubrey Plaza, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard performed “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The performance served as a tribute to both Prince and Sinéad O’Connor, whose connections to SNL history were part of the context surrounding the song.
It was one of the night’s more openly reverent musical moments, contrasting with the comic reunion pieces and giving the anniversary a way to remember artists whose influence extended well beyond the show’s regular cast.
11. The Weekend Update reunion
Colin Jost and Michael Che anchored the anniversary edition of Weekend Update. Cecily Strong returned as The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party; Bobby Moynihan revived Drunk Uncle; Seth Meyers briefly took over the desk; and Vanessa Bayer and Fred Armisen appeared as Lorne Michaels’ childhood friends. Bill Murray also returned to rank the show’s Weekend Update anchors.
This was one of the most successful uses of archival memory because each returning character arrived with a clear comic identity. The desk itself became a timeline, with current anchors sharing space with former anchors and recurring guests. Murray’s ranking bit turned the succession of Update personalities into the subject of the joke rather than merely a parade of cameos.
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12. “Close Encounter 50th”
Kate McKinnon reprised Miss Rafferty, joined by Pedro Pascal and Woody Harrelson as fellow alien-abduction storytellers. Jon Hamm and Aidy Bryant were part of the framing, and Meryl Streep appeared as Miss Rafferty’s equally crude mother. Streep had never previously appeared on Saturday Night Live, making her entrance one of the night’s most consequential surprises.
The sketch combined continuity and novelty especially well. McKinnon’s established character gave the audience a familiar starting point, while Streep’s debut supplied the event-level surprise. Viewers who enjoyed the character may also encounter the officially licensed Ms. Rafferty Funko Pop, an approximately 3.5-inch SNL 50th-anniversary figure. Treat it as a collectible-search option rather than a guarantee of current Amazon stock.
13. “Chad in 8H”
Laraine Newman returned to Studio 8H to reminisce about being an original Not Ready for Primetime Player, only to encounter Pete Davidson’s apathetic Chad working as the stagehand. Mikey Day also appeared.
The pre-taped piece was quieter than the major live sketches and gave Newman a direct connection to the building’s history. Chad’s indifference created a comic counterweight to the reverence surrounding the anniversary: even an emotional journey into SNL‘s origins could be met with a shrug.
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Adam Sandler performed a guitar-led anniversary song introduced by Jack Nicholson. The lyrics referenced Lorne Michaels, Steven Spielberg and backstage lore, while also remembering deceased cast members including Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald.
Sandler became visibly emotional as the performance moved from jokes toward a sincere tribute. This was the special’s emotional center and the clearest reminder that the show’s history is not only a collection of characters and impressions. It is also a record of friendships, losses and performers who shaped the program but could not return for the reunion.
For viewers who want the single moment that best explains why the anniversary mattered, Sandler’s “50 Years” is the strongest choice—even though it is not the funniest segment.
15. John Mulaney’s “New York 50th Musical”
John Mulaney led a large musical-comedy tour through New York City across different decades. Pete Davidson and David Spade were central participants, with appearances from Maya Rudolph, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nathan Lane, Adam Driver, Paul Rudd, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Jonas and Paul Shaffer, among many others.
The segment expanded the New York musical format Mulaney had developed on regular episodes. Instead of treating New York merely as the location of SNL, it made the city a character: theatrical, crowded, grimy, historically layered and inseparable from the show’s identity. It was also the special’s largest ensemble comedy number.
16. The commercial-parody montage
Alec Baldwin introduced a package of SNL commercial parodies under the framing joke that he was “Alex Baldwin.” The package revisited fake advertisements from across the show’s history, while the live introduction added new fake products before the archival clips began.
The segment showed why commercial parodies are particularly useful in an anniversary format. Each one can be understood quickly, but together they reveal how the show’s targets and comic sensibility have changed over five decades.
17. “Bronx Beat” and “Coffee Talk”
Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph returned as Betty Caruso and Jodi Deitz from “Bronx Beat.” Mike Myers joined them as Coffee Talk’s Linda Richman, and Miles Teller appeared in the interview portion. The mash-up paired two recurring talk-show parodies from different eras.
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18. Lil Wayne and The Roots
Dave Chappelle introduced Lil Wayne and The Roots, who performed a medley including “Uproar,” “Lollipop,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Mrs. Officer” and “A Milli.” The performance broadened the anniversary’s musical range and gave the later part of the broadcast a concert-like burst of energy.
19. “In Memoriam” for problematic sketches
Tom Hanks introduced what appeared to be a conventional memorial package. Instead, the special mourned outdated or canceled SNL material, grouping clips around ethnic stereotypes, sexual harassment, body shaming, blackface and other content that would be unacceptable by current standards.
This was not an “in memoriam” for deceased cast members. It was a satirical memorial for sketches and comic assumptions that aged badly. The package was one of the anniversary’s most pointed ideas because it refused to treat the archive as automatically harmless. Celebrating 50 years also meant acknowledging the material that cannot be replayed without historical context or criticism.
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20. “Debbie Downer: Bar”
Rachel Dratch revived Debbie Downer in a bar with Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, Ayo Edebiri and Robert De Niro. Debbie’s relentless pessimism poisoned what was meant to be a celebratory drink, while the appearance recalled Dratch and Fallon’s famous “Debbie Downer: Disney World” breaking incident.
The sketch had a simple anniversary advantage: it brought back a classic character and attached the revival to a specific piece of SNL performance history. It is a dependable recommendation for viewers who prefer character comedy to a cameo-heavy spectacle.
21. “Scared Straight”
Kenan Thompson and Eddie Murphy played intimidating ex-convicts trying to frighten a group of youths played by Mikey Day, Marcello Hernández and Michael Longfellow. Will Ferrell appeared as Big Red, with Jason Sudeikis also associated with the sketch in the event’s cast listings.
The premise brought Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell’s outsized comic personas into a current-cast setting. Its appeal came from that collision: the alumni supplied immediate star power, while the newer performers kept the sketch connected to the present-day ensemble.
22. “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Garrett Morris introduced Tom Schiller’s 1978 short film “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” featuring John Belushi. The archival film created a bittersweet link to the original cast and allowed Morris—the oldest returning former cast member present—to introduce a piece from the earliest years of the show.
Placed late in the broadcast, the film functioned as a genuine look backward rather than another reunion sketch. Its inclusion acknowledged that some of the most important people in SNL‘s history could only return through recorded work.
23. Paul McCartney’s Abbey Road medley
Martin Short introduced Paul McCartney, who closed the musical portion with “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End,” the concluding medley from the Beatles’ Abbey Road.
It was the special’s most conventionally grand musical finale: a globally recognizable performer, a sequence associated with an iconic album, and lyrics that naturally suited an anniversary built around endurance and continuity.
24. The star-packed goodnights
Martin Short led the goodnights as current and former cast members, hosts, musical guests and celebrity cameos crowded the stage. The assembled performers applauded Lorne Michaels, completing a night that repeatedly treated the show’s creator and producer as the person connecting its different eras.
The best sketches and moments, ranked
This is an editorial ranking rather than an official list. It weighs comic payoff, cross-generational chemistry, surprise, emotional impact and how well each segment represents the special as a whole.
- “Black Jeopardy” — The strongest collision of SNL generations, anchored by Eddie Murphy’s Tracy Morgan impression and Tom Hanks’ Doug.
- “Domingo: Vow Renewal” — The most current and instantly shareable character revival, with Sabrina Carpenter and a large alumni-and-guest cast.
- “Close Encounter 50th” — The best surprise cameo: Meryl Streep entering Kate McKinnon’s established Miss Rafferty world.
- Weekend Update reunion — The deepest concentration of returning characters and desk history.
- Digital Short: “Anxiety” — The best modern-format piece and the most concise joke about the pressure of performing on SNL.
- “Scared Straight” — Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell elevate a current-cast setup.
- “Debbie Downer: Bar” — A classic character revival with a built-in callback to Fallon and Dratch’s earlier breaking incident.
- Adam Sandler’s “50 Years” — The emotional centerpiece and the night’s most sincere tribute.
- “New York 50th Musical” — The most ambitious ensemble number and a celebration of the show’s New York home.
- “In Memoriam” — The sharpest historical self-critique, because it confronts the archive’s worst material instead of presenting an uncomplicated celebration.
Guest stars and major cameos
Peacock’s listed returning former cast members included Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell and Will Forte.
The broader guest list included Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Woody Harrelson, Alec Baldwin, Ana Gasteyer, Billy Crystal, Cher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Leslie Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, Rachel Dratch and Rev. Al Sharpton.
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Music performed on the special
| Performer | Song or set | Role in the evening |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter | “Homeward Bound” | Opening bridge between 1976 and the present |
| Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard | “Nothing Compares 2 U” | Tribute connected to Prince and Sinéad O’Connor |
| Lil Wayne and The Roots | “Uproar,” “Lollipop,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Mrs. Officer” and “A Milli” | Late-show hip-hop medley |
| Paul McCartney | “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End” | Abbey Road medley closing the musical portion |
Do not confuse the anniversary special with SNL50: The Homecoming Concert or the documentary Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music. They are related anniversary programs, but they are separate titles.
Where to watch the complete special
The complete special is listed in Peacock’s catalog as Saturday Night Live Season 50, Episode 13, with a 152-minute runtime. Readers looking to watch SNL50 on Peacock should check the current catalog entry for regional access, subscription requirements, pricing and the exact version available. Those details are subject to change, particularly outside the United States.
Peacock’s official recap materials also identify individual clips, including the monologue, “Black Jeopardy,” “Domingo,” Weekend Update, “Anxiety,” “Close Encounter,” “Debbie Downer,” “Scared Straight,” Sandler’s song and the goodnights. Individual clip availability may differ from access to the full episode.
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The special’s central strength is its format. By behaving like a supersized live episode, it gave the current cast a role and allowed returning performers to do more than stand in a montage. “Black Jeopardy,” “Domingo,” “Close Encounter” and Weekend Update all worked because recognizable characters were rebuilt around new combinations.
The event also understood that nostalgia works best when it has a present-tense purpose. Meryl Streep’s debut was not just a famous person waving from the audience; it became part of a sketch. Sabrina Carpenter did not merely appear as a musical guest; she opened the show and then sent up her pop persona in “Domingo.” The archival packages were most effective when they added context, as with the physical-comedy montage and the satirical “In Memoriam.”
The trade-off was scale. Several segments were crowded or overextended, and the live production showed occasional technical roughness, including audio problems during “Bronx Beat” and “Coffee Talk.” But those imperfections also made the broadcast feel like a live television event rather than a perfectly controlled anniversary compilation.
Its reception reflected that balance. The special reached nearly 15 million viewers when Peacock streaming figures were included, making it NBC’s most-watched primetime entertainment telecast in five years, according to Associated Press reporting. Contemporary responses generally praised the density of cameos, the episode-like structure and the emotional Sandler and McCartney performances, while noting that some pieces ran long.
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A companion for viewers who want more history
If the recap leaves you wanting a physical overview of the program’s five decades, PEOPLE Saturday Night Live: 50 Years of SNL is a relevant companion rather than a recording of the anniversary special. The 96-page paperback collector’s edition, published January 24, 2025, covers the show’s history, recurring segments, major cast members and notable sketches. Availability and seller information should be checked before purchase.
Fans looking for official memorabilia can also investigate the NBCUniversal Shop’s SNL50 merchandise, including Season 50 commemorative apparel, hats, pins, stickers and home goods. No affiliate availability or terms are assumed here; treat the shop as an official merchandise destination and verify current inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is SNL50: The Anniversary Special?
Peacock lists the complete special at 152 minutes. NBC originally scheduled a three-hour broadcast, while contemporary coverage described the live event as roughly three and a half hours, so runtime presentation may vary by platform or listing.
What is the best sketch in SNL50?
“Black Jeopardy” is the strongest all-around recommendation because it combines Kenan Thompson, Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock and Tom Hanks in a familiar recurring format. “Domingo: Vow Renewal” is the best choice for current-era viral comedy, and “Close Encounter 50th” has the most notable surprise cameo with Meryl Streep.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWho performed music on the SNL 50th-anniversary special?
Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter performed “Homeward Bound”; Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard performed “Nothing Compares 2 U”; Lil Wayne and The Roots performed a medley; and Paul McCartney performed an Abbey Road medley of “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”
Is SNL50: The Anniversary Special the same as the SNL50 Homecoming Concert?
No. SNL50: The Anniversary Special, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert and Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music are separate anniversary programs.
Where can I watch SNL50?
The complete special is listed on Peacock as Saturday Night Live Season 50, Episode 13. Check Peacock for current regional availability, pricing and plan requirements before watching.
The Bottom Line
SNL50: The Anniversary Special succeeds because it turns 50 years of television history into a functioning live episode. The best material—“Black Jeopardy,” “Domingo: Vow Renewal,” “Close Encounter 50th,” the Weekend Update reunion and “Anxiety”—uses nostalgia as a setup for new combinations. Sandler’s “50 Years” supplies the heart, “In Memoriam” supplies the self-criticism, and McCartney’s finale supplies the scale. It is overstuffed by design, occasionally rough in execution, and most rewarding when the legends stop posing for a reunion photo and start playing together.
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