Adam Sandler’s song at SNL50: The Anniversary Special turned a celebration of five decades of Saturday Night Live into a remembrance of people who were gone. Its tribute to former castmates and friends—including Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald—gave the milestone show an unexpectedly elegiac moment.
What Adam Sandler did at SNL50
The three-hour SNL50: The Anniversary Special aired on February 16, 2025, marking the show’s 50th anniversary. NBCUniversal described it as the centerpiece of a broader anniversary weekend. Sandler performed a song looking back at the show’s history; the Television Academy lists the segment as “Adam Sandler’s Song: 50 Years.”
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Rather than keeping the song to a cheerful roll call of the show’s legacy, Sandler also remembered people from its past who had died. The Associated Press reported that the closing lyric included: “six years of our boy Farley, five of our buddy Norm.”
Whom the song remembered
The Associated Press recap names Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald, both Sandler’s friends and former SNL castmates, alongside Gilda Radner, Jan Hooks, and Phil Hartman. The tribute connected the show’s long history not only to its famous sketches and performers, but also to the people no longer there to share its anniversary.
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Why the moment felt so sad
The sadness came from the contrast: a landmark anniversary show celebrated a comedy institution, while Sandler’s song made its losses personal. The emotional effect is an interpretation of that juxtaposition, not a measured claim about how every viewer responded. Peacock’s official recap describes the performance as heartfelt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch the special
Peacock’s recap identifies the service as a place to stream the special. Catalog access can change, so check Peacock in your territory for current availability.
Rank #2
- 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
Sources: Associated Press recap; Peacock recap; NBCUniversal anniversary context; Television Academy listing; Saturday Night Live’s official channel.
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Rank #4
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