SNL 50: Steve Martin and John Mulaney Bring the Jokes, Murder and More to Must-See Monologue

Only winning jokes in this building.

After Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon kicked off SNL 50: An Anniversary Special with a performance of “Homeward Bound”—which Paul performed on the show with George Harrison back in 1976—Steve Martin took the stage to deliver Saturday Night Live‘s trademark monologue. And during his rousing set, he was joined by BFF Martin Short and John Mulaney. 

Steve, who first hosted the show in season two, remarked on the star-studded audience before stressing that the “heart and soul” of SNL is its writing staff—before the show cut to a group of past and present writers standing outside 30 Rockefeller Center in the rain. Cue John, who as a former writer gave his unfiltered thoughts on the very many celebrities to take the stage at the iconic studio 8H for their turn as host.

“We writers really appreciated that tribute, but I believe that the heart and soul of this show is the celebrity hosts, many of whom are in this room tonight,” he told Steve. “You know, as I look around, he continued I see some of the most difficult people in my entire life.”