Martin Short Closes Out SNL Special with Jam-Packed Stage and Lorne Michaels Tribute
2 hr 47 min ago
With the Studio 8H stage so full of stars viewers would be hard-pressed to name all the celebrities present, Martin Short brought the SNL50: The Anniversary Special to a close on Feb. 16.
After naming the original cast members present, Short then turned to “the man who made our dreams come true, the one and only, Lorne Michaels” for a brief tribute.
Paul McCartney Sings the Beatles’ Hits During SNL50
2 hr 51 min ago
Paul McCartney revisited 1969’s Abbey Road to help close out the evening and the SNL50 anniversary special.
Of The Beatles tracks McCartney and his backing band performed were “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”
Garrett Morris, 88, Jokes He Had ‘No Idea’ He’d Be ‘Required to Do So Many Reunion Shows’
3 hr 2 min ago
Garrett Morris, one of Saturday Night Live‘s original cast members, appeared onstage briefly to share an old video sketch, “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
While introducing the clip, Morris, 88, joked, “I had no idea, ya’ll, that I would be required to do so many reunion shows.”
In the video, John Belushi shared humorous predictions for the futures of the original cast members and how they’d pass on.
The first SNL stars were Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Morris, Jane Curtin, John Belushi and Laraine Newman.
Michael Longfellow, Marcello Hernandez and Mikey Day Get Scared Straight by Eddie Murphy and Keenan Thompson
3 hr 10 min ago
Don’t let Eddie Murphy and Keenan Thompson catch you shoplifting.
Murphy and Thompson delivered some Harry Potter-themed fear-mongering in a “Scared Straight” sketch during the SNL special episode on Sunday.
The comedians played two inmates brought in by police officer Jason Sudeikis to confront shoplifters Michael Longfellow, Marcello Hernandez and Mikey Day.
“It starts with shoplifting, guess where it ends?” Thompson said, with Murphy suggesting, “Genocide.”
Will Ferrell also came out toward the end of the sketch, wearing extremely short shorts as prisoner “Big Red” and delivering threats based on Elf.
Debbie Downer Laments Bird Flu, Gout, Microplastics
3 hr 19 min ago
Rachel Dratch has seen all the negative, fear-mongering headlines in 2025 — and she’s ready to spread the bad news as Debbie Downer.
Over 20 years after she first debuted the character, Dratch was back as Debbie and feeling super negative while pouring drinks at SNL50 for Drew Barrymore, Ayo Edebiri and Jimmy Fallon.
Among her gripes? The rampant bird flu’s effect on egg prices, her own gout struggle and microplastics.
Also during the sketch, Robert De Niro nearly choked Debbie — but only after Barrymore got a little too close to the actor (a self-jab about Barrymore’s personal space issues).
Lil Wayne Gets Support from The Roots for Career-Spanning Medley After Super Bowl Disappointment
3 hr 32 min ago
Lil Wayne pulled together a medley of some of his biggest hits during his SNL50: The Anniversary Special performance with The Roots.
Kicking off with “Uproar,” the rapper then segued into “Lollipop,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Mrs. Officer,” and, finally, “A Milli.”
The performance comes after Lil Wayne very publicly voiced his disappointment after not being chosen as the Super Bowl 2025 halftime performer as a New Orleans native. The rapper previously explained that it “made me feel like s— not getting this opportunity.”
Bronx Beat Meets Coffee Talk, with Mike Meyers Making His SNL Return
3 hr 44 min ago
Two of Saturday Night Live‘s most iconic faux talk shows got a reboot for SNL50: Bronx Beat and Coffee Talk.
Amy Poehler’s Betty Caruso and Maya Rudolph’s Jodi Deitz celebrated “sweater weather” and brought up Miles Teller from the audience for a sit-down on their Bronx Beat, first.
Grilling Teller about his acting career, they discovered his turn as Rooster in Top Gun: Maverick.
“Look at you little cutie, Top Gun 2. . .. I’m proud of you,” Rudolph told Teller, increasingly annoyed that the pair keep referring to the movie as Top Gun 2.
Mike Meyers then came out as Linda Richman from his recurring sketch, Coffee Talk, frequently becoming “verklempt” while chatting with Betty and Jodi.
John Mulaney’s Latest SNL Musical Brings Back Jason Sudeikis, David Spade, Maya Rudolph and Will Forte
3 hr 59 min ago
John Mulaney honored New York City’s dark times and changes through a decades-spanning musical, starring countless former cast members during the SNL 50th special on Feb. 16.
The sketch brought out SNL alum including Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis, David Spade, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte and Taran Killam to sing New York-ified versions of songs from shows like Les Miserables, Fame and Hamilton.
Celebrity guest performers included Adam Driver (dressed as a hot dog!), Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas and Scarlett Johansson.
Nathan Lane even sang a tweaked version of his Lion King character Timon’s “Hakuna Matata” — this time, about cocaine.
Adam Sandler Sings Original Song About 50 Years of SNL
4 hr 13 min ago
Adam Sandler whipped out his guitar — following an introduction by Jack Nicholson — to perform an original song about five decades of SNL.
The lyrics included plenty of behind-the-scenes tidbits, including “50 years of prank calling some New York Magazine critic,” “50 years of cast members saying I’m not getting on enough” and “50 years of wondering who’s gonna take over the show when Lorne retires.”
Sandler then highlighted the tenures of some of the cast members, getting a little emotional as he sang about Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald.
“50 years of the best times of our lives,” Sandler sang in conclusion.
Pete Davidson’s Chad Is ‘Okay’ as Laraine Newman Takes a Walk Down Memory Lane
4 hr 22 min ago
Pete Davidson’s man of few words, Chad, is back — and still doesn’t have much to say.
Davidson reprised the character as iconic cast member Laraine Newman returned to Studio 8H to reflect on the early days of SNL.
While Newman explored the studio and got nostalgic, Chad didn’t offer truly any commentary — and nearly killed Newman when trying to find the spotlight.
Meryl Streep Is Kate McKinnon’s Alien Abductee’s Mom — and Everyone Breaks
4 hr 24 min ago
As is routine with Kate McKinnon’s alien abductee sketches, no one could keep a straight face throughout the entire questioning.
This time, McKinnon’s fellow abductees were portrayed by Pedro Pascal and Woody Harrelson, who both chuckled at points throughout as they were questioned by Jon Hamm and Aidy Bryant.
Eventually, McKinnon’s character’s mom joined as well — played by Meryl Streep — in the same Hawaiian shirt and acid-washed jeans as her onscreen daughter. Streep even couldn’t help but laugh, chuckling as her and McKinnon’s abductee reflected on a sexual encounter in a church.
Read more here.
Bill Murray Ranks Weekend Update‘s Best Anchors
4 hr 29 min ago
Bill Murray also stopped by Weekend Update to reminisce about past anchors — and deliver a hilarious (yet harsh) ranking.
“In honor of Black History Month, I wanna start by ranking the African American Weekend Update anchors,” Murray said, with Michael Che getting number one “by default.”
He then listed the other anchors “from worst to best,” with the ranking as follows:
- 10: Colin Quinn
- 9: Kevin Nealon
- 8: Dennis Miller
- 7: Seth Meyers
- 6: Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon
- 5: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
- 4: Chevy Chase
- 3: Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd
- 2: Norm Macdonald
- 1: Brian Doyle-Murray (Murray’s brother, who did not actually ever host Weekend Update)
Seth Meyers Brings Out Lorne Michaels’ Best Friends from Growing Up: Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer
4 hr 34 min ago
Former Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers popped into Weekend Update to introduce Lorne Michaels’ best friends from growing up, played by Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer.
As usual, the pair had nothing but great things to say about their pal — or did they? After delivering platitudes, they both whispered some critiques, including that Michaels “can be a little rude” and loves name-dropping.
Drunk Uncle and Girl at a Party Are Expecting a Baby Together!
4 hr 34 min ago
The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation with at a Party and Drunk Uncle will soon be proud parents.
The recurring Weekend Update guests, played by Cecily Strong and Bobby Moynihan, respectively, both stopped by the 50th segment — with Strong’s “Girl” expecting.
“Wow, you just assume I’m pregnant just because I have a baby inside of me?” Strong’s “Girl” said, offended, while lamenting bringing “a baby into this world” and asking, “Can I do an Elon salute really quick?”
She then revealed her baby’s paternity: Drunk Uncle.
“Typical Hollywood couple,” Moynihan’s Drunk Uncle explained, “Beautiful woman in her 30s, drunk idiot in her 70s.”
Michael Che and Colin Jost Host Weekend Update and Honor Norm Macdonald
4 hr 34 min ago
Michael Che and Colin Jost, Weekend Update‘s longest-running co-anchors, kicked off the 50th anniversary version of the segment.
“SNL has won 95 Emmys, one Grammy, three Peabodies and has over 100 Tonys on the crew,” Che joked. “Let’s actually take a moment to thank those hardworking crew guys. And also I’d like to congratulate them all on their Jan. 6 pardon.”
Che also honored late Weekend Update anchor Norm Macdonald, calling him, “Obviously one of my heroes.”
Aubrey Plaza Introduces Miley Cyrus’ Tribute to Sinéad O’Connor
4 hr 58 min ago
Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance following her husband Jeff Baena’s death on Jan. 3 to introduce Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s tribute to Sinéad O’Connor during SNL50.
Cyrus and Howard dueted on “Nothing Compares 2 U,” O’Connor’s iconic single written by Prince.
O’Connor’s history with SNL is well-known: she was performing “War” during an October 1992 appearance as the show’s musical guest when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II. The act was controversial and reportedly earned her a ban from the series, though following her 2023 death, Lorne Michaels said he “admired” O’Connor’s “bravery.”
Andy Samberg and Bown Yang Play Musical Tribute to SNL‘s Anxiety
5 hr 6 min ago
Andy Samberg and Bowen Yang teamed up for an SNL50 digital short, and paid tribute to some of the storied sketch series castmembers’ key performance tool: anxiety.
As Yang lamented his nerves about attending the anniversary special, Samberg reassured him through an ’80s-tinged pop song with the chorus, “Every single person who ever worked at SNL had anxiety.”
The accompanying video featured several former cast members, like Molly Shannon and Ana Gasteyer.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Answer Questions from the Celebrity-Packed Audience
5 hr 9 min ago
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler helped the star-studded crowd at SNL50 get some air-time, and get out their best SNL questions during the bit.
Some of the “questions” were asked by Quinta Brunson, Tim Meadows, Keith Richards, Jon Hamm, Seth Meyers, Peyton Manning and Jon Lovitz.
Julia Louis Dreyfus did a bit with her “service dog” — which she utilized to hit on Adam Driver — and Cher affirmed her self-confidence.
Most shockingly, Ryan Reynolds seemed to poke fun at his and Blake Lively’s legal drama. “Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?” Poehler and Fey asked.
In response, Reynolds quipped, ” Great, why what have you heard?”
Martin Short and Molly Shannon Make Out as Sabrina Carpenter Joins Latest Domingo Sketch
5 hr 13 min ago
Domingo is back — and he has brothers!
It’s been less than a year since Marcello Hernandez first appeared as Latin lover Domingo on SNL, but the character earned a spot in the 50th anniversary special.
This time, Kelsey and Matt were renewing their vows, with Molly Shannon as a drunken mother of the bride and Martin Short as Kelsey’s dad.
The pair did a little making out, before introducing Kelsey’s maid of honor: Sabrina Carpenter (her character “couldn’t make it to the wedding because I was unfortunately in prison”).
Joined by the other bridesmaids, they sang a version of Wicked‘s “Defying Gravity,” with tweaked lyrics about Kelsey’s new commitment to commitment.
“She swears she’s gonna try monogamy,” sang Carpenter.
Unfortunately, the bridesmaids then switched to a version of “You Belong with Me” about Kelsey getting back with Domingo.
Luckily, Matt’s groomsmen were there to support him: Andy Samberg, Bowen Yang, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney sang their own version of “Espresso.”
“What even is this song?” joked Carpenter, before joining in — and welcoming in Matt’s extramarital lover Renaldo, played by Pedro Pascal.
Renaldo is Domingo’s brother — as is Santiago, played by Bad Bunny.
Molly Shannon Gets Back in Costume as Sally O’Malley (and Does the Kicking and Stretching)
5 hr 36 min ago
Molly Shannon helped Emma Stone pay tribute to the history of physical comedy on the series by getting into costume as her beloved Sally O’Malley.
“My name is Sally O’Malley, I’m proud to say I’m 50 years old, just like Saturday Night Live,” Shannon said, wearing Sally’s signature red ensemble.
After doing some kicking and stretching together, Shannon and Stone introduced a compilation of hilarious and over-the-top physical stunts on SNL.
Eddie Murphy Plays Tracy Morgan — Next to Tracy Morgan — in ‘Black Jeopardy‘ Sketch
5 hr 39 min ago
Leslie Jones couldn’t hold it together as Eddie Murphy portrayed Tracy Morgan alongside … Tracy Morgan … for another “Black Jeopardy” sketch.
Jones, Morgan and Murphy all appeared as contestants on the fictional game show, with Keenan Thompson returning as host Darnell.
At one point, Thompson remarked that Morgan’s character Darius looked like Murphy’s Morgan. The real Morgan quipped back, “I don’t see it.”
The Jeopardy contestants received a special guest clue from Chris Rock, who asked them to identify a picture of Dana Carvey as the Church Lady.
To answer, Murphy left the stage to make room for Tom Hanks as Doug, a character he played in a previous version of “Black Jeopardy.”
“I heard a fellow could win some money here,” said Hanks.
Kim Kardashian Appears Alongside Scarlett Johansson for Sketch with Kristen Wiig Reprising Dooneese Character
5 hr 50 min ago
Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansson became part of the beloved Maharelle Sisters in the first sketch during SNL‘s 50th anniversary special.
The sketch, another edition of The Lawrence Welk Show spoofs that first debuted during a 2008 episode, kicked off with Fred Armisen back as Welk.
Will Ferrell returned as singer Robert Goulet, this time with the Maharelle Sisters providing him back-up vocals as he performed on Welk’s show.
As always, Kristen Wiig earned laughs as the fourth Maharelle sister, Dooneese, who sports a large forehead, baby doll hands and overall weird behavior.
A highlight of the sketch came when Dooneese played the drums on Kardashian’s character Holly’s buttox.
Steve Martin Delivers Opening Monologue for SNL Special — Jokes It’s ‘the Weakest Part of the Show’
5 hr 58 min ago
“Good evening and welcome to the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. I’m Steve Martin, Saturday Night Live’s newest diversity hire.”
Martin, a 16-time host of the sketch comedy series, had the honor of doing the anniversary special’s opening monologue — which he said Lorne Michaels only tapped him for “a few days ago.”
“SNL turned 50 years old this year and I turned 79, but I feel like I’m 65. Which is also not good,” joked Martin. “Seriously, I do not mind getting older. Do you think these hearing aids make my ass look smaller?”
Then, Martin added a “fun fact”: “A person born during the first season of SNL, today, could be easily dead of natural causes.”
Martin called the opening monologue “traditionally, the weakest part of the show.” Said the actor, “Yet the monologue is like a rent-controlled tenant, it’s not going anywhere, even though it stinks.”
He was then joined by John Mulaney onstage, who spoke about the show’s celebrity hosts, joking, “I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life . . . 894 people have hosted SNL, and only two of them have committed murder.”
Then Martin Short — “the only Canadian who wasn’t in Schitt’s Creek” — joined his longtime collaborator, admitting, “I thought we were hosting together.” Unfortunately, Short was taken away by ICE agents.
Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon Kick Off SNL‘s 50th Anniversary Special
6 hr 11 min ago
Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon get the festivities started in Studio 8H with an acoustic, sentimental version of the latter’s Simon & Garfunkel song “Homeward Bound” on Sunday night.
After introducing each other, Simon told the audience, “I sang this song with George Harrison on Saturday Night Live in 1976.”
Joked Carpenter in response, “I was not born then, and neither were my parents.”
“I’m glad they’re getting a chance to hear it tonight,” Simon quipped back, before the pair launched into their duet.
Kristen Wiig Reveals Her SNL Character That People Approach Her About the Most
6 hr 18 min ago
Kristen Wiig is back at Studio 8H, over a decade after leaving the show, but says she still gets approach about one of her most-iconic SNL characters.
So which recurring character is it? “Maybe Target lady,” she said during the preshow livestream with Amelia Dimoldenberg.
More often than not, though, when Wiig is approached, “People usually tell me I look like Kristen Wiig,” she said.
SNL Cast Member Marcello Hernandez Brings His Mom for Anniversary Special
6 hr 25 min ago
Marcello Hernandez, current SNL cast member, has his mom by his side for the sketch comedy series’ big night.
While chatting with PEOPLE on the red carpet ahead of the three-hour special, Hernandez’s mom Isabel Cancela (who “loves PEOPLE” the actor says) calls the evening “incredible.”
“It’s so many talented people, and it’s fantastic,” says Cancela. “I’m really happy to be here, for me it’s like a dream come true.”
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Hit SNL50 Red Carpet amid Ongoing Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
6 hr 30 min ago
Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds returned to the red carpet for Saturday Night Live’s big event, Feb. 16, amid their ongoing legal drama with her It Ends with Us director and costar Justin Baldoni.
The legal dispute between the It Ends with Us costars began in December 2024, when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, 41, accusing him of misconduct during the film’s production. She also alleged that Baldoni and his associates engaged in a retaliatory smear campaign designed to “destroy” her reputation when she spoke up. Baldoni has denied all claims against him.
In January, Baldoni responded with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloan’s PR firm alleging several claims, including civil extortion and defamation. The case, Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al., is scheduled to go to trial on March 9, 2026.
Read more here.
Chris Rock Brings His Daughter to SNL50
6 hr 40 min ago
Chris Rock had the perfect date for Sunday’s SNL50 anniversary special: his daughter Zahra Rock.
The SNL alum, who was celebrated by many of his former castmates on Saturday night, Feb. 15, for his 60th birthday, posed on the red carpet in N.Y.C. alongside Zahra, 20.
Chris is also dad to daughter Lola Rock, 22.
Pregnant Cecily Strong Returns to SNL 3 Years After Departure
6 hr 52 min ago
Saturday Night Live‘s longest-running female cast member is back at 30 Rock — with a baby on board.
Cecily Strong — who is expecting her first child with her fiancé, a man she has only identified as Jack — posed on the red carpet at for the 50th anniversary special on Sunday.
Strong appeared on SNL from 2012 to 2022.
Tracy Morgan Says He’s Grateful He ‘Survived’ to Be ‘a Part of’ SNL50
7 hours ago
Tracy Morgan is reflecting on the scary 2014 accident that almost took his life as he revisits the show that gave him his start.
“Lord, that I’m a part of this, that I survived that accident and I’m allowed to be here for this,” he said of participating in the Saturday Night Live special on Sunday during NBC’s preshow.
Morgan was involved in a near-fatal accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, when a Walmart truck crashed into his limousine from behind, and was in a coma for two weeks after the incident.
The actor was a cast member on SNL from 1996–2003.
Bad Bunny Thinks He Could ‘Definitely’ Be an SNL Cast Member — Except for One Reason
7 hr 4 min ago
Bad Bunny is following up his epic performances during the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert on Feb. 14 with an appearance at the anniversary special, Sunday. And though he’s hosted the sketch comedy series before, he’s not sure he’d want a full-time spot in the cast.
“I don’t like to work Saturdays — that’s the reason,” Bad Bunny told Amelia Dimoldenberg during the preshow livestream on SNL‘s Instagram. “But definitely, I could [be a cast member].”
Emma Stone Brings the Popcorn (Literally, It’s in Her Dress!) for SNL Special
7 hr 13 min ago
Emma Stone, a member of SNL‘s elite Five-Timers Club, hit the SNL50 red carpet alongside her husband Dave McCary (who used to work on the sketch comedy series) with popcorn in hand — literally.
Stone, still rocking a very short pixie cut, had a box of popcorn with her as she posed with McCary on the carpet, but also was wearing a red gown with pockets seemingly stuffed to the brim with the snack.
Read more here.
PEOPLE Is on the Red Carpet in N.Y.C.
7 hr 25 min ago
PEOPLE is chatting with all the SNL stars of past and present as they arrive in Rockefeller Plaza for the 50th anniversary special. We have reporters on the carpet and inside the three-hour show.
Who have we spotted so far? Saturday Night Live icons Amy Poehler and Chris Rock, as well as Abbott Elementary‘s Quinta Brunson and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The Stars Are Already Arriving for SNL50
8 hr 13 min ago
While the SNL50 anniversary special, of course, promises plenty of laughs, the big celebration is also assured to be a Hollywood who’s who.
Though the show doesn’t kick off for another two hours on Sunday, stars are already arriving to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Early red carpet walkers include Tina Fey, Peyton Manning and Garrett Morris.
See all the stars arriving here.
Read the full article here
