Paul McCartney, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul Simon, and More Take the Stage for SNL’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

This weekend marked a milestone for Saturday Night Live, as the legendary sketch comedy show commemorated its 50th anniversary. The festivities began on Friday, February 14, with SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, a star-studded live event held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The concert, aired on NBC, featured unforgettable performances, including David Byrne and Robyn teaming up for Dancing on My Own, as well as Lady Gaga and Andy Samberg delivering a comedic rendition of Dick in a Box, originally performed by The Lonely Island.

Following the concert, SNL50: The Anniversary Special aired as a three-hour extravaganza filled with musical acts, nostalgic monologues, and reimagined classic sketches. The celebration brought together legendary cast members and surprise celebrity guests for an unforgettable evening.

The show opened on the iconic Studio 8H stage with Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon performing a heartfelt duet of Simon & Garfunkel’s Homeward Bound. Reflecting on his past appearances, Simon remarked, "I sang this song with George Harrison on Saturday Night Live in 1976." In response, Carpenter quipped, "I was not born then, and neither were my parents." The duo then delivered the show’s famous opening line: "Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!"

Steve Martin followed with a comedic monologue before the special launched into a series of nostalgic sketches. Among the highlights was a hilarious revival of The Lawrence Welk Show, featuring Fred Armisen, Will Ferrell, and Kristen Wiig reprising her role as Dooneese, the quirky fourth sister in the Maharelle family. Meanwhile, Black Jeopardy returned with Keenan Thompson, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy (playing Tracy Morgan), Chris Rock, and Tom Hanks.

Sabrina Carpenter returned later for a fresh take on Domingo, an ongoing SNL sketch. Previously featuring Ariana Grande and Charli XCX, this version saw Chloe Fineman’s Kelsey and her bridesmaids heading to Manhattan for a showing of Wicked before renewing her vows. The parody transitioned from Defying Gravity into Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me, revealing Kelsey’s unresolved feelings for Domingo (Marcello Hernandez). However, the groom’s party—Samberg, Bowen Yang, Kyle Mooney, and Beck Bennett—had their own surprise twist, performing Espresso and exposing a love triangle involving Domingo’s older brother Ronaldo (Pedro Pascal). Bad Bunny made a surprise appearance as Santiago, yet another of Domingo’s handsome siblings.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler engaged in a comedic Q&A session with celebrity audience members. Superfan Quinta Brunson inquired about a 1993 episode in which Tim Meadows whispered to musical guest Sade. Meadows, who was present, humorously speculated, "I probably asked if she wanted to drink some Zima in my dressing room, play Mortal Kombat I, and watch the ‘new, cool’ Menendez trial." Meanwhile, Cher claimed she had "a lotta answers", and Keith Richards playfully asked if anyone had seen his missing scarf from 1988.

Andy Samberg and Bowen Yang delivered a pre-recorded New Jack Swing-style tribute to SNL’s legacy of neurotic cast members, featuring a humorous IBS rap by Sarah Sherman and Chris Parnell. Aubrey Plaza later introduced Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, who stunned the audience with a powerful cover of Nothing Compares 2 U, originally recorded by Sinéad O’Connor. The show also paid homage to the late Norm Macdonald, who passed away in 2021, during a special Weekend Update segment.

Another standout musical moment came when Adam Sandler took the stage with his guitar, performing an original song in honor of SNL’s five-decade legacy. John Mulaney led a Broadway-inspired tribute to New York City over the years, featuring an impressive lineup of stars, including David Spade, Pete Davidson, Maya Rudolph, Adam Driver, Nathan Lane, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Jonas, and Keenan Thompson, who reprised his fan-favorite Diner Lobster character.

As the celebration neared its finale, Lil Wayne electrified 30 Rock with Questlove and The Roots backing him up for a medley of his hits, including Uproar, Lollipop, 6 Foot 7 Foot, Mrs. Officer, and A Milli. To close out the special, Paul McCartney delivered a moving performance of Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End from The Beatles’ legendary Abbey Road album.

Throughout SNL’s landmark 50th season, which began in September, the show has welcomed a diverse array of musical talent, from Jelly Roll and Coldplay to Stevie Nicks, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Mk.gee, Charli XCX, Shaboozey, Gracie Abrams, Glorilla, and even actor-musician Timothée Chalamet.

With its rich history of comedy and music, Saturday Night Live continues to prove why it remains one of the most influential and beloved television institutions of all time.