This weekend marked a sensational celebration as Saturday Night Live commemorated its 50th anniversary with a series of remarkable performances. On February 14, NBC showcased SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, a lively event broadcasted from Radio City Music Hall in New York, featuring a star-studded lineup including David Byrne, Robyn, Lady Gaga, and Andy Samberg. Following this, the festivities continued with SNL50: The Anniversary Special, a three-hour live show filled with musical acts, monologues, and new adaptations of beloved sketches.
The night began with an energetic duet from Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon on the Studio 8H stage, who mesmerized the audience with a rendition of the classic Simon & Garfunkel track “Homeward Bound.” Simon humorously recalled singing this very song alongside George Harrison back in 1976, prompting Carpenter’s light-hearted comment about their respective ages. They then launched into the famous SNL introduction: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
The evening’s entertainment included a monologue from the legendary Steve Martin and a variety of sketches, including a humorous take on The Lawrence Welk Show featuring iconic alumni such as Fred Armisen, Will Ferrell, and Kristen Wiig in a nostalgic role. A crew of SNL favorites, including Keenan Thompson, Leslie Jones, and Tracy Morgan, came together for a raucous take on “Black Jeopardy.”
Carpenter made a return appearance in an installment of SNL’s “Domingo” series, continuing the comedic saga alongside cast members in a parody that transitioned from “Defying Gravity” to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” The surprise inclusion of Bad Bunny as a dashing brother added another layer of fun to the storyline.
Later, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler engaged with the audience in a lively Q&A session, prompting laughs and stories, including an amusing reflection from Tim Meadows about a long-ago episode involving Sade.
The musical highlight of the night arrived with Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard delivering a stunning performance—trading verses on a cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s poignant song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” captivating the attendees. This was followed by a heartfelt tribute during Weekend Update to the late Norm Macdonald, who served as the show’s anchor in previous years.
Adam Sandler brought a nostalgic touch to the evening with a heartfelt song tribute to the show’s enduring legacy, while John Mulaney led a Broadway-style revue showcasing New York’s vibrant history, accompanied by a dazzling array of guests including David Spade, Pete Davidson, and the illustrious Lin-Manuel Miranda.
As the evening drew to a close, Lil Wayne electrified the crowd with a medley of his greatest hits, joined by the incredible Roots as his backing band. Finally, the iconic Paul McCartney brought the celebrations to a powerful conclusion with a moving performance of “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End,” a beloved classic from The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.
The 50th season of Saturday Night Live had previously welcomed an impressive roster of talent including Jelly Roll, Coldplay, and Billie Eilish, further affirming the show’s status as a cornerstone of entertainment.
