Kicked off with the monologue by host Steve Martin with the help of John Mulaney and Martin Short, the 50th anniversary special of 'Saturday Night Live' featured a blend of iconic hosts and biting political humor.
- Feb 17, 2025
AceShowbiz - In a night that cleverly mixed comedy with nostalgia, "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special episode proved to be a memorable celebration for fans old and new. Steve Martin kicked off the opening monologue, with special cameos by his TV co-star Martin Short and former "SNL" writer John Mulaney.
Opening with the line, "I'm Steve Martin, Saturday Night Live's newest diversity hire," the "Only Murders in the Building" actor dove into a humor-filled monologue that subtly critiqued current political events.
He humorously referred to President Donald Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, quipping, "I was actually vacationing on a friend's boat down on the Gulf of Steve Martin."
He also took time to pay tribute to the "SNL" writers, calling them "the heart and soul" of the show before asking them to "stand up and take a bow," only to show a group of sad-looking writers standing outside in the rain.
Former "SNL" writer John Mulaney then entered the picture and argued that the real "heart and soul" of the show was the celebrity hosts. He then proceeded to roast them, jokingly calling them out as "some of the most difficult people" he had ever met.
"Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted Saturday Night Live, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder," he quipped.
While Mulaney's cameo went smoothly, it's not the case with Martin Short. When he wanted to know why they didn't host together, Steve Martin asked back, "Do you have your passport on you?" When Short, who's Canadian, said, "No," he was quickly arrested by people wearing ICE uniforms.
"Marty and I have worked together for so long that we can actually finish each other's… careers," the host jested.
The night was filled with sketches and performances by past hosts and cast members like Pete Davidson, Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Adam Sandler, Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, and Lil Wayne.
The "SNL 50th" anniversary episode masterfully blended humor, satire, and nostalgia, leaving its audience both entertained and reflective on the show's influential history and its relationship with the city that never sleeps.
