The clock reads 8:30 p.m. Although you are sitting in the comfort of your own home (or dorm), it’s almost as though you’ve won standby tickets and are sitting in the iconic Studio 8H. After all, New York City is only an hour and a half Amtrak ride away. Usually, you watch on Saturday night at 11:30 p.m., but tonight is different. It’s a Sunday evening, and “Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special” is on NBC. Suddenly, the iconic band introduction plays, the lights go up, and a host enters a Grand Central Station–inspired set and recites a monologue. Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!
Saturday Night Live is a weekly late night comedy sketch show where anything can happen. Cast members act alongside a guest host, who is usually promoting some new project such as a film, television show, or album. “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” contributed a perfect balance between nostalgia and a tribute to both the success and impact of the show. This was not only accomplished by getting to see returning cast members back up on the stage again in sketches they did during their time on the show but also by seeing many other celebrities sitting in the seats of the audience and how they have been impacted and grown because of the show.
The show’s special included past cast members, hosts, and musical guests in both the audience and sketches. Special guests who made appearances throughout sketches included Eddie Murphy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Maya Rudolph. Additionally, these celebrities were also accompanied by musical guests who performed throughout the night. Musical performances included Miley Cyrus with Brittney Howard and The Roots, Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon, and Adam Sandler.
The show paid tribute to some of its most famous and recurring sketches including “Bridesmaid Speech,” “Debbie Downer: Disney World,” and “Close Encounter.” “Bridesmaid Speech” is set during a wedding after–party. Instead of a speech, the bridesmaids sing a song to the tune of “Espresso” by Carpenter—where they detail the bride’s actions during the bachelorette trip. In addition to the live sketches, the special incorporated video tributes to comedy legends, slapstick physical comedy, and commercial parodies. Finally, there was a sketch that involved audience members in unique ways. The “Audience Q&A” sketch, which was also a part of “Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special,” involved celebrities sitting in the seats of Studio 8H to pose questions to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.
Leading up to the event, SNL collaborated with Architectural Digest to film a tour of the set. This was an incredibly valuable interview because it gave audience members watching from home some insight into what goes on behind the scenes, such as makeup, hair, and costumes. As a fan of the show, it was surreal being able to see the marks that former cast members have left on the building, from their wigs to labeled busts of their heads in the prosthetics room—a clear sign that a staggering amount of history has been made in Studio 8H.
The publicity surrounding “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” also allowed audience members to pay closer attention to details they may have overlooked in the past. It provided great insight surrounding the history of the show, especially with the main stage (that the show starts and ends on), as well as elements and props that have appeared on set over the years. It showed me how incredibly dynamic and integrated the process of putting a comedy show on live television every week was like.
SNL is not only a dynamic television program with a lot of history; it’s a trailblazer platform that provides comedians with opportunities to perform on live television. Not only this, but while the show is aired on NBC, a live audience is also present to react to the sketches, performances, and “Weekend Update.” The live nature of the programming also accounts for quick changes to cue cards, the occasional breaking of character by cast members, and sometimes, sketches that they were not able to air because they ran out of time. Seeing “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” was a reminder that many well–known comedians and TV personalities started out as cast members or were a part of the show for a period of time, including Steve Martin and Jimmy Fallon, who went on to host award shows and produce and star in movies.
Historically, comedians have not been given a platform to perform on live television. Instead, they often have specials on streaming services (such as Netflix) or perform live in venues. As a result, it may be difficult for audience members to discover new comedians. SNL offers a solution to this by providing opportunities for audience members to gain exposure to various comedy styles. It is also a unique way to expose viewers to a comedian’s writing and performances (which they may not have been able to find on streaming platforms).
As you blink your eyes in an effort to make your sleepiness disappear, the show wraps up with its weekly “Good Night” segment, where the host makes their final statements alongside the cast and crew. This one is particularly special because it makes it incredibly evident that once you are on the show, you are a part of the SNL family. The program’s history leaves a powerful imprint on everybody it touches: guest hosts, musical guests, and comedians alike. Modern comedy is something that is not usually shown on cable television, but this series makes it possible for audiences to gain access to comedians’ performances and writing outside of streaming service specials. Over time, the sketches have also become more of a combination of references to pop culture and political commentary, and its momentous and wholesome ending is a fitting tradition for a show that I predict will run for at least another 50 years to come.
