SNL50: The Anniversary Special

I have always loved SNL and yes, I started watching 50 years ago when it debuted. I wish they'd give had given more honor and respect to original cast members, done a real In Memory for the brilliance lost, and been a little braver in the face of what's happening politically right now. My biggest disappointment was the inclusion of the faux star Kim K. She was a disappointment as a host and with all the talent to showcase it leaves me dumbfounded as to why they would feature someone with none. There were other cringey moments, things that didn't quite land but still, overall not bad except with one notable exception.

Found huge enjoyment... in the 40th Anniversary Special. With the Saturday Night film last year and all the specials running lately, I can't help remembering a show that used to push boundaries. A show willing to be controversial and bizarre. Not always hilarious, but a showcase of comedians being honest and creative.

This "special" felt contrived and safe and not particularly funny. The standouts were Martin's monologue, Sandler's song, Garret Morris introducing a classic Belishi clip, and the scared straight skit.

Everything else was run of the mill, been there done that, tame (ie lame) bits with a few mediocre music performances and lot of celebrities angling for screen time.

SNL 50: The Anniversary Special was a highly anticipated event, bringing together past and present cast members, legendary hosts, and iconic sketches to celebrate five decades of Saturday Night Live. While the nostalgia factor was strong and there were definitely some standout moments, the special ultimately felt like a mixed bag, earning a solid 6 out of 10 from me.

The best parts of the show were the well-executed callbacks to classic sketches and the surprise guest appearances. Seeing former cast members reprise their roles brought back great memories, and there were a few genuinely funny new bits that reminded us why SNL has lasted so long. The tribute segments honoring late cast members and behind-the-scenes legends were also touching and well done.

However, the pacing was inconsistent, and some segments felt like filler rather than a true celebration of SNL's legacy. While nostalgia is great, certain sketches dragged on too long or felt more like a rehash than a fresh take. Additionally, the balance between old and new cast members felt a bit off-while longtime fans may have enjoyed the throwbacks, newer audiences might have felt a little left out.

Overall, SNL 50 was a fun but flawed tribute. It had some great highs but also some lows that kept it from being truly great. A solid watch for longtime fans, but not quite the perfect anniversary special it could have been.

How can I be the first human to say something about the 50year anniversary episode of SNL. I'm honored! The cast (and audience) for this is incredible. This is the funnest thing I've seen on TV all year, and don't we all need it! But I'm not gonna get all Debbie Downer now because everyone here is clearly having the time of their lives. Seeing all the familiar faces makes anyone watching feel like they are a part of the family. There's a real feeling of intimacy here, I can only imagine no-one wanted to go home at the end. If there is a place in heaven SNL lovers go to, this is what it looks like! Thanks for 50 years everyone. Keep making America fun, we love you.

This has just about everything you could possibly want in an SNL homage. I watched it with my teens who had recently gotten into watching Weekend Updates every week, and it was a blast from the past, blending past and present beautifully. Just watching the crowd, it's fun to look out (and point out) who was there. Right from the get go it was evident everybody channeled real love into this special, and everybody was enjoying their time, well aware of the fact that they were taking part in a historical event. I can't even say exactly what my favorite moment was, but even the nostalgic, emotional beats hit just as hard as the humor.

If you've ever enjoyed SNL, this is well worth your time!