NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special drew nearly 15 million viewers on Sunday night. The 3½ hour show was packed with comedy sketches, musical performances, and unexpected cameos. The special delivered the biggest audience for NBC for a nighttime entertainment show since the 2020 Golden Globes.
“Saturday Night Live” is still the first place people turn when they want to make comedic sense of current affairs. https://t.co/tTK3zl8uIQ
— Navbahor Imamova (@Navbahor) February 16, 2025
The viewership totals included live streaming figures for Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. Paul Simon, Sabrina Carpenter, and Steve Martin opened the show with the monologue. Numerous cameos included appearances by Aubrey Plaza, Meryl Streep, and Jack Nicholson.
What a concert! So many legends together celebrating the 50th Anniversary of SNL! https://t.co/iQReCnqzSF
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) February 15, 2025
Paul McCartney delivered the closing musical number. The show opened with Simon and Carpenter sharing the stage at Studio 8H. They exchanged a joke about the passage of time.
I wrote about "SNL50," revolutions becoming institutions, and our looming post-Lorne future https://t.co/SvYntRzhvC
— Chris DeVille (@chrisdeville) February 17, 2025
Many tune in for SNL special
Together, they performed Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound.”
With all the fawning over #SNL on its 50th anniversary, it was refreshing to read @guardian reminder of its long history of mediocrity and dumb humor. https://t.co/DwOtkkNLxD
— Marco Werman (@MarcoWerman) February 16, 2025
Steve Martin, a 16-time host, performed the opening monologue. The evening was a mix of nostalgia and humor, with skits revisiting famous catchphrases and iconic characters.
However, the absence of original cast member Dan Aykroyd left many fans wondering. A source close to Aykroyd confirmed that he “could not come” to the celebration. The exact reason behind his absence remains unclear.
Former cast member Bill Hader also declined the invitation to return for the anniversary event. Despite their absences, the special still featured a star-studded lineup of both current and past cast members. The celebration aimed to honor the show’s long-standing legacy over the past 50 years in broadcasting.
It was a fitting tribute to its enduring impact on comedy and culture.