SNL 50th Anniversary – A Celebration of Iconic Comedy

When Saturday Night Live (SNL) first aired on October 11, 1975, nobody could have guessed the program would become a staple in American entertainment. Created by Lorne Michaels, the show changed the format of live comedy for decades to come with unforgettable sketches such as Celebrity Jeopardy! with Will Ferrell as well as its political impersonations like Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.

The list of SNL alumni is long and impressive: Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, and Pete Davidson, among many others, turned the show into a talent-growing place. Now, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, SNL looks back on five decades of satire, cultural impact, and legendary moments with a special event featuring some of its most beloved stars.

But what makes this show so special and enduring?

The 50th Anniversary Celebration

The SNL 50th anniversary special aired Sunday night on February 16th instead of its iconic Saturday night programming. Leading up to the big show, NBC/s Peacock premiered the “SNL 50: Homecoming Concert” Friday night, which included Backstreet Boys, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga. Following that on Saturday, NBC re-aired the very first episode of “SNL”, leaving viewers nostalgic and ready for a blast from the past with the anniversary celebration. 

Speaking of nostalgia, numerous SNL alums returned to their beginnings in Studio 8H, the studio in New York’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza which has broadcasted the show since the very beginning. Out of the seven original cast members of the first season, only the four surviving members returned – Chevy Chase, Garret Morris, Jane Curtis, and Laraine Newman. Other notable SNL alumni who returned were Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Eddie Murphy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Molly Shannon, among many others. Production designer Keith Raywood even explained that the studio itself would be holding 450 people. That’s about 200 people more than what it normally holds due to the overwhelming amount of guests and audience members.

How the Show Shaped Legendary Careers

Over the decades, SNL has served as a breeding ground for some of the biggest names in American entertainment, proving that a few seasons for its various cast members on the iconic Studio 8H stage can lead to a lifetime of success within television and film. 

Take Martin Short, who became a household name in the 1980s thanks to his unforgettable characters like Ed Grimley. His tenure on SNL paved the way for a thriving career in films such as “Three Amigos!” and “Father of the Bride”, television shows like “The Martin Short Show” and “Only Murders in the Building”, and even Broadway. 

Similarly, Bill Murray’s razor-sharp wit and deadpan delivery made him a standout in the late ’70s, and he quickly transitioned into a Hollywood star with “Ghostbusters”, “Caddyshack”, and “Groundhog Day”. He later went on to earn critical acclaim for dramatic performances in “Lost in Translation” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. 

The show’s ability to turn young talent into comedic royalty didn’t stop there—Pete Davidson, one of SNL’s youngest-ever cast members, leveraged his self-deprecating humor and “Weekend Update” appearances to launch his silver-screen career in films such as “The King of Staten Island” and “Bodies Bodies Bodies”, as well as the television series “Bupkis”, and stand-up comedy. 

Meanwhile, Tina Fey, who made history as SNL’s first female head writer, used her time on the show as a springboard for creating “30 Rock”, writing the cultural phenomenon “Mean Girls”, and developing hits like “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. 

And then there’s Will Ferrell, whose over-the-top characters and spot-on George W. Bush impression in the late ’90s solidified his status as a comedic powerhouse. His post-SNL career has been nothing short of legendary, with films like “Anchorman”, “Elf”, and “Step Brothers”, as well as the founding of the massively influential “Funny or Die” platform. 

Another prime example of SNL’s star-making power is Adam Sandler, whose time on the show in the early ’90s made him a fan favorite with his goofy, musical sketches and offbeat characters. While Sandler’s unexpected firing from SNL in 1995 could have ended his career, it instead fueled his rise to superstardom, as he became one of Hollywood’s most bankable comedic actors with blockbuster hits like “Billy Madison”, “Happy Gilmore”, and “The Waterboy”. Over time, Sandler also proved his dramatic chops in critically acclaimed films like “Uncut Gems” and “Punch-Drunk Love”, cementing his status as one of the most versatile and enduring entertainers to emerge from SNL.

As SNL reaches its half-century mark, its legacy as a career-defining institution remains undeniable—continuing to shape the future of comedy, film, and pop culture itself.

Iconic Live Performances 

The 50th-anniversary celebration included many musical guests including Brittany Howard, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney and The Roots. The dynamic duo that stole the show was the opening duet from musical legend Paul Simon and rising pop princess Sabrina Carpenter dazzled nearly 15 million people by curating the show for viewers of all ages. 

SNL stuck to its age-old strategy of live performances which has undoubtedly contributed to the show’s long-term success. Audiences are repeatedly captivated by the authenticity and vulnerability required to perform live, making the show more special and intimate. Not only do viewers love to see their favorite artists perform live, but artists are equally as excited to be invited onto the SNL stage. 

SNL’s Influence From TV Skits to TikTok Trends

As Saturday Night Live closes its 50th anniversary, its impact on American entertainment remains undeniable. What began as a late-night experiment in sketch comedy has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, shaping not only television and film but also the way humor is consumed in the digital age. The show’s influence can now be seen across social media platforms like TikTok, where a new generation of creators and influencers are rising to fame by producing short-form, relatable skits—mirroring the comedic formula SNL perfected decades ago. 

In an era where virality often determines success, SNL’s legacy proves that sharp writing, strong characters, and the ability to tap into cultural moments will always resonate. As the show looks ahead to its next chapter, it is clear that SNL isn’t just a piece of entertainment history—it continues to shape the future of comedy, one laugh at a time.