This past weekend, June 7, provided a lot for Saturday Night Live viewers. Aside from the regular show, NBC re-aired the blockbuster SNL50: The Anniversary Special the following night. That gave us over four hours of sketches and musical performances. It felt like a special treat for everybody who enjoys the show. The February special appeared to reunite practically everyone who had previously been on the show. Studio 8H was packed with big names and some of the funniest people in comedy today. You might think John Mulaney's New York Musicals couldn't get much bigger. However, the SNL50 episode, which you may watch, featured the largest cast ever. It includes Nathan Lane, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Nick Jonas Scarlett Johansson and Paul Rudd star in Adam Driver. They joined Mulaney and previous cast members, including Pete Davidson. David Spade Kristen Wiig Will Forte Jason Sudeikis and Cecily Strong.
Speaking of Strong, she reprised her Jeanine Pirro impression for the Season 50 Mother's Day opener. She spent her first vacation as a mother with her young girl and SNL family. Strong wrote, "The best first Mother's Day ever." Bébé Strong MacG met so many of the people I adore, including Colin Jessica Jost, who wore a parka for their first meeting" since Strong's Pirro definitely covered him with beverages. Season 50 included numerous unexpected situations. I always enjoy witnessing how the actors and guests breathe fresh life into iconic characters or create something entirely unexpected. This season did not disappoint in terms of these instances.
Unpacking the Season 50 hosts and the energy they brought to the studio.From Oscar winners to fan favorites, the stage was filled with interesting personalities.
Mikey Madison, the host, earned an Academy Award in 2025 for her role as Anora. She made her Saturday Night Live debut on March 29. Her doodles featured a "Please Don't Destroy" video. This was a sequel to "Bad Bunny Is Shrek." It was titled "Mikey Madison is Squidward." I think she did an excellent job. She injected a new vitality to the show. It's always nice to see different faces take on the hosting chores. They frequently bring a different type of humor.
Then there was Scarlett Johansson. She frequently appears on SNL and is married to "Weekend Update" anchor Colin Jost. She hosted the season finale on May 17. It was her seventh time presenting the show. This puts her just ahead of Tina Fey and Drew Barrymore as the most experienced female SNL host. I can understand why they keep asking her. She always blends in with the cast and elevates the sketches. Her monologue at the end was a highlight. She had the majority of the season 50 cast with her. It seemed like a season finale.
Other hosts this season have also made their impact. Jon Hamm returned to host for the fourth time on April 12. He last hosted in 2010. He has appeared on the show several times since then. He also made an appearance last season to commemorate his Bridesmaids co-star Kristen Wiig's entry into the Five-Timers Club. Hamm exudes a certain charm and ease on stage. He is usually a friendly face. Jack Black hosted for the fourth time on April 5, following a 20-year hiatus. Kenan Thompson's second hosting stint, in 2003, marked his debut on the SNL cast. Black always exudes vigor. His entertaining monologue featured a somersault and a gallop around the audience. These hosts demonstrate the broad range of talent that the show attracts. I always appreciate watching how they interact with the regular cast members.
Find out if Saturday Night Live has a new episode tonight as we look back at Season 50's big moments and what could be in store for the cast.
Musical Guests Who Made Noise And Left A Long-lasting Impression This Season
The music moments were diverse, including controversial exits and powerful performances.
The musical guests this season were as diverse and memorable as the hosts. Morgan Wallen made his second appearance as a musical guest on March 29. His intended debut performance in 2020 was canceled due to a violation of COVID-19 guidelines. Wallen grabbed headlines again this time. He abruptly went off stage in the midst of goodnights. This created quite a commotion. It's always intriguing to observe how the live format of SNL may result in unexpected occurrences. I believe this is one of the reasons why people continue to watch.
Bad Bunny, a former double duty host, made his third appearance as a musical guest on the May 17 broadcast. He's a popular artist. He is recognized as the "King of Latin Trap." He became the first non-English American musician to be Spotify's most streamed artist for three consecutive years, from 2020 to 2022. His 2022 album "Un Verano Sin Ti" is Spotify's most-streamed album. He has won three Grammy awards. He rose to prominence with his 2016 single "Diles." His 2020 album "El Último Tour del Mundo" became the first all-Spanish album to top the Billboard 200 charts. His performances always add a lot of excitement to the presentation.
On March 8, Lady Gaga served as both a musical guest and host. This was her second time performing both, and her fifth appearance as a musical guest overall. She began the broadcast with a monologue mocking her controversial 2013 SNL performance with R. Kelly. She giggled, saying it had "aged amazingly." Lady Gaga always delivers a powerful performance. She truly understands how to command the stage. These musical artists bring a unique flavor to each show. They frequently produce moments that people talk about long after the concert is over.
With Saturday Night Live on summer hiatus, we're looking back at the most memorable moments of Season 50, debating when new episodes will return, and what you can watch right now.
Looking Ahead To The Future Of Saturday Night Live After Season 50's Wrap-Up
What to Expect as the show continues its run and prepares for new seasons
The 50th season of SNL premiered on September 28, 2024. Jean Smart hosted the program. Jelly Roll was the musical guest. Maya Rudolph's Emmy-winning Kamala Harris imitation returned in the chilly open. She was joined by Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate. Andy Samberg portrayed second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Dana Carvey, SNL's master impressionist, played President Joe Biden. The season featured numerous political comedy, particularly with the 2024 presidential race approaching.
NBC has yet to announce the official premiere date for Saturday Night Live season 51. However, many people predict it to begin in the fall of 2025. This is how the show generally operates. It'll be intriguing to see who joins the cast. Some cast members have left this season. Punkie Johnson Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast no longer appear on the show. New featured players: Ashley Padilla Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline joined. Marcello Hernandez Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker were upgraded to the lead roles. These modifications always add a new aspect to the show. I'm always interested in seeing how the new and returning cast members work together.
The show's founders and writers have discussed SNL's future. They've intimated that there are no plans to stop the show soon. This is fantastic news for the supporters. This means that we may look forward to many more years of laughter and satire. The show continues to look for new ways to stay relevant. It continues to bring in skilled hosts and musical guests. I believe SNL has a way of reflecting what is going on in the world. It accomplishes this by making us chuckle. This explains why it has lasted so long. I am forward to see what surprises season 51 will offer. Saturday Night Live always offers something new and surprising.