Okay comedy fans you know the SNL 50th anniversary special was a HUGE deal. Like half a century of laughs iconic sketches and unforgettable moments. But turns out it wasn't just fun and games behind the scenes. Comedy legend and original cast member Bill Murray admitted the whole thing got him way more emotional than he expected. Like full-on crying emotional. Let's dive into what made Bill Murray shed some tears at the SNL reunion and why it meant so much.
Bill Murray Bawled Three Times During SNL 50th Anniversary: Here's Why the Nostalgia Hit Hard
Bill Murray spilled the tea on SiriusXM's Sway in the Morning saying SNL50 was "surprisingly emotional" for him. He even confessed "I wept three times in the show. It really got to me." Three times! That is some serious emotional impact even for a seasoned performer like Murray.
So what exactly caused the waterworks? It wasn't sketches bombing like he joked at first. Instead it was the heartfelt tributes to past SNL stars who are no longer with us. Murray explained that seeing video clips and historical footage throughout the show really triggered his emotions especially when they showed certain iconic cast members.
One moment that really got to him was seeing Gilda Radner dancing with Steve Martin in the "Dancing in the Dark" sketch. This classic bit from 1978 was replayed in a tribute to physical comedy and it brought back a flood of memories for Murray. He remembered watching them rehearse that number for days and days back in the day. He said "I was crazy about Gilda and I sort of came apart." Sitting in the dressing room with others he just couldn't hold back the tears thinking about Gilda.
John Belushi's Haunting Sketch and the Dark Irony That Still Gets to Bill Murray
Another moment that made Bill Murray tear up was the "Don't Look Back in Anger" short film featuring John Belushi. This sketch also from way back in 1978 showed Belushi in old-age makeup dancing on the tombstones of his fellow original SNL cast members including Gilda Radner. The sketch ends with Belushi asking "Why me? Why did I live so long?" before breaking into a dance.
The irony of this sketch is incredibly poignant considering John Belushi was actually the first original SNL cast member to pass away in 1982 just a few years after the sketch aired. Murray pointed out this dark foreshadowing saying "John was the first to go. So to see that and to see him — see I could go [cry] now just thinking about it — to see that sort of foreshadowing that Schiller sort of intuited to make that and to miss him." The weight of that irony and the loss of Belushi clearly still affects Murray deeply.
Remembering Garrett Morris: A Touching Moment of Diversity and SNL History
It wasn't just about sadness though. The SNL 50th anniversary also highlighted the show's history of diversity and inclusion. One of the most touching moments according to many viewers was seeing Garrett Morris the first and only Black cast member of the original SNL crew. At 86 years old Garrett Morris was helped to his feet on stage by Paul Simon and Elen Cleghorne in a truly heartwarming scene.
His presence was a powerful reminder of how Garrett Morris broke barriers on SNL paving the way for more diverse cast members over the years. While SNL has faced criticism for diversity issues at times Morris's inclusion from the very beginning was a significant step. Seeing him honored at the 50th anniversary was a meaningful moment acknowledging his contribution and the show's ongoing efforts toward diversity equity and inclusion.
Why John Belushi Was More Than Just Funny: Bill Murray Praises His Impact on SNL and Comedy
Bill Murray also took time to praise John Belushi beyond just the emotional sketch. He emphasized how much Belushi did to support other performers and launch careers. Murray explained "John was a guy who really made a lot of careers possible. He dragged all of us out from Chicago. John Belushi did that. He was the first to come out and he was a bold guy."
Murray recounted how Belushi started an off-Broadway show called Lemmings and brought in a group of Chicago comedians including Joe Flaherty Harold Ramis Gilda Radner and Murray himself. He described Belushi as "the funniest scariest guy in New York" at the time. Belushi essentially gave many of them their start in New York and on the path to SNL fame. Many people even slept on Belushi's couch until they got on their feet Murray recalled. It's clear Bill Murray sees John Belushi as a pivotal figure not just for SNL but for the entire comedy scene that emerged from that era.
SNL 50th Anniversary: Key Emotional Moments and Takeaways
- Bill Murray Weeping: Murray admitted he cried three times during the SNL 50th anniversary special overwhelmed by emotion and nostalgia.
- Gilda Radner Tribute: Seeing Gilda Radner dancing with Steve Martin in "Dancing in the Dark" deeply affected Murray reminding him of their close relationship.
- John Belushi's "Don't Look Back in Anger": The dark irony and foreshadowing of Belushi's sketch about death brought Murray to tears again.
- Garrett Morris's Appearance: The presence of original cast member Garrett Morris especially being helped on stage was a touching moment celebrating diversity and SNL history.
- John Belushi's Legacy: Murray praised Belushi for his boldness and for launching the careers of many comedians from Chicago including himself.
A Night of Laughter and Tears: SNL 50th Anniversary Show Was More Than Just Comedy
The SNL 50th anniversary special was clearly more than just a celebration of comedy. It was a deeply emotional experience for many especially for those who were there from the beginning like Bill Murray. His tears are a testament to the lasting impact of SNL the strong bonds formed among its cast members and the memories both joyful and bittersweet that come with 50 years of television history. It was a night to laugh to remember and yes to even shed a few tears for the legends of Saturday Night Live .