The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special aired recently and became a subject of debate among viewers. While celebrating five decades of comedy the show faced both praise and criticism. A particular sketch caused political backlash and some observers felt the special leaned too heavily on recent years neglecting earlier eras.
Tom Hanks made a surprise appearance in the "SNL50" special reprising his role as Doug a Donald Trump supporter in a "Black Jeopardy" sketch. This appearance sparked outrage among some Republican viewers. Variety reported that Joy Behar from "The View" acknowledged the MAGA crowd's reaction stating they felt the sketch portrayed Trump voters as racist. Behar however mentioned she does not believe any group is monolithic and many Trump voters might be driven by other concerns like economy and healthcare. Conversely Victoria Jackson an SNL alum expressed her disapproval of Hanks' sketch to TMZ and agreed with a post on X calling it "disgusting". The sketch showed Hanks' character in a MAGA hat seemingly reluctant to shake hands with Kenan Thompson's Black host.
Despite a large gathering of past and present cast members some notable figures were absent from the anniversary show. WXII12 news mentioned that founding cast member Dan Aykroyd did not attend the special. Even though he was missing Aykroyd shared a message on X expressing pride in SNL's 50-year milestone and called the telecast "historical". NBC Chicago noted that while Aykroyd was mentioned in a montage and by Bill Murray during Weekend Update he was not physically present. The reason for his absence remains unclear. Bill Hader another popular SNL alum was also not at the anniversary though he recently reunited with Kristin Wiig and Fred Armisen for a Volkswagen commercial reviving their "The Californians" sketch.
The Atlantic offered a critical perspective on the special arguing it played the wrong "greatest-hits reel". The article suggested that "SNL50" suffered from "recency bias" focusing mainly on sketches from the last 20 years. Examples given included Kristen Wiig's Dooneese Kate McKinnon's Colleen Rafferty and Sabrina Carpenter's "Domingo" sketch. The author pointed out that while these contemporary segments were featured the special missed an opportunity to truly honor SNL's extensive and varied history. They highlighted that pre-anniversary documentaries had showcased the show's full 50-year span but the special itself felt narrower in its scope.
However The Atlantic also acknowledged some effective moments in the anniversary show. Eddie Murphy's Tracy Morgan impression in "Black Jeopardy" and John Mulaney's New York-themed musical sketch were praised. Adam Sandler's heartfelt song tribute to SNL and the "In Memoriam" segment for poorly aged gags were also mentioned as poignant and self-aware moments. The inclusion of Tom Schiller's 1978 short film with John Belushi was cited as a welcome example of SNL's older and more unconventional content.
What The SNL 50th Anniversary Means For The Show's Legacy
SNL's 50th Anniversary Special Reflected Both Its Enduring Appeal and Ongoing Challenges
The SNL 50th anniversary special demonstrated the program's lasting impact on comedy and culture. The gathering of numerous stars and the widespread attention the event received highlight SNL's significance. However the mixed reactions also suggest the show faces continuous scrutiny and varying expectations from its audience. The "Black Jeopardy" sketch controversy indicates how SNL's political humor can still provoke strong responses and spark debate. The criticism of recency bias raises questions about how effectively the show balanced its past and present in the anniversary celebration.
Our Take On The SNL 50th Anniversary Saturday Night
The SNL Anniversary Special Was a Blend of Nostalgia Celebration and Missed Opportunities
The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special was a significant television event that provided moments of genuine entertainment and nostalgia. Adam Sandler's tribute and some of the revived sketches were undoubtedly highlights. Yet the criticism regarding the sketch selection and the political sketch controversy are valid points. Perhaps no single special could fully encapsulate 50 years of SNL's complex history and appeal. The mixed reactions ultimately reflect the diverse and evolving relationship viewers have with this iconic show. While celebrating its past SNL also faces the task of navigating contemporary sensitivities and audience preferences as it moves forward.
Sources: Variety wxii12.com nbcchicago.com theatlantic.com