It's hard to believe thatSaturday Night Livehas been on the air for five decades, but it has been 50 years sinceSNLmoved into Studio 8H. In that time, the sketch show has created a bevy of unforgettable characters, provided us with biting political satire, and launched the careers of today's biggest comedic stars. The show has become a fixture in the American television landscape, and its influence is still as potent today as it was when it debuted in 1975. Now thatSNL50 has come to a close, it feels like it's time to look back at all the best moments this momentous season has brought us. From jaw-dropping cameos to knee-slapping parodies, here are all the most unforgettableSNL50 moments. Not everySNLsketch needs a complicated premise or highbrow punchline to be memorable. Sometimes, the best skits are the ones where you can just tell that the cast is having fun at one of the coolest jobs in the world. The setup of "Victorian Ladies at Lunch" is right there in the title; it's basically the ladies of Bridgerton out to brunch. But as the meal goes on, hostScarlett Johansson,Heidi Gardner,Chloe Fineman, andSara Shermaneat a series of truly disgusting dishes like boiled calf's head and jellied eel. The cast can barely get through their lines, laughing while they stuff their mouths full of vile liquids and mush. Silly accents, gross-out stunts, and breaking characters? What more could you want from a sketch? Without a doubt,Cecily Strongis one ofSaturday Night Live's most beloved cast members of the last decade or so, and her absence has been felt ever since she left in 2022. WhenJeanine Pirrore-entered the news cycle, it was only right to bring Cecily back, seeing as Pirro was one of her most memorable impressions. Crashing the second-to-last episode's cold open, Strong slipped right back into character, pulling a full bottle of wine out of her giant purse, or as she calls it, "a cozy for my merlot-zy." One of the funniest bits that Strong used to do while impersonating the Fox News host was spilling and spitting wine all overColin Jost. Luckily for us, Jost pops into the scene in a rare appearance away from the Update desk, once again becoming the target for Cecily's spit-takes. Let's hope we see more of Strong next season. SNLis known for its parody commercials like "Mom Jeans," "Wells for Boys," or "Oops! I Crapped My Pants." Adding to this legacy is "Forever31," a clothing brand for women who aren't sure if they can still dress in the current trends aimed at the "Coachella whores." Featuring hostQuinta Brunsonand all the ladies of the currentSNLroster, the sketch showcases oversized clothing in "every color of the bummer rainbow," which are beige, gray, khaki, black, and "if you're feeling skanky, navy blue," as Brunson jokes. According to the voiceover, a more grown-up wardrobe means you're ready to tackle more grown-up things like freezing your eggs, having big conversations with your partner, and showing off your curve (singular). Just because you're in your 30s doesn't mean you can't still be fun, just not "FUN fun." Jon Hammis basically anSNLregular at this point, having properly hosted the show four times and dropping by in over a dozen cameo roles through the years. When he came back to host in Season 50, expectations were high, and Hamm didn't falter. One of the most memorable sketches of the night was "New Parents," where he and Bowen Yang play a couple who are hanging out with their friends. Everything is completely normal except for the fact that Hamm and Yang show up with a baby that nobody in the friend group knew about, and the reaction ranges from mystified to generally concerned. "We were with you last night and you did not have a baby," Sarah Sherman states, "How did this happen?" The couple gets up in arms about the interrogation, taking every inquiry as a personal attack on them being a gay couple. "People think they can ask gay people anything, it's not ok!" Hamm says starting to get heated. "What do you want us to say?" asks an exasperated Bowen Yang, "That we stole her?" The room goes quiet. "Did you?" Heidi Gardner asks sheepishly. The sketch has some of the season's best jokes and line deliveries, making it an easy addition to this list. One of the most memorable moments of Season 50 came at the hands ofEgo Nwodim. No stranger to the Update Desk, Ego stopped by as herself to share her thoughts on the White House Correspondents' Association's decision to forgo inviting a comedian to host their annual dinner to avoid any "divisive politics." But Nwodim felt she had the perfect plan to change their minds — only make jokes about the food. To help prove her point, she adopts the persona of a middle-aged stand-up comedian named Miss Eggy, and it doesn't take long before the whole scene goes bonkers. After some truly ridiculous stand-up bits about jicama and overbaked dinner rolls, "Miss Eggy" tries her hand at some call-and-response humor, but the real Ego doesn't expect the crowd toactuallytalk back. At one point, she says to the audience, "These men ain't what?" and before she can finish her thought, they shout in unison, "Sh*t!" For those watching on Pecock, the moment slipped past the censors, and it left Nwodim and Weekend Update co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che in shock. "We finna get fined for that!" Ego says, laughing, while Jost and Che shake in the background. "Y'all gonna have to pay for that," she jokes while pointing at the audience. "Lorne gonna be mad at y'all!" This is why live comedy is so important. One ofSNL 50's unsung heroes is featured playerAshley Padilla. She holds it down in sketches, has effortless comedic timing, and feels at home with the rest of theSNLcast. Shortly after it was announced that JOANN Fabric filed for bankruptcy, Padila rolled into the Weekend Update desk as Joann herself to talk about just how much the business means to her. "It means a lot to every capri-wearing woman with a boring husband and a mean dog!" she exclaims. Looking back on the glory days of her career, she remembers her time at JOANN fondly. "Every day I was living my dream," she recalls, "First thing I do when I get in — I check that we always have Halloween stuff. Then I sweep the dust into a pile and spread it back out, power-sniff a permanent marker, and I drive home." From there, the scene devolves into Joann acting absolutely unhinged, and it's an absurd delight. Fingers crossed Padilla will be back next season to show us even more characters. When it was announced that Lady Gaga would be pulling double duty as both host and musical guest, fans were eager to see what Mother Monster would bring to theSNLstage. Gaga comedically tore the house down in her sketches, but her performance of "Killah" was what really stood out during her 30 Rock stint. The performance had an entirely unique beginning, starting out in the backstage hallways, complete with floor choreo and brightly colored ensembles that were a breath of fresh compared to the darker, more sinister vibe of "Abracadabra." The song crescendos in an utterly soul-satisfying rock 'n' roll moment, with manic drumming, guttural screaming, and of course, an outfit change. Even if you're not of fan of Gaga, there's no denying that this was a cultural moment. The writing onSNLis what brings us the laughs episode after episode, but sometimes the comedy comes from the actors on stage not being able to get through their lines without laughing. WhenMarcello Hernandezshowed up to the Update desk as "The Movie Guy" things almost immediately devolved into stifled giggles and outright laughter as the character admits he's seen none of the movies he's there to talk about. Instead, he wants to talk about Spongebob Squarepants and Popeye the Sailor Man, which honestly doesn't make a lot of sense, but things don't have to make sense to be funny. Kate McKinnon's "Close Encounter" sketches are some of the more memorable in recent memory, and bringing it back for the fiftieth anniversary was a no-brainer.Aidy Bryantreturned alongsideJon Hammto interrogate McKinnon,Pedro PascalandWoody Harrelsonwho all had encounters with alien life forms, though with some varying degrees of intensity. The real kicker of this sketch though is that mid-way through,Meryl Streepenters as Kate's mom. Meryl. Streep. In her first-ever appearance on the sketch show, Streep and McKinnon splayed their legs out in matching high-waisted jeans, smoking cigarettes, while recounting the various ways their alien captors were less-than-gentle with them during their space probe. What a way to make yourSNLdebut! We knew that the SNL50 anniversary special would bring home some of the greatestSaturday Night Livetalent, but nothing could have prepared us for the return of some of the show's most beloved characters, Betty and Jodi from "Bronx Beat."Amy PoehlerandMaya Rudolphcame back to the 30 Rock stage, settling into their characters with the same ease one would settle into "sweat-ah weath-ah." And it didn't hurt thatMike Meyersshowed up as his "Coffee Talk" character Linda Richman. This crossover had us all feeling a little verklempt. If you thoughtTimothée Chalametrolling intoSNLas both host and musical guest was going to be the wildest part of his episode this season, you'd be sorely mistaken. Towards the end of the episode, when the show tends to debut its whackiest sketches, we were treated to a scene exploring the idea "What if a bunch of dumb little dogs talked and acted like people?" The skit is kind of out there but in the best way. The cast zooms in and out of the dog park in what can only be described as the canine version ofCatscostumes, sniffing each other's butts, scooting around on the lawn, and eating grass until they get sick and eating it again (and again). It's weird, but it's certainly memorable. When the iconic entertainerMartin Shortwas inducted into the elusive Five-Timers club (an elite group of people who have hostedSNLat least five times), we knew that we'd be in for some comedic treats, and the sketch that really shone that night was "Parking Lot Altercation." Short goes head-to-head in a battle for parking where the weapon of choice is increasingly erratic hand gestures. The sketch reaches its full peak whenMelissa McCarthyshows up, which causes everyone to break character. You love to see it. Jane Wicklineis quickly becoming anSNLfavorite and her return to the Weekend Update desk was all but inevitable. Debuting a new song for the Weekend Updateaudience, she asks the people watching to imagine that she isSabrina Carpenteras she sings. "So you'll be doing a Sabrina Carpenter impression?" Colin Jost asks her. "No," Jane responds, "I can't look or sound like her. She's completely perfect." When Wickline also clarifies the song won't even be in the style of Carpenter, the audience is clearly charmed by her deadpan insistence that the audience put in a little imaginative effort to make the bit work. The song itself pokes fun at pop stars whose fanbases speculate about whether their favorite singers are secretly queer, and Jane as Sabrina (but not really) laments that everyone just thinks she's straight — despite her best efforts. Paul Mescal's episode brought a lot of laughs, but this sketch about a son who returns home for the holidays only to be mercilessly (and hilariously) criticized by his parents (Heidi GardnerandEmil Wakim) was as funny as it is relatable. When Mescal's character reveals that he got his ear pierced, his parents overreact to such an outrageous degree that Heidi struggles not to laugh out loud throughout most of the sketch. "What's the big deal?" Paul asks. "What's the big deal?" Gardner replies, "What if I came home with skeleton hands tattooed around my neck?" The scene continues to heighten, with each new scenario presented by the parents outdoing the ridiculousness of the last, before crescendoing in some classicSNLphysical comedy. After social media starPeanut the squirrelwas seized and euthanized by officials to test for rabies, the sad story took a funny turn whenSarah Shermanshowed up at the Weekend Update desk as the late rodent's widow, Hazel. The entire bit is completely ridiculous and allows Sherman's explosive physical comedy to shine through, proving she is a one-of-a-kind talent. Her larger-than-life presence is only outmatched by whoever is puppeteering her giant squirrel tail, which takes on a life of its own and almost steals the scene entirely. Almost. Ego Nwodimis responsible for some of the biggest laughs in recentSNLhistory (looking at you,Lisa from Temecula), and this drop-by the Weekend Update desk is just another notch on her comedic belt. Nwodim's character promises to teachColin Jostand the audience about the art of active listening, but instead spends her entire three minutes on the air rifling through her purse pulling out everything from maracas to a dead goldfish. "I need to take 'fish mom' out of my bio," she laments. She even pulls out an unsent mail-in ballot. "That is a damn shame. I'm registered in Pennsylvania, too." There's nothing more thrilling than an unexpected cameo onSaturday Night Live, especially when said special guest has been impersonated by one of the show's most celebrated cast members all season long. The crowd erupted into feverish applause when Vice PresidentKamala HarrisjoinedMaya Rudolphon the Studio 8H stage where the two traded Kamala-based puns like "Kamala take my palm-ala" and "Keep Kamala and carry on-ala." Harris joined the ranks of several other political figures who have visited 30 Rock on their campaign trail to poke fun at themselves and inspire the American people. We thank you for your service. Related:Every 'Saturday Night Live' Host of Season 50 SNLshines when it lets itself wander into bizarre and nonsensical territories of comedy, and the "Port Authority Duane Reade" sketch withJohn Mulaneywas a perfect example of that. While it was filled with real-life references to New York goings-on (like theTimotheé Chalametlookalike contest or the bear carcass thatRFK Jr.dumped in Central Park), the sketch show presented this content in a Broadway-style cabaret inside a bus terminal drug store. It made no sense, and yet all the sense. Chappell Roan's full hq performance of 'The Giver', her new cuntry single, live on SNL! 🤍pic.twitter.com/NdKLmqXRpw — best of chappell roan (@bestofchappell)November 3, 2024 One of the most anticipated musical guests ofSNL50 was undoubtedlyChappell Roan, and while fans theorized about what songs she might perform ("I hope she plays 'Hot to Go'") the audience was treated to a never-before-heard tune, "The Giver." Decked head to toe in her best hoedown throwdown regalia, Roan belted about how women get the job done better than men. "All you country boys saying you know how to treat a woman right / Well only a woman knows how to treat a woman right." Yee-haw! Related:Every 'SNL' Musical Guest of Season 50 Every timeSarah Shermanrolls up to the Update desk you know two things:Colin Jostis about to get razzed within an inch of his life, and you're going to laugh until you're absolutely wheezing. This time around she was there to share her thoughts on the inclusivity showcased in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. While she was happy that there was a lot of diversity, she noticed a demographic that was underrepresented: women like her. "Where are my girls with anxiety hives and infected belly button rings?" she asked. "I want to see underwear that's been through hell and back ... the kind that looks like a flag at the end of a war." The boys of Please Don't Destroy (a NYC comedy trio made up ofBen Marshall,John HigginsandMartin Herlihywho all write onSaturday Night Live) always know how to hit the audience's funny-bone dead-on. This video sketch with hostMicheal Keatonshowcased the most ill-fated skydiving attempt imaginable where everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The last thing you want to hear your skydiving instructor say is "I woke up feeling off today," and that's the least of these guys' worries. This viral hit racked up a whopping 15 million views onSaturday Night Live's TikTok account and almost another 10 million on YouTube. It's safe to say that the tale of Domingo resonated with audiences, and it's not hard to understand why. Beyond the catchy/funny reimagining ofSabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," we've all witnessed the clunky bridesmaids' speech firsthand, and this sketch starring hostAriana Grandebrilliantly captured the essence of one of those so-cringe-it's-good speeches. One of Season 50's new featured players,Jane Wickline, made her Update desk debut with a song about going to a house party and proved she's got the comedy chops to be onSNL. Throughout the ditty, she sang of raging all night long, though as it continued the audience couldn't help but wonder if she'd been missing some social queues at the gathering. She sang "DJ packs up ... because he knows we don't need music to dance / People stack up the chairs ... good idea make the dance floor bigger!" Hmm. Seems like it might have been a party of one. Related:Meet the Cast of 'SNL' Season 50 In the sequel to Season 49 "Washington's Dream," hostNate BargatzeplayedGeneral George Washingtonas he tried to rally his soldiers during the famous crossing of the Delaware River in 1776. He spun tales of what life in America would be like once they were free to create their own destiny, but his troops were more than a little puzzled by the soon-to-be president's vision of doing their "own thing" with the English language. His ideas included calling the first year of school "kindergarten" but the second "first grade" and having a special word for the number 12, but not for any others. His ideas were bold, but they seem to have stuck. It felt inevitable that the world's favorite knee-biting baby hippo,Moo Deng, would wriggle her way onto the airwaves ofSaturday Night Live, and who better to bring her to life thanBowen Yang. In the past few years he has brought us many memorable Weekend Update characters likeThe Icebergand hisimpression of Fran Lebowitz. Moo Deng had a lot to say about her newfound fame and likened her relationship with the public to that of rising starChappell Roan. "Stop harassing her and stop throwing shellfish at her! This is what society does. It puts young women on pedestals only to knock them down with shellfish!" Jean Smartis a class act, and her opening monologue on theSNL50 season premiere was a prime example of why her career spanned five decades—she hasit. She was effortlessly charming and exuded an intoxicating confidence as she sang snippets from Cole Porter's "I Happen to Like New York," working in anecdotes about her life and career, and some playful jabs at the show itself. "I thoughtSNLstood for 'Saturday Night Laughs,' but then I watched the show and I thought, 'Well, that can't be right.'" The tone of this monologue had a dreamy quality that transcended comedy and filled you with the exact nostalgia you wanted to feel in a milestone season opening. Related: Everything You Need to Know About 'SNL' Season 50 Including the Hosts and Musical Guests
