A Song to Start
In lieu of a comedy skit, Adam Sandler took the stage to sing a heartfelt piece while playing guitar. In the song, Sandler includes many references to SNL over the years. SNL had Adam Sandler as a cast member for five years before firing him. However, he still showed up to support the show for its 50th anniversary, along with countless other celebrities. In the song, Sandler shouted out all of the celebrities who had been part of the cast and for how long. Especially touching was his mention of Chris Farley, who passed away years ago. The song also pointed out common experiences and inside jokes among cast members, which took place in the heart of the SNL experience. Although SNL maintains its reputation as a comedy show and the 50th anniversary episode did not fall short of its reputation, Sandler’s song added a heartfelt moment amongst the laughter.
Domingo Returns
The recent Domingo sketch gained instant popularity with audiences as it featured covers of songs “Hot to Go” and “Espresso.” For the 50th anniversary episode, Domingo made his return, but with even more twists. New guests in this sketch included Sabrina Carpenter, who sang a version of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity,” Pedro Pascal, and Andy Samberg. The sketch proved hilarious and surprised viewers many times with its unpredictable twists. As a whole, the ingenious plot, charming guests, and undeniable chemistry of actors made Domingo a thrill to watch.
Area 50 (Won)
In addition to sequels of new skits, a classic skit saw its return to the SNL stage for the 50th anniversary edition. SNL’s famous Close Encounter skit returned with Meryl Streep as a new addition to the cast. In the skit, Kate McKinnon describes another odd experience with aliens, this time with her mother, played by Meryl Streep. The duo almost made fellow cast members Pedro Pascal and Woody Harrelson break character with their antics. This sequel goes to illustrate that reviving classic sketches may prove to be a brilliant move, if done correctly.
Overall, the 50th anniversary edition of SNL combined many skits and acts to create one of the best episodes yet. Celebrities flooded the cast to pay tribute to the beloved show, and the hard work put into this episode clearly paid off. From the episode, KU students may take the idea that with hard work and dedication, a new idea has the potential to blossom into something extraordinary. With continued efforts, SNL will hopefully live to see its 100th anniversary episode.