15 Million Viewed 'SNL' 50th Anniversary Special-LIVE

NBC’s 50th-anniversary special for Saturday Night Live was a ratings smash, drawing nearly 15 million viewers and becoming the network’s most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in five years. The 3½-hour Sunday night extravaganza was filled with iconic comedy sketches, superstar musical performances, and plenty of unexpected celebrity cameos.

Steve Martin, one of the show’s longest-running hosts and guests since its debut season in 1975, opened the show with a monologue that blended nostalgia with his signature wit. “When Lorne [Michaels] asked me to do the monologue, I was vacationing on a friend’s boat down on the Gulf of Steve Martin,” he joked, setting the tone for a celebratory night.

Joining him on stage were former SNL favourites and frequent hosts Martin Short and John Mulaney. The night also featured appearances from major Hollywood stars like Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, who have made memorable guest appearances on the show over the years.

Paul McCartney delivered an epic closing performance, capping off an evening dedicated to the rich history of SNL, which premiered on October 11, 1975. The original cast—featuring comedy legends like John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner—helped lay the foundation for a show that remains a cultural touchstone half a century later.

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After months of build-up and celebration, the anniversary special was a testament to SNL’s enduring influence on comedy, music, and pop culture. With a mix of past and present, the night honoured the show’s legacy while still embracing the future.