Steve Martin's SNL 50th Anniversary Show: A Funny Look at Aging and Comedy

Steve Martin started the SNL 50th anniversary special with a funny monologue. He joked about his age and how he felt like he was 65, which he said was also not good. He also made fun of SNL's long history on NBC, saying that someone born during the first season could be dead by now. He even joked about the show's signature host monologue, saying it's like a rent-controlled tenant that stinks but won't leave. Martin also joked about SNL's celebrity hosts, saying they are some of the most difficult people he has ever met. He even joked about his own monologue, saying if you don't like it, maybe you should look at yourself in the mirror and ask what you have become. He also joked about his fellow Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short, saying he was the only Canadian who wasn't in Schitt's Creek. After his monologue, the show aired a Black Jeopardy! sketch in which Eddie Murphy did a spot-on impersonation of Tracy Morgan. Kenan Thompson reprised his role as the show's host, with Leslie Jones portraying another contestant. Other segments included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler doing a bit where they took questions from audience members including Ryan Reynolds. During the Weekend Update segment, Bill Murray took a jab at SNL about current co-anchor Michael Che being the only Black anchor in the show's history. Tom Hanks introduced a tribute to SNL characters and sketches that have aged horribly, including sketches the show labeled ethnic stereotypes, sexual harassment, animal cruelty, body shaming, slut shaming, gay panic, ableism, sexism, problematic guests, questionable makeup, racial slurs and more. Other classic characters who appeared on the show included Mike Myers' Linda Richman, Kristen Wiig's Dooneese Maharelle, Marcello Hernández's Domingo, Rachel Dratch's Debbie Downer and Pete Davidson's Chad.