- “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” aired on Sunday to celebrate 50 years of “Saturday Night Live.”
- The star-studded event featured live performances, sketches, and references to current events.
- Ryan Reynolds made a veiled nod to his legal drama, and Aubrey Plaza paid tribute to her late husband.
“Saturday Night Live” celebrated half a century of existence with a primetime special that featured all the show’s favorite tricks: celebrity cameos, impressions, character revivals, musical performances, and clever references to current events.
The beloved sketch comedy show aired its first episode on October 11, 1975. Sunday’s anniversary special — broadcast live from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, as always — saw the return of many original castmembers, including Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris, as well as alums like Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph.
Here are five details you may have missed from the star-studded event.
Ryan Reynolds made a veiled reference to the ‘It Ends With Us’ drama
During a question-and-answer bit hosted by “SNL” veterans Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds stood up.
“Ryan! How’s it going?” Fey said.
“Great!” He replied. “Why, what have you heard?”
Blake Lively, his wife, was sitting next to him and pretended to be surprised by his answer.
The joke appeared to be a reference to the couple’s ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, Lively’s costar on “It Ends With Us.”
Aubrey Plaza paid tribute to her late husband with her outfit
Aubrey Plaza, who hosted her first show in January 2023, introduced the anniversary special’s musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. She wore a tie-dye shirt underneath a black blazer, a tribute to her late husband, Jeff Baena, who died on January 3, 2025.
When Plaza appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in December 2021, she explained Baena’s interest in tie-dye led to their unique wedding outfits.
“Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine,” she said. “So, I decided that Jeff and I were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that he had made for us.”
Kim Kardashian appeared to ignore her ex-boyfriend, Pete Davidson
PopCrave posted a video of “SNL” regular Pete Davidson talking with some of the other celebrity guests who attended the show. The footage showed a potentially awkward moment, as Kim Kardashian appeared to ignore her ex-boyfriend when walking past him.
In the short clip, Davidson then follows the people walking behind her. It’s not clear whether they spoke afterward.
The pair dated for nine months between October 2021 and August 2022 before their amicable breakup.
Jack Nicholson made his first on-screen appearance in 10 years
Jack Nicholson, who’s best known for films like “The Shining” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” was also in attendance. It marked his first on-screen appearance in a decade after the “SNL” 40th anniversary in 2015.
He introduced Adam Sandler, his “Happy Gilmore” costar, who sang a song about the show. At the start of his performance, Sandler said, “Let’s hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight. Love you, brother.”
Bill Hader did not return for the anniversary
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Bill Hader starred on “SNL” for eight years between 2005 and 2013, and many expected him to return for the 50th anniversary. However, the comedian was absent from the show.
A representative for Hader told Business Insider that he was not in attendance due to “a longstanding schedule conflict.”
Fans voiced their disappointment online, as many wanted to see him reprise his role as Stefon, the memorable party correspondent on “Weekend Update.”
Hader did, however, make one pre-taped appearance tied to the “SNL” anniversary, appearing in revival of “The Californians” sketch with costars Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen as part of a Volkswagen ad.
