New York, USA – Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a spectacular three-hour special, honouring the iconic sketch show that has shaped comedy since its debut in 1975.

Broadcast live from Studio 8H at NBC’s Rockefeller Center, the event brought together past and present cast members, with Steve Martin kicking off the night alongside John Mulaney and Martin Short. Classic sketches were revived with modern twists, including Eddie Murphy’s take on Black Jeopardy and a fresh instalment of Kate McKinnon’s alien abduction sketch, featuring Pedro Pascal and Meryl Streep.

Musical highlights included Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon’s duet of Homeward Bound and Miley Cyrus’ emotional performance of Nothing Compares 2 U. Adam Sandler also performed a tribute to late SNL legends Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald, introduced by Jack Nicholson to a standing ovation.

Founded by Lorne Michaels, SNL has launched the careers of comedy greats such as Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell while setting the standard for live television satire. As it enters its next chapter, the show’s golden anniversary cements its place as one of television’s most influential programmes.