“Lorne Michaels and the ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast and writers tried to pack 50 years of comedy into one night, but the result was a mixed bag. The special featured celebrity cameos, sketch revivals, and self-congratulatory montages that gave it an awards show feel.
The evening started slowly, with a cold open featuring pop star Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon. However, things picked up when Eddie Murphy joined for a Tracy Morgan impression in the “Black Jeopardy!” sketch, which was the highlight of the night.
Other notable performances included Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler in the “Bronx Beat” crossover sketch and Kate McKinnon’s alien abductee. But nearly every sketch could have benefited from a ruthless edit to trim down running times and fill gaps.
Despite its shortcomings, ‘SNL50’ was nostalgic and enjoyable, if not hilarious. It honored the show’s legacy past and present, but ultimately felt like an opportunity missed to create something transcendent. The special’s lack of sparkle compared to the show at its peak is a disappointment, leaving fans with more questions than answers.”
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/02/17/snl-50-anniversary-special-review/78908273007