### Saturday Night Live Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Star-Studded Special

**The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live was commemorated with a three-hour celebration featuring memorable moments, celebrity reunions, and heartfelt tributes.**

This past Sunday, the iconic television show Saturday Night Live (SNL) brought together a dazzling array of stars to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a live three-hour special from Studio 8H in New York City's Rockefeller Centre. Since its premiere in October 1975, SNL has been at the forefront of American comedy, offering a platform to legends such as Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray.

**Opening the show was Sabrina Carpenter**, who delivered a duet of "Homeward Bound" alongside Paul Simon, marking a special homage to the classic song that Simon originally performed on SNL in 1976. Carpenter humorously noted that she and her parents were not yet born when that performance happened.

Musical nostalgia continued as **Nirvana reconvened** on stage with surprise guest Post Malone, who joined the surviving members to perform the band's iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Actor Adam Sandler, reflecting on Nirvana's last SNL performance with the late Kurt Cobain, added a layer of sentimentality to the moment.

Highlighting the show's penchant for satire, the anniversary special did not shy away from current events. Amid celebrity legal dramas, Ryan Reynolds participated in a humorous Q&A session, addressing the ongoing legal issues involving his co-stars, which drew laughs from the audience.

**Aubrey Plaza made a touching appearance**, honoring her late husband Jeff Baena while introducing Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard for a moving rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U." Plaza’s tie-dye shirt served as a poignant tribute to their shared love and memories.

In an unexpected moment, **Meryl Streep made her SNL debut**, portraying a character playfully reminiscent of her iconic role as Miranda Priestly, cheekily declaring, "This devil wears nada." Original cast member Garrett Morris also made a return, drawing cheers as he playfully recalled his time on the show.

The night was punctuated with humor as **Adam Sandler sang a medley** paying tribute to the show's illustrious past, mentioning some beloved cast members who have passed away. Following this, Tom Hanks introduced a light-hearted "In Memoriam" segment that poked fun at SNL sketches deemed "aged horribly," reminding the audience of the shared laughter over the years.

With performances from contemporary and past stars and plenty of nostalgia, this special commemorated a half-century of SNL’s cultural impact, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of entertainment in America.