SNL 50

[BmillsSkier]

I thought it was a completely enjoyable trip down memory lane. The awesome 90s casts were always my generation but I also loved the older casts and came to appreciate the ones that followed just as much. It was fun people spotting in the crowd to see who was there and who wasnt. Notable absences were Dana Carvey and Dan Akroyd which was odd because Carvey has been making appearances almost regularly in the past year playing Biden and Akroyd was sharing positive SNL stuff on socials leading up to the event. Star of the show was Bill Murray who got in so many good wry comments in a 10 minute bit ranking the Weekend Update anchors, best of which was a dig on Chevy Chase stating that he couldn't possibly put such a talent any higher than 4th place lol. I was extremely surprised to see Chase in attendance on the stage at the end even if he was looking like Ebineezer Scrooge, I guess all that bitterness is catching up to him. Anyway, if you saw it whatd you think?

[seano732]

<p>
I thought it was awesome. Trip down memory lane for sure....</p>

[Tele 'til You're Smelly]

Watched the first episode from 1975 that they replayed Saturday night- some real half-baked skits there (near literally- they started well enough and then sort of just ended without any pay-off). I know they got better over the first 5-year run but it confirms that they were not always so great. The Billy Preston & Janis Ian performances were the best parts. George Carlin as host was meh (but I can see where Jerry Seinfeld got his -what is the deal with socks/dogs/whatever- bit)

Of all the specials they are doing the 4-part documentary (https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/peac...-date-episodes ) has been the most interesting so far if you are interested in more than just memory lane stuff- the whole episode devoted to the -more cowbell- sketch is great

[mcski]

Absolutely phenomenal show. Everyone brought their A game. Innumerable funny call backs and references made it a really enjoyable watch

I wondered about Ackroyd missing as well and hope he’s doing ok

Sandler getting a little choked up during his song was sweet. That guy is a true mensch

I’m still processing the show, there was so much good material and moments it’s hard to pick a favorite

One of the best SNL efforts of all time for sure

[BmillsSkier]

It's been fun having people chat about the show around the office today because there has been more than a handful of really funny callbacks that I didnt catch the first time around or forgot about and missed as they were delivered.

Watching the cast members completely lose it laughing in many of those old skits and ruin the delivery still makes me smile (see: anything Farley or Hartman).

[BmillsSkier]

Its also spurred a fun conversation here and on the radio today: what is your top 5 SNL skits from these past 50 years?

Its a harder proposition than youd imagine but think I would have to go:

5. Hartman as Bill Clinton in McDonalds

4. Cowbell with Ferrell

3. Celebrity Jeopardy with Norm as Burt Reynolds

2. Dick in a Box with Samberg and Timberlake

1. Chippendales Audition with Swayze and Farley

[seano732]

That’s a solid list. The recent Beavis and Butthead skit kills me every time, and yes Sandlers song last night made it feel a little dusty at my house

[Cisco Kid]

1975. Flannels shirts peasant tops and jeans. Screaming Yellow Zonkers and Boons Farm. $15/oz Mexican. HooRah!! I taped it to watch again. The video/audio multi artist mashup in the 50 years of SNL music show was masterful to show how far it's come from the brick wall background.

[bennymac]

Its also spurred a fun conversation here and on the radio today: what is your top 5 SNL skits from these past 50 years?

Its a harder proposition than youd imagine but think I would have to go:

5. Hartman as Bill Clinton in McDonalds

4. Cowbell with Ferrell

3. Celebrity Jeopardy with Norm as Burt Reynolds

2. Dick in a Box with Samberg and Timberlake

1. Chippendales Audition with Swayze and Farley

So hard to pick but yeah that’s a great list of gems

[BmillsSkier]

It would be hard enough just trying to put a top 5 list together using only the fake commercials.

I was so pleased to see Happy Fun Ball get a shoutout.

[skaredshtles]

Pretty solid list - but ima have to put the Schwedy Balls skit in the top 5.

Schmitts Gay beer commercial would be in my top-5 commercials.

[BmillsSkier]

“But wait till you see the pool”

LOL

[Thaleia]

This life long SNL fan is looking forward to rewatching it, I only saw the last half hour or so.

Solid list Bmills.

Got me thinking about all of the various legendary characters they created, I will pick a handful of random favourites:

The Blues Brothers

Velvet Jones

The Bills Superfans

the Wild and Crazy Guys

Matt Foley

Wayne and Garthand

the Im Chillin guys

[BmillsSkier]

Lol at Velvet Jones. There was a time in HS where that nickname got some mileage with my circle of friends.

That’s the hard thing I think; to know there’s so many great characters, and even fewer great sketches. Hard to pick one over the other or find where they intersect.

[skaredshtles]

Ed Grimley was a pretty underrated character, IMO.

Velvet Jones was a classic. As was Matt Foley.

[mcski]

Its also spurred a fun conversation here and on the radio today: what is your top 5 SNL skits from these past 50 years?

Its a harder proposition than youd imagine but think I would have to go:

5. Hartman as Bill Clinton in McDonalds

4. Cowbell with Ferrell

3. Celebrity Jeopardy with Norm as Burt Reynolds

2. Dick in a Box with Samberg and Timberlake

1. Chippendales Audition with Swayze and Farley

Those are all definitely funnier and hold up better but at the time and moment, the word association skit when Chase says nigger to Pryor and Pryor replies DEAD Honky has got to be up there in monumental moments. I was a little disapointed they bleeped it last night. It felt a little like someone censoring Huckleberry Finn

My list would also include

Ackroyd as Julia Child

Hader doing Stefan

Norm on update - OJ riffs and his joke about not hiring women writers on the show

Toons the Cat

Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer

[bennymac]

Rolling stone magazine website has been doing lists of top 50 characters and top 50 commercials etc. I think Happy Fun Ball and Stefan were number 1 on those lists - but yeah how could you ever rank these things - so much great material.

[BmillsSkier]

That Chase/Pryor Word Association skit was written by Pryor's personal writer, the only black writer in the room apparently - they wanted people to laugh because they were so uncomfortable. Lot of talk about that one today as well and it was roundly appreciated by many very sharp comedians and writers. I think it's #1 on that Rolling Stone list as well.

[Iowagriz]

I really enjoyed the past 3 nights of shows and am hoping to see them all again as reruns on Peacock. Hopefully, I can view them with subtitles as I'm old...

[k2skier112]

My list would include the alien abduction skit. As far as underwear, this devil wears nadda With our carpets and tar pits on full display

Best SNL ever

[Rideski]

Chebuga chegurga

Van down by the river

Coneheads

Haven't seen the show yet hope we can scroll it back on apple tv

[mcski]

Eddie Murphy playing Tracy Morgan next to Tracy Morgan on Black Jeopardy was solid. Murphy nailed it

[warthog]

I only eat 4 cheese lasagna.

[hooked]

I hate to be Debbie Downer but I was not a fan of Will Ferrell's segments. He just seemed off to me compared to his prime. Also, rather than recent skits that aren't that great (looking at you Domingo), I would have preferred revisiting some of the legendary ones from the 80's and 90's and including new cast members. Kind of hard to do the best ones without Phil Hartman and Chris Farley though. Total bastard airlines, Gumby, Brian Fellows, Roxbury, etc. could have killed with the right cameos. Also, Father Guido Sarducci during Weekend Update would have been better than Lorne's 2 best friends.

[Tele 'til You're Smelly]

Watched the first half last night- like most episodes it was hit and miss, as it should be (I am a huge fan of the show). Best bits I thought so far: Eddy Murphy perfectly imitating Tracy Morgan in Black Jeopardy, the anxiety digital short from Bowen Yang and Andy Samburg, Chad with Lorraine Newman