**Cheers to 50 Years: Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of Saturday Night Live**

**The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live brought together a spectacular lineup of stars, sketches, and tributes, showcasing the enduring influence of this comedy institution.**

The iconic comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrated its golden anniversary with a three-hour live special, SNL50, at Studio 8H in New York City's Rockefeller Center. The event, filled with beloved stars and memorable performances, recognized the show's impressive history since its debut in October 1975, which famously launched the careers of numerous comedic legends, from Eddie Murphy to Bill Murray.

Highlights from the night illustrated the diversity and richness of SNL's legacy. One of the standout moments was actress and singer Sabrina Carpenter teaming up with Paul Simon for a nostalgic duet of "Homeward Bound," a hit originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel. Simon, a familiar face on the show since 1976, added a touch of whimsy as Carpenter humorously noted that neither she nor her parents were alive during the song's initial launch.

A thrilling reunion occurred when Nirvana took the stage, featuring a surprise appearance by Post Malone. The iconic band, now comprising surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear, played their classic anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit," while Adam Sandler shared fond memories of their last performance with frontman Kurt Cobain.

The evening also included some sharp humor poking fun at current celebrity drama. Amidst ongoing legal troubles involving Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds made a lighthearted appearance during a Q&A session alongside Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Upon being questioned about his well-being, Reynolds quipped about the curiosity surrounding his personal affairs.

Actress Aubrey Plaza marked a poignant return to the public eye while introducing Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, performing Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U." Plaza wore a tie-dye shirt in tribute to her late husband, Jeff Baena, who passed away earlier this year.

Meryl Streep also brought the audience to a chuckle with her first-ever SNL appearance, playfully flirting with Pedro Pascal in a sketch and humorously referencing her famous role in "The Devil Wears Prada."

Among other nostalgic moments, original cast member Garrett Morris made a triumphant return, reminiscing about his time on the show and getting a heartwarming cheer from the audience.

The highlight reel continued with the return of the viral character Domingo, interwoven with a comedic storyline featuring musician Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal. Additionally, Kim Kardashian graced the stage, performing in an updated sketch with former cast members Ana Gasteyer, Kristen Wiig, and Scarlett Johansson.

To cap the night off, Adam Sandler performed a heartfelt tribute to the show’s rich history in a comedic song, remembering both living legends and those who have sadly passed, like Chris Farley and Gilda Radner.

Tom Hanks humorously closed the show with a faux tribute segment titled "In Memoriam," spotlighting SNL sketches that have not aged well and sarcastically challenging the audience instead of the show's creators.

As the curtain closes on the SNL50 special, the impact of Saturday Night Live as a cultural phenomenon endures, blending laughter with nostalgia and bringing together generations of fans and comedians alike.