Top 10 Times Someone Broke on SNL50: The Anniversary Special

“50th Monologue”

Throughout its 50-year history, Steve Martin has hosted “SNL” a whopping 16 times. Actually, it might be 17 times now since Martin did the monologue for the “50th Anniversary Special.” Does that mean he’s officially tied Alex Baldwin for the all-time record? In any case, Martin set a tone for this landmark episode, receiving help from John Mulaney and Martin Short, the latter of whom thought they were co-hosting. Never one to share the spotlight for long, Martin calls upon U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to haul his old buddy back to Canada. As Short starts to name names off-screen, Martin struggles to hide his growing smile before getting back to business. It’s just a small taste of a night filled with breaks.

“Audience Q&A”

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler take this opportunity to answer a few questions, opening the floor to an inquisitive, star-studded audience. Quinta Brunson, who hosted the show in 2023, was the first to be called upon. The “Abbott Elementary” creator has a bizarrely specific, long-winded question for former cast member Tim Meadows. Despite getting through most of the bit unfazed, Brunson noticeably cracks up a little as she begins to ask Meadows her question about a 1993 episode. It doesn’t last long, but Brunson has to repeat a line before getting back on track. In case you were wondering, “SNL” didn’t air a show on March 18, 1993, and Sade performed on November 21, 1992. Every “SNL” superfan knows that, Quinta.

“Bill Murray Ranks His Best Weekend Update Anchors of All Time”

Returning to the news desk, Bill Murray provides his rank of the best “Weekend Update” hosts. We seem to recall a certain YouTube channel already doing the definitive Top 10 on this subject, but there’s always room for another. Although Murray excludes himself from the competition, he makes things awkward for current anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. After putting Che in a league of his own, Murray trolls a giggling Jost by placing another Colin at #10. While Murray maintains his signature deadpan delivery throughout, Jost chuckles every time his predecessor teases him. Murray saves the best for last. No, not Colin Jost. His brother Brian Doyle-Murray claims the top spot (and Scarlett Johansson’s heart), which Jost takes in jest.

“New York 50th Musical”

The anniversary special features what might be the most extravagant iteration of the “Diner Lobster” sketch, which is saying a lot. In this version, John Mulaney’s hotdog vendor takes Pete Davidson and David Spade on a trip across New York’s past five decades. Along the way, audience members like Kevin Costner and Jenna Ortega get caught in the middle, eventually surrendering to the laughter and insanity. Although Costner and Ortega technically weren’t performing in the sketch, Sarah Sherman was, playing former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. It’s not the most spot-on impression, which Mulaney sarcastically points out. As Mulaney walks on to the next political caricature, Sherman looks down with the biggest smile. Even her wig and makeup can’t hide that infectious grin.

“Black Jeopardy”

Kenan Thompson is back hosting “Black Jeopardy” as Darnell Hayes. This time, the contestants include Leslie Jones as a woman named Shanice, Tracy Morgan as a guy named Darius, and Eddie Murphy as… Tracy Morgan. The real Morgan manages to keep it together (at first). Yet, Murphy’s impersonation inevitably gets to Jones, who has a history of breaking. After Murphy makes a crack about Steve Harvey, Jones loses it, practically collapsing over the desk with laughter. Rather than allow her room to breathe, Murphy doubles down on his impression, causing Jones to laugh even harder. Morgan also gives in to the hilarity, but nobody finds Murphy’s impression funnier than Jones. Although Shanice hasn’t seen “SNL,” we have a feeling she might like it.

“Debbie Downer: Bar”

“SNL50” was a night of celebration. Only one person could possibly spoil it, and unfortunately, she was tending bar. Ever since Debbie Downer made her debut over two decades ago, her sketches have gained a reputation for breaking the whole cast. Rachel Dratch didn’t disappoint with her character’s long-awaited return. Robert De Niro, of all people, is the first to show a chink in the armor, barely containing a smirk when Debbie lands on the topic of microplastics. Dratch also can’t help but grin as De Niro wraps his hands around her throat. Of course, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the most prominent break comes from Jimmy Fallon, who gets a case of the teehees when Debbie repeats a familiar line.

“Adam Sandler’s Song: 50 Years”

Speaking of cast members who aren’t exactly known for keeping a straight face, Adam Sandler played a song that balanced humor, heart, and nostalgia. The bittersweet performance wasn’t without a few breaks, but genuine moments like these just go to show how much “SNL” means to Sandler. He laughs at some of his own lyrics, stumbling over one joke about an anti-semitic musician. Sandler smiles again upon questioning who Lorne Michaels’ successor will be. It’s Speedy Rosenthal from the music department, by the way. For all the laughs, the song builds to an emotional finale as Sandler pays tribute to the numerous stars who have kept “SNL” going for 50 years, getting visibly choked up remembering the late Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald.

“Weekend Update: Drunk Uncle”

Who’d’ve guessed that The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With would have a baby with Drunk Uncle? Actually, that makes too much sense. Aside from becoming a Drunk Father, Bobby Moynihan’s character hasn’t changed much. For starters, his inebriated rambling still has a way of cracking up Colin Jost. From the moment Drunk Uncle rolls up to the “Weekend Update” desk, Jost is already laughing. Drunk Uncle doesn’t just know how to push Colin’s buttons. He knows how to rip them off his jacket too, sparking what might be Jost’s biggest and most unexpected laugh of the night. For a second, it looks like Moynihan might break too, but it’s merely Drunk Uncle wallowing in tears.

“Close Encounter 50th”

If there’s one recurring sketch guaranteed to break at least one cast member, it’s “Close Encounter.” Ryan Gosling sadly isn’t present, but Pedro Pascal is another easy target for Kate McKinnon’s Miss Rafferty. Crumbling under hysterical pressure, Pascal does his best to look away from the camera as McKinnon goes for the groin. Woody Harrelson is a touch more restrained, although you can see him doing everything in his power not to bust a gut. The sketch is as unhinged as ever, but it’s taken into overdrive with the arrival of Miss Rafferty’s mom, played by Meryl Streep in her “SNL” debut. From this point on, all bets are off as Streep and McKinnon make for a chaotic duo. We need more of this pairing!

“Scared Straight”

What could be funnier than Kenan Thompson and Eddie Murphy scaring a few troublemakers straight? How about if you throw Will Ferrell into the mix? As a duo, Thompson and Murphy came close to breaking, but otherwise kept their cool. Once Ferrell and his short shorts made it a trio, it was only a matter of time until the sketch went off the rails. Thompson covers his mouth while trying not to look directly at Ferrell. While Murphy stays in character for the most part, he finally cracks when Ferrell seemingly flubs a line about Buddy the Elf. Thompson breaks as well while Ferrell fights against his instincts to join in the laughter. By the end, there wasn’t a straight face in the house.

What was your favorite part of “SNL50?” Let us know in the comments.