13 Most Memorable ‘SNL 40′ Moments (Video)
NBC brought together some 60 or so big names alums of the iconic sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live,” as well as big name past hosts, guest stars and celebrity fans.
It served as an exhaustive look at how the show has marked the last four decades of American pop culture — from music to politics.
Here’s the best moments from the three-and-a-half hour event:
1.) Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s kick off the night.
The special launched with a retrospective song and dance number reuniting Jimmy Fallon — its kid wonder of the late-90s/Early 2000s, who currently hosts the “The Tonight Show — and Justin Timberlake — a member of the show’s Five-Timers Club, at least a couple of them when he played both host and musical guest — in which they did a quick series of “SNL” character impersonations.
Rachel Dratch and Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher also dropped in on the number.
See photos: ‘SNL’s’ Greatest Hosts: Beloved Tina Fey, Game-Changing Justin Timberlake, Classic Richard Pryor
2.) Steve Martin is our master of tomfoolery.
Steve Martin was given the incredible job of the “SNL 40″ monologue. Surprisingly, Martin was never an actual “SNL” cast member, although he has guest starred about 30 times in the 1970s and having hosted 15 times. Martin compared the special to a high school reunion for a school “that is almost all white.” He also paid tribute to the cast members who are no longer with us — John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Jon Lovitz, whose death came as a surprise to the show’s 80s alum sitting in the front row.
American treasure Tom Hanks interrupted the monologue after taking offense to Martin’s proclamation that comedians have been the backbone of the show. Then Alec Baldwin wondered why Martin was given the job of the opening monologue, despite the fact that he has hosted the most times of anyone. Melissa McCarthy would drop him to bring attention to “hosts who aren’t men over 80.” And Chris Rock would add “what about hosts who were part of the cast?” And then, Peyton Manning for sports figures? Miley Cyrus for singers? Billy Crystal for those who have excelled on the Broadway stage? And Paul McCartney and Paul Simon for men named “Paul”?
OK, we get it NBC, “SNL” has not only featured, but launched many big stars.
See photos: ‘SNL’s’ 40 Most Hilarious Sketches
3.) Before they were players.
The show then gives an amazing look at its cast members (and those who probably should’ve been cast) in a reel of “SNL” audition tapes. They include an impressive list: Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Amy Poehler, Dana Carvey, Cheri Oteri, Bill Hader, Dana Carvey, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, Phil Hartmann, among many others — they had to start somewhere, right? It’s seriously amazing to see these huge stars in the beginning, hungry and hilarious.
4.) Betty White and Bradley Cooper make out.
As a Californian who went to school in New York City, I have a good sense of what New Yorkers think of those of us from California. All That was captured in the special’s soap opera spoof, “The Californians.” In addition to several alums, Bradley Cooper, Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift and Betty White joined in on the valley-talking, direction-giving, bleached blonde of it all. Spoiler alert: Cooper’s pool boy is always the guilty one.
5.) A “Weekend Update” power play
Wow. We’re then served up a power “Weekend Update” with former anchors Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin! Curtin got a jab in at Fox News! And there was a star-studded assembly of stars doing their favorite Weekend Update guests: Emma Stone as Roseanne Roseannadanna, and epic tribute to Stefon from Edward Norton with tips from Hader and a tiff with his “husband,” Seth Meyers. We were also treated with Melissa McCarthy’s take on Chris Farley’s motivational speaker Matt Foley — perfection.
Also Read: ‘SNL’s’ Kenan Thompson Spoofs Al Sharpton to His Face
6.) “SNL’s” musical stylings
Martin Short and Maya Rudolph’s Beyonce played the MC’s of the sketch show’s numerous musical acts. Everyone from Armisen and Kristen Wiig’s “Garth and Kat,” Bill Murray‘s “Jaws” theme song, Steve Martin’s King Tut, and Jim Belushi and Dan Akroyd’s Blues Brothers.
7.) Chris Rock pays tribute to Eddie Murphy.
Rock explained how seeing Murphy on “SNL” showed him that comedy wasn’t just something that would send you to the principal’s office, it could also be a career. He recounted some of Murphy’s greatest moments, including a time when the show was short and Murphy was asked to stretch the show. He did that with a simple “your mama” joke.
“Eddie hosted the show while he was still a cast member,” Rock pointed out. “I’m sure the rest of the cast loved that.”
Murphy was very gracious and expressed how happy he was to be there not only to celebrate what he had done three decades before. Marred by a little timing issue at the end, Murphy proved Rock right by improving until the producers caught up.
Also Read: SNL Documentary ‘Live From New York!’ to Open Tribeca Film Festival
8.) Miley Cyrus honors Paul Simon, makes Fred Armisen part of the band.
In a surprisingly controlled performance of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” Cyrus showed great respect to the singer who first served as “SNL’s” host and musical guest. Cyrus and many other musicians would follow with double duty on the show. Also, Armisen got into the action on the tambourine.
9.) Jerry Seinfeld rules the Q&A.
Aside from making John Goodman cry, zinging Brian Williams, confusing James Franco, dashing Sarah Palin’s future election plans and trying to defend “SNL’s” and “Seinfeld’s” records for hiring black women, we got to see him and Larry David pat themselves on the back for their hit comedy — before TV went to pot.
10.) WTF was that Kanye West performance?
The rapper started with a performance of “Jesus Walks” while lying on the floor. He then got up to do a sliver of “Only One.” And finally, he went to all fours to perform “Wolves” with rapper Vic Mensa and, yes, Sia was under that crazy white wig. Um, kay.
See photos: ‘SNL’s’ 40 Most Iconic Characters: From the Blues Brothers to Stefon
11.) Lorne likes a break.
Sometimes, they’re just too funny and they’re only human. Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg united to create a new short film celebrating those times the cast members just couldn’t help but laugh — called the “break.” You know the giggle are contagious — no matter how unfunny a sketch is. And, by the way, creator Lorne Michaels loves a good break.
12.) Jon Lovitz is still dead.
A lot of reasons to love “SNL’s” tribute to those who have died over its four decades. First, it recognized production crew, the unsung many who get very little attention for what they do to get entertainment to us. What was touching were the reactions from the audience as they saw the late crew members’ who were family to them when they were on the show. And, of course, it was great to see them tie back into Steve Martin’s monologue by including Jon Lovitz in the memoriam.
13.) “Wayne’s World” is still schwing-ing.
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey reprised the roles that took off into their own film franchise, but never forgot their Aurora, Illinois roots. The most awesome part was how they continued to taunt Kanye West in the audience. Who wouldn’t be behind irritating Kanye?
Related stories from TheWrap:
'SNL's' Greatest Hosts: Beloved Tina Fey, Game-Changing Justin Timberlake, Classic Richard Pryor
'SNL 40': Inside the NBC Sketch Show's Roaring Ratings Highs and Looming Lows
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