The 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live” marked a significant milestone for NBC, drawing in nearly 15 million viewers, making it the network’s most-watched prime-time entertainment show in the last five years. This special event, which aired on Sunday night and lasted for three and a half hours, was filled with comedy sketches, high-profile musical acts, and surprise appearances.
According to NBC, this celebration achieved the largest audience for a night-time entertainment program since the 2020 Golden Globes. The only other event that has attracted more viewers recently is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The anniversary special kicked off with an opening monologue from Paul Simon, joined by Sabrina Carpenter and Steve Martin. It showcased several notable cameos from stars like Aubrey Plaza, Meryl Streep, and Jack Nicholson, reminiscing on the show’s impressive history since its debut in October 1975. The grand finale featured a performance by Paul McCartney, leaving viewers entertained as the evening concluded with a star-studded presence on the iconic “SNL” stage.
