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At the SNL50 anniversary festivities over the weekend, a lot of beloved Saturday Night Live characters returned to the show for the first time in years — including Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer’s Marty and Bobbi Mohan-Culp, who performed a memorable rendition of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” during the concert special Friday (Feb. 14).
But in an interview with People published Monday (Feb. 17), the actress revealed that she and her duet partner weren’t initially certain whether they should incorporate the Billboard Hot 100-topping Drake diss track into the skit. “We went back and forth,” Gasteyer told the publication.
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“We were like … it’s song of the year, obviously,” she continued, referring to Dot’s recent song and record of the year wins for “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammys. “The thing about the Culps is they’re just trying to stay current and they want to reach their students where they are. So, song of the year.”
The fictional married couple indeed got the crowd laughing as Ferrell performed Lamar’s famous rap nearly word for word while Gasteyer sang its repeating four-note string hook opera-style. During the sketch, the Culps also put their own spins on songs by Doechii, Britney Spears, Megan Thee Stallion, Chappell Roan and more.
After finishing “Not Like Us,” the Elf star asked the crowd in character, “Are Kenny Lamar and Drake Graham in the house, by the way? Maybe you two can hug it out tonight in the name of love and fellowship.”
“We always kind of start with the premise, which is Valentine’s Day and love, and then naturally, because of the feuding, it was sort of like, you have to have the contrast,” Gasteyer added of the cover. “So, it was just fun to write, and ridiculous.”
The concert kicked off a weekend full of 50th-anniversary celebrations for Saturday Night Live, with the musical show also featuring performances from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Ms. Lauryn Hill with Wyclef Jean, the Backstreet Boys and more. Two days later, SNL hosted a red carpet and live special, which saw Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Rachel Dratch, Tom Hanks, Adam Sandler and more all-stars return to the 30 Rock stage for skits and music, and included appearances from musicians such as Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter.
Of sliding right back into her iconic character alongside Ferrell, Gasteyer told People, “It is just the most comfortable, familiar — I wish I had better words to describe it.”
BE@RBRICK, a music-driven, CG-animated comedy series based on the collectible figures from Medicom Toy, is premiering globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, March 21. Timbaland, the Billboard chart-topping and Grammy Award-winning producer, is executive music producer on the show, which is produced and animated by DreamWorks Animation and Dentsu Inc. Featuring original songs, the series […]
Singer-songwriter BD.ii walked onto The Voice stage with quiet confidence, but the moment he began singing Miguel’s “Adorn,” it was clear he was a standout contender.
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His smooth, controlled delivery and effortless stage presence captivated the audience—and the coaches, who wasted no time turning their chairs.
Michael Bublé was the first to hit his button, recognizing BD.ii’s undeniable vocal ability. Kelsea Ballerini quickly followed, with John Legend and Adam Levine completing the four-chair turn. However, Levine was in for a surprise when he realized he had been blocked by Ballerini, leaving him visibly frustrated.
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“I’m a sad, sad man, because you are world-class. You’re a badass,” Levine added as the other coaches laughed.
BD.ii, an Atlanta native whose singing career took off after an injury ended his basketball aspirations, delivered a version of “Adorn” that felt fresh yet true to its original essence. His tone, phrasing, and natural charisma made an immediate impact, prompting Bublé to make an impassioned pitch.
“He’s not the threat. I’m the threat,” Bublé joked. “We’re about to help grow the population of America with that voice.”
Ballerini emphasized her versatility as a coach, stating, “I am actively having crossover songs, for other artists and with other artists. I don’t believe in boxes.”
But it was Legend who ultimately secured BD.ii for his team, pointing out his personal connection to the song’s original artist. “I’ve written with Miguel,” Legend said. “You made it sexier, made it cooler.” With that, BD.ii made his decision. “Imma go with my boy John,” he announced, sealing the deal as Legend celebrated and Levine processed his disappointment.
Miguel’s “Adorn” became a defining track of modern R&B, spending 23 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and winning the Grammy for Best R&B Song. The track, featured on Kaleidoscope Dream, also peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With his undeniable talent and Legend’s guidance, BD.ii is already emerging as one of the season’s most promising contestants.
Watch BDii’s performance below.
Paul McCartney made a grand return to Saturday Night Live for its SNL50: The Anniversary Special, delivering a stirring performance of the Abbey Road medley, “Golden Slumbers” / “Carry That Weight” / “The End.”
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The former Beatle, who was a musical guest on the show in 1980, 1993, 2010 and 2012 and made cameos in 2006, 2013 and 2015, also previously appeared on SNL’s 40th anniversary special. The legendary rocker again took the stage at Studio 8H on Sunday night (Feb. 16), closing out the three-hour event with a historic nod to one of the most celebrated albums in rock history.
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McCartney’s appearance followed a star-studded night of musical performances, including Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and a surprise duet from Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter.
Lil Wayne performed with The Roots and DJ T. Lewis for his performance, which opened with the 2018 single “Uproar,” and saw Weezy run through other tunes from his Tha Carter series of albums, including his lone Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper as a solo artist “Lollipop”, followed by “6 Foot 7 Foot” and “Mrs. Officer”. The night also featured an unexpected SNL moment when Nirvana joined Post Malone for a performance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
The 50th anniversary of SNL also brings about one of rock’s most legendary what-ifs: the time McCartney and John Lennon nearly reunited on the show.
In 1976, SNL creator Lorne Michaels famously offered The Beatles $3,000 to reunite during the show’s first season. Lennon later recalled in a Playboy interview that he and McCartney were watching the show together that night at Lennon’s apartment in The Dakota and briefly considered making a surprise appearance. “We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired,” Lennon admitted. “We went, ‘Ha-ha, wouldn’t it be funny if we went down?’ But we didn’t.”
Though that reunion never happened, McCartney’s SNL history remains rich. Beyond his musical performances, he’s been a frequent comedic guest, appearing in sketches over the years—including a memorable bit with Chris Farley in which the late comedian nervously interviewed him on The Chris Farley Show.
McCartney’s latest appearance at SNL 50 comes as he continues to celebrate The Beatles’ lasting legacy. In 2023, The Beatles scored their first No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Now and Then,” a long-lost track featuring Lennon’s vocals. The song also topped Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart and became the band’s 35th Hot 100 top 10 hit.
SNL50: The Anniversary Special aired on Sunday, Feb. 16 on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock.
Lil Wayne has joined the eclectic roster of musical guests to share a career-spanning singles medley on Sunday night’s (Feb. 16) SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Wayne was joined by The Roots and DJ T. Lewis for his performance, which opened with 2018 single Uproar, and saw Weezy run through other tunes from his Tha Carter […]
If you need someone to put the perfect words into song, just call Adam Sandler. The movie star, who got his start as a Saturday Night Live castmember from 1991 to 1995, returned to his 30 Rock stomping grounds on Sunday night (Feb. 16) for SNL50: The Anniversary Special, pulling out his trusty acoustic guitar […]
Miley Cyrus teamed up with Brittany Howard to cover “Nothing Compares 2 U,” the Prince-written hit made famous by Sinéad O’Connor, on Sunday night’s (Feb. 16) SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Cyrus and Howard belted the song, with the Alabama Shakes frontwoman offering some extra soulfulness on the guitar for the powerful cover. O’Connor famously brought […]
Sabrina Carpenter not only opened SNL50, but was a guest star in the newest SNL sketch to feature Domingo, a recurring character that cast member Marcello Hernandez has become known for on the comedy show.
After singing “Homeward Bound” beautifully in a duet with Paul Simon at the start of Sunday night’s (Feb. 16) special, Carpenter sang … not as beautifully at her friend Kelsey’s (Chloe Fineman) less-than-one-year vow renewal celebration with Matt (Andrew Dismukes).
Martin Short and Molly Shannon started the bit with a speech from the bride’s parents, welcoming all to their $70,000 party with an open bar at the Best Western.
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“Kelsey and Matt, may you have a marriage as loving and passionate as Daddy and me,” Shannon drunkenly said before making out with Short.
Carpenter, whose “Espresso” was actually featured in the very first sketch that introduced Domingo (on the Oct. 12, 2024 episode) then cut in: “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Sophie, the bride’s childhood bestie. I couldn’t make it to the wedding because I was unfortunately in prison.”
Then she invited up the rest of the bride’s squad to sing, instead of doing a speech, as these ladies do.
Apparently Kelsey and her friends went to New York, got blackout drunk and saw Wicked, so of course their first song was to the tune of “Defying Gravity,” just with replacement lyrics about finally learning to try monogamy.
The next parody to make their set was to the tune of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” except with lyrics all about the beloved Domingo, who suddenly showed up and joined in.
“What she’s looking for/ Is the hung Latin guy,” he sang, even getting a shoutout from Kelsey’s mom and dad.
Matt’s groomsmen took the floor next, and bringing the tune of Carpenter’s “Espresso” back to the sketch series, they sang about a local staycation in Scottsdale and a secret new flame in Matt’s life: Ronaldo (Pedro Pascal), who turns out to be Domingo’s brother. And Bad Bunny is also their brother — the “hot” one, Santiago!
The three-hour SNL anniversary special aired live from New York City on NBC and Peacock beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Sunday. Watch the latest Domingo sketch below.
Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon performed a duet of “Homeward Bound” to kick off SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday night (Feb. 16). The song reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 in 1966, when it was originally recorded by Simon & Garfunkel and released on the duo’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album — but Simon once sang it with George Harrison on an episode of Saturday Night Live.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sabrina,” Simon said, introducing the Short n’ Sweet pop star to the live audience in Studio 8H.
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“This is the one and only Paul Simon,” Carpenter said.
“I sang this song with George Harrison on Saturday night live in 1976,” recalled Simon.
“I was not born then, and neither were my parents,” Carpenter, who would later appear in a sketch, quipped. (The 25-year-old singer was born in May 1999.)
Simon started the song, with Carpenter coming in at the end of verse one, harmonizing at the lyric “My suitcase and guitar in hand/ And every stop is neatly planned/ For a poet and a one-man band.” They continued to sing together through the chorus. Carpenter took lead on verse two, but swapped the line “cigarettes and magazines” for a rewrite: “airport lounges and magazines.”
Steve Martin, following their performance with a short opening monologue that Martin Short popped in to join, joked that SNL50 had front-loaded the show — featuring cast members past and present, a long list of famous past hosts and unannounced cameos — with all the night’s big talent.
The three-hour special with SNL alumni celebrating 50 years of sketch comedy aired live from New York City on NBC and Peacock beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Ahead of the SNL50 television program was Friday night’s SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Cher, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Robyn, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jack White, Backstreet Boys, Jelly Roll, Bonnie Raitt and more were on the lineup, with Questlove and The Roots backing up multiple acts.
Watch a clip of the “Simon & Carpenter” version of “Homeward Bound” below, courtesy of SNL’s Instagram.
Adele was clearly enjoying herself during NBC’s SNL50: The Homecoming Concert.
On Saturday (Feb. 15), the 36-year-old British superstar shared a video of herself joyfully singing and dancing along to Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean performing the Fugees classic “Killing Me Softly.”
“Wow @nbcsnl just wow. Incredible! I can’t believe what I’m watching,” Adele captioned an Instagram Stories clip, clearly blown away by the duo’s performance.
In the short video, the “Easy on Me” hitmaker, dressed in cozy clothes, stands in front of a fireplace with her arms raised, swaying to the music as she sings along to the performance on her TV screen.
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The SNL50 concert, which streamed live to viewers through Peacock on Friday from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, featured Hill and Jean performing a medley of hits, including “Lost Ones” and “911.” The three-hour event, hosted by former SNL cast member Jimmy Fallon, also featured performances by Cher, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus and many others. Check out the best moments from the SNL50 concert here.
In September 2018, Adele penned an emotional tribute to Hill after attending the Fugees member’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The show was part of a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hill’s debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
“I saw Lauryn Hill in 1999 at Brixton Academy when I was 10 years old. Tonight I saw her play at the Hollywood Bowl. I’ve just turned 30! What a woman what a record, by far Miseducation is my favorite record of all time,” Adele wrote on Instagram at the time.
She continued, “Such an honest representation of love and life, I feel I can relate too but also I know there’s elements and levels I never will be able to. Ms. Lauryn Hill was on form in every way possible. Thank you for the record of a lifetime, thank you for your wisdom! Thank you for existing. Happy 20th.”
Adele wrapped up her two-year Las Vegas residency in November 2024. After her 100-show Weekends With Adele extravaganza at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum, she hinted at taking a “big break” from music.
The singer, who has not gone on a world tour since her 2016-2017 run in support of her 25 album, is known for taking extended breaks between albums and tours. These gaps have grown longer over time, from three years between her debut album 19 (2008) and 21 (2011), to four years until 25 (2015), and six years between 25 and 30 (2021).