Tonight marks a significant milestone for Saturday Night Live as Amy Poehler returns to host the show on its 50th anniversary. This event, taking place on October 11, highlights the enduring legacy of SNL while showcasing Poehler’s influential role in its comedy history through her Amy Poehler SNL return.
Celebrating Five Decades of Comedy
October 11 heralds fifty years since the debut of Saturday Night Live, a program that began in 1975 when Mr. Mike instructed John Belushi in a now-famous sketch involving Wolverines. Over the decades, SNL emerged as a pillar of modern comedy and continues, inspiring works like Jason Reitman’s recent film tribute. For Amy Poehler, one of the show’s most respected alumni, this return is not merely nostalgic but a powerful moment reflecting her impactful and fearless comedic style that defined much of the 2000s.
This year, the celebration has unfolded across various formats including specials and retrospectives, culminating in the official SNL50 festivities. Additionally, an upcoming Peacock documentary titled Downey Wrote That honors the legacy of Jim Downey, a pivotal writer behind many of the show’s iconic moments.
Poehler’s hosting exemplifies the show’s ability to honor tradition while continually evolving, proving that after half a century, SNL can still surprise its audience. Former cast member Siobhan Fallon Hogan, who attended one of the anniversary shows, praised the lasting leadership behind it.
Kudos to Lorne Michaels for 50 years, he is a rock star!
— Siobhan Fallon Hogan, former SNL cast member
This evening’s lineup also drew attention to how the show might commemorate Diane Keaton’s recent passing, adding a somber note to what is otherwise a night of laughter and reflection.
A Political Cold Open with Familiar Faces
Earlier this week, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate but left many questions unanswered, prompting a follow-up hearing. SNL’s cold open imagines Bondi’s return to face additional scrutiny, portrayed by Amy Poehler as a visibly irate figure. While stunt casting in political sketches can sometimes feel forced, Poehler’s performance was met with mixed feelings initially due to the concept rather than her delivery.
Alongside Poehler, Andrew Dismukes stood out as a caricatured Senator Kennedy, infusing humor into an otherwise tense political setting. The cold open used this Senate hearing backdrop to touch on timely issues like the federal government shutdown—a formula SNL has employed successfully in past sketches.
Tina Fey also joined the opening as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Fallon Hogan reflected on the chemistry between Poehler and Fey, saying,
When I played the birthing specialist in Baby Mama, it was clear that Tina and Amy were a great comedy team,
and added,
It is so great that SNL is bringing her back.
The return of this comedic duo rekindled fond memories among fans, exemplified by playful nods such as references to burn books, reflecting their shared history.
A Lighthearted Monologue and Fresh Cast Introductions
Amy Poehler’s monologue blended humor and personal reflection, acknowledging her enduring affection for fame while promoting her new Spotify podcast, Good Hang. She joked about marketing “Poehler’s Colers,” a fictional tequila soda banned in Connecticut, linking past eras to present-day satire while joking about AI versions potentially replacing her on screen.
She reminisced about watching SNL in the 1970s, a time when women’s freedoms were far more restricted — noting that women couldn’t even own credit cards then. Poehler’s comedic style remains sharp and approachable, even if the opening moments of the show feel lighter in stakes.
Introducing the newest cast members, Poehler kept the focus brief. Viewers might notice Ben Marshall, known from the sketch group Please Don’t Destroy and a previous collaborator with Peacock, in a new supporting role, which some find hard to reconcile with his “new guy” status given his rising profile.
It is notable that nearly ten years have passed since Poehler last hosted SNL, during the classic episode she co-hosted with Tina Fey. She remains a strong connection to the show’s past even as it navigates its present and future, having recently appeared in season 48 alongside Aubrey Plaza.
The episode is being closely followed and updated live as the celebration continues.
What did YOU think of the Bad Bunny season premiere?
— the legendary “SNL in Review” experience (@SNLinReview) October 5, 2025
