On October 11, 2025, Amy Poehler marked the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live while hosting the show’s official anniversary episode. The actress and comedian woven in multiple subtle nods to the original broadcast from 1975, celebrating the lasting impact of the long-running NBC sketch series.
During her opening monologue, Poehler highlighted the historic milestone, mentioning the show’s debut date and first host, George Carlin, infusing the moment with humor and personal reflection. She acknowledged the legacy of SNL while making a playful reference to Carlin’s well-known style.
“Tonight is actually a very special night for the show. Not just because I’m here, but because 50 years ago today, on October 11, 1975, the very first episode of SNL aired,”
Poehler said.
And it was awesome. And that episode was hosted by George Carlin. And just like George Carlin, I am extremely high.
Reflecting on SNL’s Legacy and New Cast Introduction
Continuing her monologue, Amy Poehler shared a nostalgic glimpse of her earliest memories of the show, recalling how she watched SNL in the 1970s from her home in Burlington, Massachusetts. She expressed her dreams of becoming an actress and lightheartedly mentioned the rise of AI performers while commenting on the significance of fifty years for both herself and the program.
“It’s always a dream come true to be here. I remember watching the show in the ’70s, sitting in my house in Burlington, Massachusetts, thinking, ‘I want to be an actress someday. At least until they invent an AI actress who’s funnier and willing to do full frontal.’ But 50 years? Wow. You know what’s nice about turning 50? You start to not care about what people think. And that’s what’s so great about SNL. She’s obviously stopped caring. But no matter the age, it’s never too late to make new friends.”
– Amy Poehler
After her reflection, Poehler introduced five new featured players joining the SNL cast: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, signaling a fresh chapter as the series continues beyond its monumental half-century mark.
Visual Tributes and Callbacks to SNL’s Inception
Beyond her monologue, Poehler paid homage to SNL’s history through subtle wardrobe choices. When introducing the musical guest Role Model, she wore a retro SNL cast T-shirt featuring an iconic image that included Bill Murray, who famously joined during the show’s second season. This gesture connected the present cast with the show’s storied roots.
Saturday Night Live’s original first-season ensemble, known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, included Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, along with the late John Belushi and Gilda Radner. Brief appearances were also made by Michael O’Donoghue and George Coe, framing the foundational team behind the comedy landmark.
In a final visual tribute, the show displayed a graphic of Poehler in a classic New York City yellow cab, eating a giant slice of pizza with the original title “NBC’s Saturday Night” emblazoned nearby. This image echoes the original opening credits, which featured a similar vignette of a taxi passenger eating watermelon, linking the present program to its historic beginnings.
Connections to SNL’s Premiere and Expanded Celebrations
The premiere episode of SNL, hosted by George Carlin and featuring musical acts Janis Ian and Billy Preston, also included a short film by Albert Brooks titled The Impossible Truth, spotlighting a temporarily blinded cab driver continuing his duties. These early sketches set the tone for the series’ innovative blend of live comedy and film.
Though this anniversary episode contained only a few direct references, the show’s major 50th celebration had already occurred earlier in the year, including an Emmy-winning prime-time special, a concert at Radio City Music Hall, and a four-part documentary commemorating the milestone.
Additionally, the launch of Jason Reitman’s film Saturday Night vividly recreated the tension and excitement just before the first-ever SNL broadcast. The movie concludes as Chevy Chase’s character delivers the iconic opening line,
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
The film is currently available streaming on Netflix, while the season one premiere episode can be viewed on Peacock.
Looking Ahead to the Upcoming Season
Following the anniversary episode, SNL is continuing its 51st season with new episodes scheduled, including the upcoming October 18 installment hosted by Sabrina Carpenter, who will also perform as the musical guest. The program remains a flagship NBC late-night staple, airing every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on both NBC and Peacock, maintaining its cultural relevance and introducing new talent alongside established stars.
