CREDIT: NBC/Screenshots

Oh wow, did you notice that Saturday Night Live Season 50 recently ended? Whenever that happens, I like to reflect upon the goings-on at Studio 8H from the past several months. What sketches stuck with me the most? What Weekend Update lunatics are most worthy of discussion? Was the music any good?

So here’s how that’s going to go down this time: First I’m going to consult The SNL Archives and my own weekly reviews, and maybe re-watch a few sketches if I have time. Then I’m going to report to you, dear readers, what made the most lasting impressions on me. And please let me know how SNL50 made you feel as well! (And keep your eye on this space in the months to come in case I realize later that there was something that I forgot to mention.)

We started off with the Jean Smart/Jelly Roll season premiere, and here’s a fun fact: I was actually in Gettysburg when that episode aired. (Maybe that fact is only fun to me.) But then we really got going when Nate Bargatze returned, and he was having some trouble on the links in what was probably my first beloved sketch of the season.

Then Ariana Grande hosted in what was her second appearance on SNL in 2024, and dang, I hope she becomes a five-timer some day. Her Celine Dion impression and femme fatale performance took me to 7th Heaven.

Speaking of that Ari episode, she wasn’t also the musical guest. But you know who was? That’s right, Stevie Nicks. Why do I mention that? Because she was my favorite musical guest of the season!

You can always expect a little something-something when John Mulaney comes to play. He did host for his sixth time after all. This time he totally incinerated it as a local politician I was stunned to discover is actually a real dude.

I will never forget when Charli XCX went green.

Ooh! Ooh! I just remembered another musical guest I really loved: Shaboozey! So much so that he inspired me to add his hit song to my karaoke to-do list. (Wish me luck!) Also of note from that episode (the Paul Mescal one): can James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression just be his Bob Dylan impression instead?

Remember when Chris Rock became Simpson-ified on SNL? Well in case you were wondering if that was foreshadowing for him eventually guest starring on the real Springfield show, it was!

Martin Short joined the Five-Timers Club on the Christmas episode. But um… I think we all remembered what happened to a different Five-Timer on that episode.

I hope the Timothée Chalamet episode caught people’s attention, what with him singing Bob Dylan songs as the musical guest, but also because there was a commercial parody in that episode that gave out weirdly useful medical advice.

Okay, now it’s time for the 50th Anniversary Special portion of the season recap! I gotta say, I think the part that stuck with me the most was when Linda Richman joined the Bronx Beat ladies. Speaking of 50th Anniversary content, Questlove’s documentary about the music of SNL was also terrific, as was the Peacock docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. (Or at least the first episode was! I haven’t watched the rest yet, but I’ve heard good things. Hopefully I’ll complete them before the summer is through.)

Was Marcello Hernandez’s debut as The Movie Guy my favorite Weekend Update segment of the season (Non-Joke Swap Division)? Signs point to yes!

Lady Gaga was the host and musical guest on my birthday! And she wore red glasses. I also wear red* glasses! (*Among other colors.)

Since I’ve been doing this chronologically, it’s taken me a little while to get to my favorite episode, but now it’s finally time to declare: the April 6, 2025 episode with host Jack Black and musical guests Elton John & Brandi Carlile was my favorite of Season 50! Jack delivered his usual thunder during the monologue, brought life to archaeologist cosplay, and offered some delightful theatrical commentary. Plus Miss Eggy finally spilled her thoughts about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Quinta Brunson could very well become a 5-Timer despite starring on a non-NBC network sitcom, especially if she keeps delving into history.

And that wasn’t everything this season had to offer. If I didn’t mention your favorite sketch, it’s probably because I got hungry and decided to go eat dinner.