SNL's Musical Homecoming, Best Of...

👋 Need proof that lightning strikes twice? Just ask The Lonely Island, who turned their greatest hits into a supergroup performance with Bad Bunny, Eddie Vedder, and Lady Gaga. Sorry, cupcake costume and laser cat not included.

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FEATURE

📀 SNL 50: The Musical Homecoming

In a historic convergence of comedy and music royalty, SNL's 50th anniversary concert transformed Radio City Music Hall into a time machine of cultural touchstones (here’s the full setlist).

1. Setting the Stage 

When Jimmy Fallon stepped out to channel the Blues Brothers with "Soul Man," to begin the three-and-a-half hour extravaganza wove together five decades of the show's most iconic musical moments.

2. The Missing Link 

Perhaps the evening's most discussed moment was The Lonely Island's medley, featuring an all-star lineup including Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and Eddie Vedder. The conspicuous absence of Justin Timberlake, the group's frequent collaborator on hits like "D--k in a Box" and "Motherlover," hung in the air like an unfinished punchline.

3. Genre-Bending Brilliance 

The production seamlessly merged past and present: Miley Cyrus sharing the stage with Brittany Howard for "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," Snoop Dogg reinventing "Last Dance With Mary Jane" alongside Jelly Roll, and perhaps most powerfully, Arcade Fire joining forces with David Byrne, St. Vincent, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for an epic rendition of "Heroes."

4. The Final Bow 

As Jack White closed the night with the thunderous chords of "Seven Nation Army," the concert had accomplished something remarkable - transforming SNL's musical legacy from a collection of moments into a singular cultural achievement.

Encore:

• Will Ferrell performs Kendrick’s “Not Like Us”

• Snoop Dogg performs with Jelly Roll

• Post Malone joins Nirvana for “SLTS”

• The Backstreet Boys perform “I Want It That Way”

SONG OF THE WEEK

📀 Lady Gaga performs “Dick in a Box” 

When Justin Timberlake's absence threatened to derail SNL50's most anticipated callback, Lady Gaga transformed potential disappointment into viral gold:

• Her mock-critique of Samberg's "Shallow" created perfect narrative bridge between modern Gaga and classic SNL

• The surprise Bad Bunny appearance and T-Pain callback bridged 2006 comedy with 2025 cultural relevance

• Jorma Taccone's cupcake costume and laser cat proved even deep-cut references could land with a modern audience

The genius of the performance lay in its ability to honor nostalgia while creating something entirely new – turning what could have been an awkward omission into one of the night's most talked-about moments (here’s the OG digital skit).

MEME