SNLPokes Fun at Its Problematic Moments Over the Years in 50th Anniversary Special

Mar. 15, 2025

Rob Schneider.Photo:NBC

NBC

Saturday Night Liveis calling itself out.

The iconic sketch comedy show took a moment to recognize some of its past problematic moments duringSNL50: The Anniversary Specialon Sunday, Feb. 16.Tom Hanks, who has hostedSNL10 times, took the stage to introduce the segment, teasing it as a memorial tribute.

“As we celebrate the achievements of the past 50 years, we must also take a moment to honor those who we’ve lost, countless members of theSNLfamily, taken from us too soon,” he began. “I’m speaking, of course, aboutSNLcharacters and sketches that have aged horribly. But even though these characters, accents and, let’s just call them ethnic wigs, were unquestionably in poor taste, you all laughed at them."

“So if anyone should be canceled, shouldn’t it be you, the audience?” he continued. “Something to think about. Anyway, we now present to you this in memoriam.”

Next up was “underage sexual harassment,” in whichLindsay Lohan’s 2004 “Harry Potter: Hermione Growth Spurt” skit played. In it, the men seem only to be able to look at her chest as she talks.

Simply deemed “woah” was a clip ofAdrien Brodydoing a Jamaican impression while dressed in a tank top and dreadlocks.

Lucy Liu’s hosting gig in 2000 was up next, titled, “didn’t air as long ago as you’d think.” In it, she introduces her mother’s family recipe for “cocker spaniel” as she presents a dog for dinner.

This led right into “animal cruelty,” where Will Ferrell is giving his pet a pep talk about having to eat dog food. “I know it’s not your first choice, but keep in mind, you’re a f—ing dog,” he whispers.

Some “body shaming” was shown, such asChris FarleyandPatrick Swayze’s Chippendales sketch, then “slut shaming,” with thefamous clipofDan AykroydcallingJane Curtinan “ignorant slut” during a “Weekend Update” segment in 1979.

Tina Fey, Chris Kattan, Jimmy Fallon.NBC

The next category was “gay panic,” which included a “Maybe this is ok? Not sure…” clip ofChris Kattan’s “Gay Hitler.”

Some “child molestation” scenes were shown, withAdam Sandler’s “Canteen Boy” making the cut, along with “questionable makeup” that was all blurred out.

After showing some of their “problematic guests,” likeO.J. Simpson,Robert BlakeandDiddy, it wrapped with “racial slurs,” featuring the 1975 “Word Association” sketch withChevy ChaseandRichard Pryor, in which Chase calls Pryor a slur.

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SNL50: The Anniversary Specialaired Sunday, Feb. 16, on NBC and Peacock.

source: people.com