Steve Martin got monologue duties for “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” on Sunday evening, “traditionally the weakest part of the show” he cracked. Martin was the first of many, many comedians to take the stage at Studio 8H for the star-studded event.
“I can’t believe I made it here in time. It was only a few days ago that Lorne told me I was doing the monologue, and I was actually vacationing on a friend’s boat down in the Gulf of Steve Martin,” Martin began, drawing laughs. “‘Saturday Night Live,’ as you know, turned 50 years old this year, and I turned 79. But I feel like I’m 65, which is also not good.”
“A fun fact. A person born during the first season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ could today be easily dead of natural causes,” Martin continued.
John Mulaney then stepped in to congratulate Steve Martin on his “Emmy win? Emmy nomination? Grammy win? Golden Globe nomination!”
“I believe the heart and soul of this show is the celebrity hosts, many of whom are in this room tonight. As I look around, I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life,” Mulaney said. “Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder.” (The pair that Mulaney is likely referencing are Robert Blake and O.J. Simpson.)
Martin’s “Only Murders” co-star Martin Short was next to crash the monologue, introduced as “the only Canadian who wasn’t in ‘Schitt’s Creek.’”
“Do you have your passport with you?” Martin asked Short. “ICE get him!”
Costumed agents corralled Short, exclaiming “No! I’ll name names! Mike Myers! Jim Carrey!”
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special” is airing on NBC and Peacock, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Watch the monologue below.
From Variety US