‘SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert’: Four Things the TV Cameras Missed
The SNL 50: Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall Friday was one of the starriest and genre-bending concerts in recent history.
The concert, which took place ahead of the show’s big three-hour anniversary special Sunday, saw performances from Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Cher, Lady Gaga (who took took part in a musical sketch with Lonely Island and returned with a performance of “Shallow”), Nirvana, led by Post Malone, Backstreet Boys, Snoop Dog, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef, David Byrne, Arcade Fire and St. Vincent, Eddie Vedder, Devo, The White Stripes and more.
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The artists who performed had a connection to SNL, as did the invite-only crowd, which was made up of those who had worked at the late night sketch show or had a connection to someone who had.
Jimmy Fallon hosted the night, kicking it off with an energetic performance honoring the Blues Brothers. But before he took the stage, Michael Che grabbed the mic and readied the crowd for the live broadcast on Peacock, while scanning the ranks of high-profile names in the audience.
“Hello Adam Sandler, how are you? This is crazy,” he said.
Below are a few behind-the-scenes moments you have may missed on camera.
The Performances Continued Into the Lobby
One of many standout collaborations of the night was the joining of Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, David Byrne and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
After performing on stage, Arcade Fire and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band continued to play as they walked through the orchestra and into the lobby. Onlookers cheered them on and Jon Hamm danced as he made his way by them.
Inside the theater, attendees watched videos of past SNL musical performances during the commercial breaks, while others, including Jim Gaffigan and Pete Davidson, at one point, took a break to chat in the lobby.
Starry Seating Arrangement
The orchestra was filled with A-list names, including Steven Spielberg, Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Meryl Streep and Martin Short, Pedro Pascal, Billy Crystal, many former and current SNL cast members, including Bowen Yang, Andy Samberg, Kristin Wiig, Keegan-Michael Key and more, and Paul Rudd (who was seated front row and received several shout-outs from the presenters).
Seated in center orchestra was the man of the hour, Lorne Michaels, and directly in front of him sat Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. As Fallon quipped at the start of show, “I thought this was sweet. Where you’re seated is based on how much Lorne loves you.”
Poehler could be spotted frequently dancing to the music, while Michaels stood for a few songs with the crowd, but otherwise didn’t bust a move.
A few rows behind sat Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin, as well as Jerry Seinfeld, who later appeared to take a selfie with Ice Spice during a commercial break.
Jason Momoa walked down the aisle, hoisting two beers and enthusiastically bopping along as he made his way to the front while Snoop Dogg performed on stage and lit up a joint, which wafted through the theater.
Biggest Cheers and Standing Ovations
Gasps and screams filled the theater when Fred Armisen (cosplaying as Prince) announced Cher as the next musical performer. That was one of several moments the crowd immediately leapt to their feet. The announcements of performances from The Backstreet Boys and Bad Bunny also led to immediate standing ovations.
The crowd appeared to be naturally summoned, rising up as a collective, as Lady Gaga transitioned into her higher register while performing “Shallow.”
The energy built throughout the night, with the sketch from Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer reprising their roles as the straight-laced music teachers Marty and Bobbi Mohan-Culp causing several attendees to double over in laughter. The two performed recent hits, including Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” with the entire crowd chiming in on the line “a minor.” Their performance, which also included Britney Spears’ “Work Bitch,” Sam Smith and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Body” received the only standing ovation for a sketch that night.
Miley Cyrus, an early performer in the night, called out attendees to get them involved at the start.
“Are you all going to do the Grammys thing where you’re famous and don’t sing along?” Cyrus said, before leading the audience in singing “Flowers.”
Chevy Chase
One surprise moment occurred near the end of the telecast with the appearance of original SNL cast member Chevy Chase, who was standing near the side stage as Fallon was speaking on camera.
Fallon spotted Chase and took the moment to shake his hand and thank him for his work on the show. “We wouldn’t be here without you,” he said.
The crowd’s response to Chase, who has had a reputation of being difficult and making abrasive comments, was much more muted, with few cheers at his appearance.
Chase is also expected to appear as part of the show’s reunion special Sunday.
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