In his opening monologue for the "Saturday Night Live" 50th-anniversary special, John Mulaney led a star-studded cast through a historical journey of the show's New York City setting.
Beginning with the birth of the series in 1975, Mulaney's medley featured cameos from former "SNL" cast members, including Pete Davidson, David Spade, and Adam Driver, comedically portraying the gritty metropolis of the 1970s.
Through each decade, Mulaney highlighted the city's ups and downs, featuring Kate McKinnon as disgraced former mayor Rudy Giuliani, Scarlett Johansson as Audrey from "Little Shop of Horrors," and Nathan Lane singing an ode to cocaine set to "Hakuna Matata."
Other notable guest appearances included original "SNL" musical directors Paul Schaffer and G.E. Smith, as well as Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Jenna Ortega, and Kevin Costner.
In a post-9/11 sketch, McKinnon reprised her Giuliani impression, singing a version of "My Shot" from "Hamilton," while Johansson and Paul Rudd performed a rendition of "Suddenly Seymour" from "Little Shop of Horrors."
Mulaney's commentary throughout the segment highlighted New York's evolving character, from the financial boom of the 1980s to the gentrification of the 1990s.
Despite the city's challenges, Davidson expressed his disillusionment, citing noise, danger, and the proliferation of corporate chains. Mulaney urged him to remember the artistic and cultural legacy of New York, leading the cast in a poignant performance of "One Day More" from "Les Misérables."