SNL50’s Wildest Moments: Gaga, Post Nirvana, Jack White, and More!

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During Friday night’s “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” special, John Mulaney aptly captured the largely delightful unpredictability of the lineup by reminiscing about the late Hal Willner, a cherished music mastermind from Saturday Night Live. Mulaney expressed that if Willner were still alive, he would have appreciated many of the performers on the bill. He also mentioned that while he would have enjoyed discussing the aspects of the show that Willner might have disliked, it was unfortunate that such a conversation couldn’t take place.

To put it simply, most viewers with an open mind likely wouldn’t categorize the Peacock broadcast that lasted nearly three and a half hours as something to watch out of hatred. The majority of the artists from different generations performed admirably, with few major flops. Bill Murray’s seemingly off-the-cuff humor and the Post Malone/Nirvana collaboration didn’t quite meet expectations, but fell short rather than being disastrous. However, a concert featuring Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Lauryn Hill, David Byrne, Robyn, and Cher is aiming for more than just high ratings. It’s making an effort to replicate the diverse and influential spirit of the 50-year-old show at its peak.

The show failed to make subtle connections to iconic performances from the past that could have added depth, such as having Ashley Simpson return for a second chance after so many years. Although Elvis Costello’s memorable flub from ’78 was acknowledged through Eddie Vedder’s playful reference, it would have been more fitting for Costello to make the reference himself. However, the program didn’t shy away from nostalgia and managed to stay current by featuring Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer performing the Grammy’s Record of the Year, “Not Like Us”.

Here’s a look at some of the show’s most memorable moments:

Jack White brings out his band in a climactic finale. As the show approached its end, a series of numbers suggested potential climaxes, one being Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” fitting for an anniversary spectacle. However, it became apparent that the host, Jimmy Fallon, was being asked to reach beyond his comfort zone, serving as a prolonged indication that there was still one more surprise in store. The grand finale came in the form of a performance by The Only Rock Star That Matters, projected into 2024. White began with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Real World,” a 35-year-old protest song that served as a subtle reminder of the unrest beyond the 30 Rock walls. Although Young continues to own the song, no one has delivered an electrifying slide guitar solo on it quite like White did. This was followed by “Seven Nation Army,” which cleverly retained some of Neil’s lyrics at the start. Given its popularity in every baseball stadium, it proved fitting to send off Saturday Night Live into the next 50 years with this number.

Lady Gaga’s hat resembling talons, along with other items delivered in a container, was part of the show. Her rendition of “Shallow” didn’t bring anything new to the table since she had performed quite similarly at FireAid not long ago. However, since that performance happened late at night on the east coast, it was likely a fresh experience for most viewers watching SNL50. The song has a powerful impact in this dynamic arrangement, regardless of any recent recollections. Additionally, Gaga’s black claw hat choice added a touch of eerie flair reminiscent of her past costume eras.

Gaga’s standout moment came earlier when she sang “Dick in a Box” alongside Andy Samberg, delivering each line with the sincerity you might expect from an “Joanne” outtake.

Marty Culp and Bobbi Mohan-Culp find themselves unintentionally engaging in musical feuds with Drake, as they perform a medley of recent hits on SNL’s special, including “Brat,” “Good Luck, Babe!,” “Unholy,” “Denial Is a River” and more. Their rendition of these songs, reminiscent of the lounge-style duo at the Dresden Room, showcases their focus on perfecting harmonies over considering lyrical appropriateness. The inclusion of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” with its repeated “A minor” line that subtly mocks Drake, adds a humorous touch to their performance. However, it seems they may not be fully aware that their literal interpretation of the lyrics could potentially land them in legal trouble.

The Homecoming Concert” came to emulating an authentic jam session was during Byrne’s two distinct performances near the end of the show. The initial and most extensive of his collaborations featured Arcade Fire reawakening as his main partner for a medley of David Bowie’s “Heroes” and their own “Wake Up,” with St. Vincent assuming the role of Robert Fripp. The addition of Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the finale to initiate a New Orleans-style procession through Radio City Music Hall was ingenious. Later, he reunited with Robyn for a second medley, as her “Dancing on My Own” seamlessly transitioned into Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody).” This latter choice would have been an ideal finale for a show titled “homecoming” – it’s almost the most heartfelt song ever written. However, “SNL50” still had more to accomplish.

Subtly Stealing the Show: Ms. Lauryn Hill

After the final leg of her anniversary tour with The Fugees was called off amidst controversy, Ms. Lauryn Hill made an appearance that left everyone yearning for more. Her recent tour dates in the U.S. a few years back had a casual, lively, and unpredictable vibe, despite the meticulous planning of setlists, and this short comeback served as a poignant reminder of her magnetic stage presence. Thankfully, this performance wasn’t drawn out too long – no one, not even under that much fur, could sustain a full set without shedding nearly half their weight!

“Post-Nirvana”: Two popular flavors that combine… merely alright This latest “SNL50” performance may have evoked memories of the recent FireAid spectacular for viewers. Unlike the event where surviving members of Nirvana were backed by a series of female vocalists (St. Vincent, Joan Jett, Kim Gordon and Violet Grohl), this time, it seems to be the first occasion they collaborated with a male singer: Post Malone. On paper, there was a logic to it – Malone has a collection of Nirvana covers he plans to release officially on vinyl soon. However, the performance didn’t quite gel. Moreover, we admired the previous untouchable notion that if Nirvana were to reunite, it would only be with a singer who is not male. With this rule now defunct, there was an air of ‘meh’ about the whole affair.

Bonnie Raitt has the ability and intends to win our affection. Among all artists worldwide, there might be none who command such unanimous admiration, with no negative comments ever uttered about her. Raitt achieved this status in the early ’90s with two timeless classics, her captivating slide guitar rendition of John Hiatt’s “Thing Called Love” and her heartfelt ballad, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” which is dedicated to the lonely. Chris Martin of Coldplay may evoke mixed opinions, but there’s no denying his recent endeavor as a modest piano soloist. He showcased this skill most recently at the Grammys, when he collaborated with Grace Bowers on her grace notes during the In Memoriam performance. Here, he essentially reprised that role by supporting Raitt in her performance.

Brandi Carlile tackles themes of immigration and gender identity in her powerful ballad “The Joke.” Quite relevant, isn’t it? Yet, when it comes to embodying the spirit of Bonnie Raitt, no one else comes closer than Carlile. Her unique identity makes her an exceptional fit as Raitt’s successor. Performing “The Joke” here served as both a nod to the Grammys and a tribute to SNL, as this song was famously performed by Carlile at the 2019 Grammys, catapulting her into mainstream stardom. This song is one of the defining pieces of music in the 21st century, and it stands out among others in this performance for its exploration of social consciousness beyond the boundaries of SNL. It’s now a given that she’ll hit those challenging notes flawlessly during the live performance. And without a doubt, you’ll find yourself giving her a silent standing ovation, knowing full well that she deserves it.

It’s alright to let go of some characters from the past, especially if the script isn’t available. This sketch left me puzzled because many old-time “SNL” viewers have a soft spot for Murray’s character Nick the lounge singer. However, it seemed like Murray was improvising as he went along, and while some jokes might not have been polished or perfectly timed… or they didn’t quite gel with the powerhouse background vocalists. The saving grace of this segment was that when you bring together Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, and Maya Rudolph as the backup crew, they sound as if they are ready to step into a recording studio just like the actual cast from “20 Feet From Stardom.

Let’s give Diane Warren an overdue Oscar for “If I Could Turn Back Time”: Couldn’t Cher’s iconic song deserve a retroactive Academy Award? After all, it was never part of a movie, let alone one released last year. Yet, wouldn’t it seem fitting? The tune evokes the same sense of timelessness as watching Cher perform this powerful anthem once more, echoing her enduring message: She’s had a few regrets, but she’s also had almost too many to count. In stark contrast to the theme of “SNL50,” where Lorne Michaels and his team miraculously made it 50 years without significantly messing up. Perhaps her semi-transparent outfit was a more eloquent testament to their resilience, serving as a tribute to their unwavering durability.

“SNL50: A Homecoming Concert” Tracklist:
Jimmy Fallon: “Soul Man”
Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Miley Cyrus: “Flowers”
Bad Bunny: “Inolvidable Dance,” “DTMF”
Bill Murray: “You’re All I Need to Get By”
Eddie Vedder: “The Waiting,” “Corduroy”
Tracy Morgan: “Astronaut Jones Theme Song”
B-52s: “Love Shack”
Backstreet Boys: “I Want It That Way”
Devo: “Uncontrollable Urge”
Lady Gaga, Andy Samberg, Eddie Vedder, Lonely Island, et al.: Medley
Lauryn Hill and Fugees: Medley
Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer: Medley
Jelly Roll: Johnny Cash medley
Brandi Carlile: “The Joke”
Mumford and Sons: “I Will Wait”
Mumford and Sons with Jerry Douglas: “The Boxer”
Snoop Dogg: “Gin and Juice”
Snoop Dogg and Jelly Roll: “Last Dance With Mary Jane”
Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band: “Heroes,” “Wake Up”
Post Malone and Nirvana: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Robyn and David Byrne: “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)”
Cher: “If I Could Turn Back Time”
Jack White: “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Seven Nation Army

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2025-02-15 10:19