Steve Martin Asks the Audience to Embrace Joy in SNL50 Monologue

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Well, here’s why I found myself at the Comedy Cellar yesterday. Following Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon’s opening number for SNL50, the show was brimming with laughter. The source of it all? None other than Steve Martin, one of the show’s most esteemed hosts, who graced us with his presence. Introducing himself as “SNL’s newest diversity hire,” he began modestly, peppering his monologue with a few jokes that referenced current events and some that felt timeless, showcasing his remarkable stand-up skills. It wasn’t long before he touched on SNL’s significant milestone, joking about how a person born during the first season of Saturday Night Live could, by now, have easily passed away from natural causes.

At this stage, the monologue gained speed as Martin started to revel in the event by poking fun at Saturday Night Live (SNL) itself and its spectacular shows. He even made a joke about SNL’s history of inconsistent monologues, saying, “The monologue is like a rent-controlled tenant: It’s not going anywhere, even though it stinks.” Martin then shared some jokes about notable attendees such as Bill Murray and David Letterman before acknowledging the writers as the “heart and soul” of the show. The scene then switched to around two dozen writers from SNL’s past standing outside 30 Rock behind a barricade holding umbrellas. Former writer John Mulaney then unexpectedly appeared on stage to discuss the challenges of collaborating with SNL’s celebrity hosts: “As I look around, I see some of the most difficult people I’ve ever met in my entire life. Over the past 50 years, 894 people have hosted Saturday Night Live, and it astounds me that only two of them have committed murder.” Mulaney was followed by Martin Short, who together with Martin engaged in their signature double-act repartee. However, after being a Canadian, Short was escorted offstage by ICE agents because he didn’t have his passport on him.

Martin ended his speech with a playful yet earnest appeal to viewers at home who might criticize tonight’s performance. Essentially, he was providing a kind of pre-emptive defense, suggesting that if someone isn’t finding it enjoyable, they should examine themselves and question when they stopped appreciating joy, and consider what they could contribute as a viewer in the future. Translated into simpler terms: “If you aren’t laughing along, take a hard look at yourself and ask when you last felt joy, and think about what you can do to enjoy it more next time.

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2025-02-17 06:54