February 18, 2025: In a unique and self-aware moment, Saturday Night Live (SNL) commemorated its 50th anniversary by acknowledging its own controversial history. During the SNL50: The Anniversary Special, actor Tom Hanks delivered a satirical “in memoriam” segment that humorously addressed some of the show’s past mistakes, particularly its perpetuation of problematic stereotypes and humor.
Dressed in a tuxedo, Hanks took to the stage and opened with a mock somber tone: “As we celebrate the achievements of the past 50 years, we must also take a moment to remember those who we’ve lost. Countless members of the SNL family taken from us way too soon. I’m speaking, of course, about SNL characters and sketches that have aged horribly.” His lines elicited laughter from the audience as he continued with a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the show’s past, including remarks like, “Even though these accents and characters and… let’s just call them ethnic wigs… were unquestionably in poor taste, you all laughed at them. So, if anyone should be cancelled, shouldn’t it be you, the audience? Something to think about.”
The segment transitioned into a montage of controversial and problematic sketches from the show’s history. Among them were iconic yet racially insensitive characters like John Belushi’s samurai and Adrien Brody’s infamous Jamaican accent. The clips were followed by on-screen captions that critiqued the problematic elements such as “ethnic stereotypes,” “sexism,” and even “child molestation.”
As the segment unfolded, the tone softened from a light-hearted scolding to a more reflective approach. Some clips were labeled with humorous, questioning captions such as “MAYBE THIS WAS OK? NOT SURE.” This shift allowed for some moments of comedic acknowledgment of the evolving standards of humor over the past five decades.
The segment also tackled the show’s controversial guest appearances, including figures like O.J. Simpson and R. Kelly, drawing attention to the complicated legacies of these individuals and their involvement with the show.
In a notable conclusion, the segment revisited a key moment from SNL’s inaugural season: an exchange between Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor. Though the exchange was uncomfortable by today’s standards, it was recognized as a significant part of the show’s history and cultural impact.
In all, the segment delivered a mix of humor, self-reflection, and a willingness to confront its past mistakes, cementing the special as a fitting tribute to SNL’s history while offering a humorous look at its more controversial moments.