Best sports moments from 'SNL50:" Peyton Manning warns Lorne Michaels about retirement, Bronny James catches strays
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tsn/news/best-sports-moments-snl50-peyton-manning-bronny-james/cb47470c46fe724e874570c6
ANDREW KATZ
The Sporting News
14 hours ago • 10:00 pm GMT+1
Hyped up for months, "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" did not disappoint.
SNL50, a three-hour celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first show, featured cast members from every era of "Saturday Night Live." However, the guest list was not limited to the regular cast, as celebrities and former hosts showed up left and right, sometimes in sketches or simply as spectators in the crowd.
N Djokovic and F Verdasco vs A Bublik and K Khachanov Match Highlights Doha February 17 2025
As one can imagine, a three-hour show featured a few sports-related jokes, from nods to former host O.J. Simpson to an appearance from Peyton Manning.
Here are the best sports moments from SNL50.
MORE: Every athlete who hosted 'Saturday Night Live' | Revisiting Peyton Manning's best SNL sketches
Best sports moments from SNL50
John Mulaney pokes fun at O.J. Simpson in opening monologue
After a performance by Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon to open the show, Steve Martin, who has hosted SNL 16 times, second-most behind Alec Baldwin, gave the traditional opening monologue.
Martin was hilarious, delivering funny joke after funny joke in a seven-minute monologue. Martin Short, John Mulaney, and others made brief appearances. Mulaney made an ever-so-subtle reference to Simpson saying, "Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted SNL, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."
Who else Mulaney was referencing is a tossup between Robert Blake, Alec Baldwin, and Robert Wagner, but he is almost certainly referring to the former Bills running back who hosted the show in February 1978.
Sixteen years later, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. The pair were stabbed to death in 1994 outside Nicole’s home in the Brentwood neighborhood of LA. Simpson was acquitted in a criminal trial, but that didn't stop Mulaney from joking about the former football star.
Bronny James catches a stray
The first sports moment came in a new edition of one of SNL's most classic sketches: "Black Jeopardy."
Featuring current SNL cast member Keenan Thompson, famous alumni Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones, and 10-time host Tom Hanks, the skit is always a version of Jeopardy with hyperspecific categories, questions, and answers directed toward the black audience.
Sunday's categories featured "Look Here," "This Joker Talkin' Bout," "Leave Bronny Alone," "Mannnn...," "Live From New York," and "White People."
One of the biggest storylines of the 2024-2025 NBA season, it only makes sense SNL finally referenced Bronny James in a sketch.
Unfortunately, the category was not used during the skit, but the Bronny reference got a big laugh from the crowd.
Peyton Manning makes a cameo
Shortly after "Black Jeopardy," SNL alum Tina Fey and Amy Poehler led an audience Q&A, answering the crowd's biggest questions about the history of the show.
Poehler and Fey called on various celebrities, from Ryan Reynolds to Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Bad Bunny. This gave many of the celebrities who were not appearing elsewhere in the show a few seconds of airtime.
Toward the end of the bit, at the 8:30 mark of the video below, Manning, who has appeared on SNL thrice before, once as a host and again in cameos, offered advice to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, 80, who is rumored to be retiring at the conclusion of the 50th season.
"Uh, Lorne — never retire," Manning said. "It's brutal out here. They had me doing all these commercials. Insurance, beer. I did one the other day for something called Fan Fight Power Monster 3. I don't even know what the hell it is. I just assumed it was a video game, but then in the last voiceover I said, 'Now in diet chili flavor.' I hate being retired."
Poehler tried to cut him off, but Manning continued.
"No seriously, Lorne, getting old sucks. You feel like such a loser. [Zach] Galifianakis knows what I'm talking about."
The bit cut to Galifianakis before transitioning to a compilation.
Michael Che jokes about Bronny James, O.J. Simpson on 'Weekend Update'
In the middle of the show, during SNL's staple segment "Weekend Update," Michael Che, one of the segment's cohosts, made a joke about how long he has been on the show, subtly comparing himself to LeBron James.
"Me and Colin [Jost] are actually the longest-serving 'Weekend Update' anchors," Che said. "I've done 'Weekend Update' for so long, next season I'm cohosting with my son Bronny [James]."
The telecast flashed a photo of Che next to a smaller version of him, with his face photoshopped over what is presumably meant to be Bronny James.
Immediately following it, Che transitioned to talking about the late Norm Macdonald who hosted "Weekend Update" when he was on SNL.
"Since the 40th [Anniversary] we've lost the late, great Norm Macdonald who hosted 'Weekend Update.' Norm Macdonald, who hosted 'Weekend Update,' until he was fired for making jokes about O.J. Simpson, and he is obviously one of my heroes, so if you're watching up there, I just want to say: 'We love you O.J.'"
'SNL' pokes fun at controversial moments through the years
Hanks came out to solemnly introduce an "In Memoriam" of SNL sketches, characters, and moments that have aged horribly.
This included a quick cut of problematic guests, which obviously includes Simpson. Other celebrities that fell under this category include Robert Blake, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, R. Kelly, and Jared Fogle from Subway.
Rare Jack Nicholson sighting
Jack Nicholson, 87, who has sat courtside for Los Angeles Lakers games for decades, appeared to introduce Adam Sandler for an emotional song about SNL's 50 years.
Nicholson wore what appeared to be a beret with a New York Yankees logo as he quickly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Sandler."
Sandler made sure to quickly shout him out saying, "Let's hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight! Love you, brother."
Athletes who have hosted SNL
Here is a list of all of the athletes that have hosted SNL.
Athlete Season, Episode Air date Sport
14 hours ago • 10:00 pm GMT+1
Hyped up for months, "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" did not disappoint.
SNL50, a three-hour celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first show, featured cast members from every era of "Saturday Night Live." However, the guest list was not limited to the regular cast, as celebrities and former hosts showed up left and right, sometimes in sketches or simply as spectators in the crowd.
N Djokovic and F Verdasco vs A Bublik and K Khachanov Match Highlights Doha February 17 2025
As one can imagine, a three-hour show featured a few sports-related jokes, from nods to former host O.J. Simpson to an appearance from Peyton Manning.
Here are the best sports moments from SNL50.
MORE: Every athlete who hosted 'Saturday Night Live' | Revisiting Peyton Manning's best SNL sketches
Best sports moments from SNL50
John Mulaney pokes fun at O.J. Simpson in opening monologue
After a performance by Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon to open the show, Steve Martin, who has hosted SNL 16 times, second-most behind Alec Baldwin, gave the traditional opening monologue.
Martin was hilarious, delivering funny joke after funny joke in a seven-minute monologue. Martin Short, John Mulaney, and others made brief appearances. Mulaney made an ever-so-subtle reference to Simpson saying, "Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted SNL, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."
Who else Mulaney was referencing is a tossup between Robert Blake, Alec Baldwin, and Robert Wagner, but he is almost certainly referring to the former Bills running back who hosted the show in February 1978.
Sixteen years later, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. The pair were stabbed to death in 1994 outside Nicole’s home in the Brentwood neighborhood of LA. Simpson was acquitted in a criminal trial, but that didn't stop Mulaney from joking about the former football star.
Bronny James catches a stray
The first sports moment came in a new edition of one of SNL's most classic sketches: "Black Jeopardy."
Featuring current SNL cast member Keenan Thompson, famous alumni Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones, and 10-time host Tom Hanks, the skit is always a version of Jeopardy with hyperspecific categories, questions, and answers directed toward the black audience.
Sunday's categories featured "Look Here," "This Joker Talkin' Bout," "Leave Bronny Alone," "Mannnn...," "Live From New York," and "White People."
One of the biggest storylines of the 2024-2025 NBA season, it only makes sense SNL finally referenced Bronny James in a sketch.
Unfortunately, the category was not used during the skit, but the Bronny reference got a big laugh from the crowd.
Peyton Manning makes a cameo
Shortly after "Black Jeopardy," SNL alum Tina Fey and Amy Poehler led an audience Q&A, answering the crowd's biggest questions about the history of the show.
Poehler and Fey called on various celebrities, from Ryan Reynolds to Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Bad Bunny. This gave many of the celebrities who were not appearing elsewhere in the show a few seconds of airtime.
Toward the end of the bit, at the 8:30 mark of the video below, Manning, who has appeared on SNL thrice before, once as a host and again in cameos, offered advice to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, 80, who is rumored to be retiring at the conclusion of the 50th season.
"Uh, Lorne — never retire," Manning said. "It's brutal out here. They had me doing all these commercials. Insurance, beer. I did one the other day for something called Fan Fight Power Monster 3. I don't even know what the hell it is. I just assumed it was a video game, but then in the last voiceover I said, 'Now in diet chili flavor.' I hate being retired."
Poehler tried to cut him off, but Manning continued.
"No seriously, Lorne, getting old sucks. You feel like such a loser. [Zach] Galifianakis knows what I'm talking about."
The bit cut to Galifianakis before transitioning to a compilation.
Michael Che jokes about Bronny James, O.J. Simpson on 'Weekend Update'
In the middle of the show, during SNL's staple segment "Weekend Update," Michael Che, one of the segment's cohosts, made a joke about how long he has been on the show, subtly comparing himself to LeBron James.
"Me and Colin [Jost] are actually the longest-serving 'Weekend Update' anchors," Che said. "I've done 'Weekend Update' for so long, next season I'm cohosting with my son Bronny [James]."
The telecast flashed a photo of Che next to a smaller version of him, with his face photoshopped over what is presumably meant to be Bronny James.
Immediately following it, Che transitioned to talking about the late Norm Macdonald who hosted "Weekend Update" when he was on SNL.
"Since the 40th [Anniversary] we've lost the late, great Norm Macdonald who hosted 'Weekend Update.' Norm Macdonald, who hosted 'Weekend Update,' until he was fired for making jokes about O.J. Simpson, and he is obviously one of my heroes, so if you're watching up there, I just want to say: 'We love you O.J.'"
'SNL' pokes fun at controversial moments through the years
Hanks came out to solemnly introduce an "In Memoriam" of SNL sketches, characters, and moments that have aged horribly.
This included a quick cut of problematic guests, which obviously includes Simpson. Other celebrities that fell under this category include Robert Blake, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, R. Kelly, and Jared Fogle from Subway.
Rare Jack Nicholson sighting
Jack Nicholson, 87, who has sat courtside for Los Angeles Lakers games for decades, appeared to introduce Adam Sandler for an emotional song about SNL's 50 years.
Nicholson wore what appeared to be a beret with a New York Yankees logo as he quickly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Sandler."
Sandler made sure to quickly shout him out saying, "Let's hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight! Love you, brother."
Athletes who have hosted SNL
Here is a list of all of the athletes that have hosted SNL.
Athlete Season, Episode Air date Sport
- Fran Tarkenton Season 2, Episode 13 Jan. 29, 1977 Football
- O.J. Simpson Season 3, Episode 12 Feb. 25, 1978 Football
- Bill Russell Season 5, Episode3 Nov. 3, 1979 Basketball
- John Madden Season 7, Episode 10 Jan. 30, 1982 Football
- Bob Uecker Season 10, Episode 2 Oct. 13, 1984 Baseball
- Alex Karras Season 10, Episode 12 Feb. 2, 1985 Football
- Hulk Hogan Season 10, Episode 15 March 30, 1985 Pro wrestling
- Marvin Hagler Season 11, Episode 17 May 17, 1986 Boxer
- Billy Martin Season 11, Episode 18 May 24, 1986 Baseball
- Joe Montana Season 12, Episode 9 Jan. 24, 1987 Football
- Walter Payton Season 12, Episode 9 Jan 24. 1987 Football
- Carl Weathers Season 13, Episode 10 Jan. 13, 1988 Football
- Wayne Gretzky Season 14, Episode 19 May 13, 1989 Hockey
- Chris Evert Season 15, Episode 5 Nov. 11, 1989 Tennis
- Michael Jordan Season 17, Episode 1 Sept. 28, 1991 Basketball
- Charles Barkley* Season 19, Episode 1 Sept. 25, 1993 Basketball
- Nancy Kerrigan Season 19, Episode 15 March 12, 1994 Figure skating
- George Foreman Season 20, Episode 9 Dec. 17, 1994 Boxing
- Deion Sanders Season 20, Episode 13 Feb. 18, 1995 Football/baseball
- Dwayne Johnson** Season 25, Episode 15 March 18, 2000 Pro wrestling
- Derek Jeter Season 27, Episode 11 Dec. 1, 2001 Baseball
- Jonny Moseley Season 27, Episode 13 March 3, 2002 Olympic skiing
- Jeff Gordon Season 28, Episode 9 Jan. 11, 2003 NASCAR
- Andy Roddick Season 29, Episode 5 Nov. 8, 2003 Tennis
- Tom Brady Season 30, Episode 17 April 16, 2005 Football
- Lance Armstrong Season 31, Episode 4 Oct. 29, 2005 Cycling
- Peyton Manning Season 32, Episode 16 March 24, 2007 Football
- LeBron James Season 33, Episode 1 Sept. 29, 2007 Basketball
- Michael Phelps Season 34, Episode 1 Sept. 13. 2008 Swimming
- Eli Manning Season 37, Episode 11 May 5, 2012 Football
- Ronda Rousey Season 41, Episode 11 Jan. 23, 2016 UFC and WWE
- John Cena Season 42, Episode 9 Dec. 10, 2016 Pro wrestling
- J.J. Watt Season 45, Episode 12 Feb. 1, 2020 Football
- Travis Kelce Season 48, Episode 14 Mar. 4, 2023 Football
*Barkley would host three more episodes.
**The Rock would host four more episodes.
ANDREW KATZ
Andrew Katz is an editorial intern for The Sporting News and a senior at Northwestern University. In addition to writing for school publications, his work has been featured in Bluff City Media, covering the Memphis Grizzlies. He is an avid fan of professional and collegiate football and basketball.
**The Rock would host four more episodes.
ANDREW KATZ
Andrew Katz is an editorial intern for The Sporting News and a senior at Northwestern University. In addition to writing for school publications, his work has been featured in Bluff City Media, covering the Memphis Grizzlies. He is an avid fan of professional and collegiate football and basketball.
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