‘SNL50’ Didn’t Shy Away From Controversy, With Kevin Spacey and P. Diddy Jabs

In 50 years, a lot of concepts can age poorly. That’s been the case for more than one (to say the least)Saturday Night Livesketch. During the50th Anniversary Specialfor the sketch comedy show,Tom Hankshosted a segment that featured some of the sketches that had aged poorly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the show has stopped their unsavory references altogether. More than once, during the special, even outside the “In Memoriam” segment, there were references to controversial figures in the entertainment industry—andSNL.

During the question and answer portion of the special, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, there were references made to controversial rapperYe, also known asKanye West, who was a seven-time musical guest on the variety show. He seemed to be alluded to again inAdam Sandler’s musical interlude, where the comedian referenced a musician who was revealed to be antisemitic, just days afterWest went on a days-long ranton X (formerly Twitter) where he praisedAdolf Hitler.

‘SNL’ Celebrated the Good and the Bad

There was also a reference to actorKevin Spacey, who hostedSNLtwice and has faced sexual misconduct allegations that led to his removal from the hit Netflix seriesHouse of Cardsin 2017. Not once, but twice, during the special, there were references toSean “P. Diddy” Combs,who is currently facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. References were made during the “Weekend Update” hosted byColin JostandMichael Che, as well as a clip from a skit P. Diddy featured in during the “In Memoriam” segment.

TheSaturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Specialwas hosted on NBC and Peacock. You can watch the “In Memoriam” segment above. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.