Countless comedians who have become household names got their big break on SNL, and last weekend was a momentous occasion for the live comedy show with 40 years on the air. NBC celebrated the big event with a star-studded night of A-list celebrities and former cast members gathered together at Studio 8H.
The lights were dimmed, and a single spotlight shines on the lone figure on the stage decked out in a tux, top hat, and cane. Clearly ready to belt out his big opening number like a Broadway extravaganza.
"It's time for --" Jimmy Fallon, SNL alumnus and current host of The Tonight Show, began to sing before he was interrupted by Justin Timberlake.
At first, Fallon objects to the sudden upstaging, saying that the night is dedicated to the legendary sketches, catch phrases, and comedians who have stood on the SNL stage throughout the years. However, the pair immediately gets back in tandem and breaks out into a rap to honor the 4 decades of laughs on the Saturday Night Live stage.
See how many references you can pick out:
Schwing! We come from France. We're here to pump (clap!) you up! You look marvelous! No one can resist my schwety balls... Simmer down now!
And that's not even half of it!
Justin gets handed with a gift box which he strategically holds in front of his crotch as he croons one of his hit SNL shorts, "D**k in a Box." When Timberlake drops the gift wrapped present, it becomes the perfect opportunity for Fallon to bend over to help pick it up and segway into one of SNL's most famous animated shorts, The Ambiguously Gay Duo.
The opening musical rap number also featured cameos by Rachel Dratch as her famous character, Debbie Downer, and Molly Shannon -- Supah-stah!!!
But the show didn't end there. The duo also sang and danced their way to introduce all the special guests who would be making special appearance on the momentous anniversary of the show.
And finally, those iconic words were declared:
"Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
