It wouldn’t be a Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary celebration without a John Mulaney musical sketch.
Once again joined by Pete Davidson, Sunday night’s iteration had some subtle political undertones as it took viewers on a journey through New York City’s own history over the past five decades.
The sketch began with Mulaney selling hot dogs and heroin in 1973 Times Square, when he’s approached by Davidson and David Spade as two transplants with “dreams of making it big” in the city.
Mulaney’s hot dog salesman is taken aback, explaining that “New York is dying. It’s a bankrupt hellhole.”
But regardless, the men plan to persevere. Cue Adam Driver and Maya Rudolph as said hot dog and heroin, respectively, to kick off the musical numbers, which are meant to show the two newcomers “what New York is all about.”
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Naturally, part of New York City’s history is its mayors, the good and the bad. The sketch took some vague swipes at a few of them, starting with Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani. McKinnon spoofed the Broadway show Hamilton with help from the creator himself, Lin-Manuel Miranda, singing “I Am Throwing Away My Shot.”
Lyrics included, “Election conspiracy is gonna rise up” and “I’m just like my city, I’m drunk, corrupt and crazy.”
As the sketch arrived in present-day, Mulaney introduced the men to Devon Walker as Eric Adams, who Mulaney said “brought the swagger back to NYC.” Joked Walker: “Homeless dudes who want to push people onto the subway tracks? They got that swagger back!”
After, Mulaney lamented how “Somehow New York today feels like it’s back in the ’70s. Back on skid row.”
The sketch ended with an appearance from Scarlett Johansson and Paul Rudd complaining about e-bikes in the city to the tune of “Suddenly, Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors.
Other iconic Mulaney musical sketch characters that reappeared for the lengthy number were Kristen Wiig’s Green M&M, Taran Killam as the dead baby bear that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. left in Central Park, and Rudolph as the Statue of Liberty.
Watch the full sketch below.
New York 50th Musical#SNL50 pic.twitter.com/UukZq4SGXG
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) February 17, 2025
The post ‘SNL50’: John Mulaney & Pete Davidson Bring Iconic Musical Sketches To Anniversary Show, Poking Fun At Rudy Giuliani & “Election Conspiracy” With Help Of Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared first on Deadline.
