The special's audience included A-listers like Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Keke Palmer, and Drew Barrymore.Paul Shaffer, Nancy Juvonen, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Keke Palmer, and Drew Barrymore at "SNL50." Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images In his opening monologue, Steve Martin gave a shout-out to Dave Letterman in the crowd and poked fun at the comedian's beard: "Dave, thanks for leaving the sheep at home," Martin quipped.Pete Davidson and Meryl Streep were seated side-by-side.Pete Davidson and Meryl Streep at "SNL50." Chris Haston/NBC via Getty Images "SNL" alumnus Pete Davidson revived his character Chad for a pre-recorded sketch with Laraine Newman, an original cast member, while Meryl Streep made her "SNL" debut in a new edition of the much-loved "Close Encounter" sketch.Ryan Reynolds made a cameo during a Q&A segment.Ryan Reynolds in the audience at "SNL50." Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty Images "SNL" alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted an audience Q&A bit during the "SNL50" special, calling on celebrities in the crowd to ask questions about the show's history.When Fey asked Reynolds how it was going, he cheekily replied, "Great! Why, what have you heard?" a veiled reference to he and his wife Blake Lively's ongoing legal battle with her "It Ends with Us" costar and director Justin Baldoni.Reynolds was joined by Lively, as well as fellow movie stars Paul Rudd, Rita Wilson, and Tom Hanks in the row behind him.Rudd and Hanks both appeared in sketches during the special: "New York 50th Musical" and "Black Jeopardy," respectively.Jon Hamm also participated in the audience Q&A sketch.Jon Hamm in the audience at "SNL50." Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images Jon Hamm had a simple question for Fey and Poehler: "I've hosted three times, and I know I'm 'part of the family,' but, uh am I funny?"Fey replied, "Whenever we ask you do to a bit, you always say yes. And that's what counts."Hamm later co-starred in the "Close Encounter" sketch with Aidy Bryant, Woody Harrelson, Pedro Pascal, Kate McKinnon, and Streep.Bad Bunny popped up during the Q&A in addition to appearing in the "Vow Renewal" sketch.Bad Bunny in the crowd at "SNL50." Chris Haston/NBC via Getty Images Bad Bunny played Santiago, the "hot brother" to Marcello Hernndez's Domingo and Pascal's Ronaldo.Tim Meadows and Quinta Brunson engaged in some banter.Tim Meadows in the audience at "SNL50." Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty Images Tim Meadows replied to a question posed by "Abbott Elementary" star Quinta Brunson, who wanted to know what he whispered to "SNL" musical guest Sade during a 1993 episode."If it was March '93, I'm pretty sure I was saying, 'Hey, Sade, do you wanna drink some Zima with me in my dressing room? We could play Mortal Kombat 1 and watch the new, cool Menendez trial,'" Meadows replied."Also, it worked, by the way," Meadows added. "Sade and I are still together."Keith Richards joked that he left a scarf at "SNL" in 1988.Keith Richards in the audience at "SNL50." Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images "I'm kind of wondering if anybody's seen it around," Keith Richards joked when Fey and Poehler singled him out in the crowd.The camera then cut to Zach Galifianakis with a scarf wrapped around his head."Look, it's simply not here, OK?" Galifianakis yelled. "Can we all just stop looking? Next question."Seth Rogen, Seth Meyers, Sarah Silverman, Ayo Edebiri, and Miles Teller could also be spotted in the audience seated near Richards. Meyers, a former "SNL" writer and "Weekend Update" host, even made fun of Fey and Poehler for orchestrating the audience Q&A to give more airtime to celebrities.Alec Baldwin and Brandi Carlile took a moment to catch up in the crowd.Alec Baldwin and Brandi Carlile in the audience at "SNL50." Chris Haston/NBC via Getty Images Alec Baldwin has hosted "SNL" more than anyone else in history, leading 17 episodes since 1990.Grammy winner Brandi Carlile has been a musical guest twice.Anthony Kiedis, Chris Pine, and J.J. Abrams chatted on the red carpet.Anthony Kiedis, Chris Pine, and J. J. Abrams at "SNL50." NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Chris Pine, who hosted "SNL" in 2017, took time to chat with Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Kiedis and director J.J. Abrams.As did "SNL" alums Chevy Chase, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan.Chevy Chase, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan at "SNL50." Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Tracy Morgan appeared as a game show contestant in "Black Jeopardy" alongside Kenan Thompson, Leslie Jones, and Eddie Murphy.Ayo Edebiri, Kenan Thompson, Marcello Hernndez, Jay Pharoah, Martin Short, and Ego Nwodim posed for a photo together.Ayo Edebiri, Kenan Thompson, Marcello Hernndez, Jay Pharoah, Martin Short, and Ego Nwodim at "SNL50." Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images "The Bear" star Ayo Edebiri appeared in a "Debbie Downer" sketch with Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, Robert De Niro, and Rachel Dratch, while Martin Short was introduced as "the only Canadian who wasn't in 'Schitt's Creek'" during the monologue."Superbad" costars Seth Rogen and Emma Stone snacked on popcorn while walking the red carpet.Seth Rogen and Emma Stone attend "SNL50." Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images During the special, Emma Stone arrived onstage to introduce a segment about physical comedy.Kim Kardashian posed for a photo with comedians Janine Brito, Sarah Silverman, and Paula Pell.Janine Brito, Sarah Silverman, Paula Pell, and Kim Kardashian at "SNL50." Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johansson, and Ana Gasteyer played sisters in the "Lawrence Welk" sketch, which saw Kristen Wiig reprise her tiny-handed character, Dooneese.Awkwafina and Sandra Oh made sure to catch the show.Awkwafina and Sandra Oh walk the red carpet at "SNL50." NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Awkwafina and Sandra Oh have both hosted "SNL" once each, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Christine Taylor, and Ben Stiller were among the notable attendees.Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Christine Taylor, and Ben Stiller at "SNL50." Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Kevin Bacon hosted "SNL" back in 1991, while Ben Stiller has hosted twice: in 1998 and 2011.Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick also walked the red carpet.Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick at "SNL50." Taylor Hill/FilmMagic "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker hosted "SNL" in 1994. Her husband, "Ferris Bueller" star Matthew Broderick, hosted two different episodes in 1998.Bowen Yang and Nick Jonas were both featured in the special.Bowen Yang and Nick Jonas at "SNL50." NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Bowen Yang, a current "SNL" cast member, appeared with Andy Samberg in a digital short about anxiety.Nick Jonas made a subtle cameo in the "New York 50th Musical" number as a nod to his former role in Broadway's "Les Misrables."Whoopi Goldberg turned up for the big event.Whoopi Goldberg at "SNL50." Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images When asked about the "biggest obstacle facing young comedians today" during a red carpet interview, Whoopi Goldberg replied, "Being funny."Adria Arjona and Jason Momoa walked the red carpet together.Adria Arjona and Jason Momoa attend "SNL50." NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty Images Jason Momoa also made a cameo during the audience Q&A to flirt with Donna Richards, who leads the show's wardrobe team and "has seen every celebrity here in their underpants."Lady Gaga attended with her fianc, Michael Polansky.Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky walk the red carpet for "SNL50." NBC/Noam Galai/NBC via Getty Images Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky have been together since 2019. They got engaged in 2024.Halsey went to the after-party at the Plaza Hotel with her fianc, Avan Jogia.Halsey and Avan Jogia attend the "SNL50" after-party. The Hapa Blonde/GC Images Halsey has performed on "SNL" four times and made her hosting debut in 2019.Aziz Ansari was also spotted outside the Plaza.Aziz Ansari attends the "SNL50" after-party. Raymond Hall/GC Images "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Ansari hosted "SNL" in 2017.Jenna Ortega was seen in the audience before she attended the after-party.Jenna Ortega attends the "SNL50" after-party. Raymond Hall/GC Images Jenna Ortega and Kevin Costner, seated side-by-side in the crowd, were caught between Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte singing aggressively at each other (dressed as a pimp and a Times Square Elmo, respectively).Anya Taylor-Joy attended the event wearing Thierry Mugler couture.Anya Taylor-Joy attends the "SNL50" after-party. XNY/Star Max/GC Images Anya Taylor-Joy hosted "SNL" in 2021, though she's also been impersonated on the show by Melissa Villaseor.Adam Driver was featured in two segments during the anniversary special.Adam Driver attends the "SNL50" after-party. Aeon/GC Images Four-time "SNL" host Adam Driver made a cameo during the audience Q&A portion with Julia Louis-Dreyfus before reappearing as a hot dog during the "New York 50th Musical" sketch costarring a huge cast of alums like John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Alex Moffat, Taran Killam, Kyle Mooney, and Cecily Strong.