In a star-studded special celebrating 50 years of “Saturday Night Live,” a cameo by one Hollywood legend stood out among many surprise appearances.
Jack Nicholson appeared on “SNL50,” which aired on Feb. 16, by introducing Adam Sandler, who performed a song celebrating the history of the iconic late-night program.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Sandler,” the three-time Oscar winner said while decked out in a dark shirt, jacket and beret with the New York Yankees logo on it.
“Yeah, baby! Let’s hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight! Thank you, brother,” Sandler exclaimed while pointing to the crowd before he began his performance.
Nicholson, 87, has kept a low profile in recent years. He hasn’t appeared in a film or TV show since the 2010 movie “How Do You Know,” according to IMDB. He does have a connection with Sandler, though — the pair co-starred in the 2003 comedy “Anger Management,” with Nicholson playing an unconventional therapist tasked with helping Sandler, who plays a man who is wrongly placed in anger management.
Clad in a tuxedo, Sandler, an “SNL” cast member from 1991 to 1995, then launched into the type of original song for which he has become famous.
At times funny and heartwarming, the ditty paid homage to the show, with Sandler joking about things like the challenges of getting a sketch on the air and how it can be tough to work for Michaels.
“Fifty years of writers seeing (Steven) Spielberg at Lorne’s monitors, not laughing at one of their sketches that he obviously hated,” he sang. “Fifty years of those same writers then getting wasted at the after party and loudly telling everybody that ‘Jaws ‘was overrated.”
After calling the original show cast “the best,” Sandler then weaved his way into calling out a wide range of cast members, such as Eddie Murphy, Jan Hooks, Billy Crystal, Victoria Jackson, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman and Rachel Dratch, as well as others who worked behind the scenes.
Sandler also paid homage to the runs of two beloved late “SNL” stars.
“Six years of our boy (Chris) Farley, five of our buddy Norm (Macdonald),” he said, as the audience applauded while their respective faces appeared onscreen behind Sandler.
He continued to sing, mentioning how it’s been 50 years of getting to say, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” and 50 years of waving at the end of the show.
“Fifty years of the best times of our lives,” he sang as the song wrapped up, with the audience giving Sandler a standing ovation.
Many viewers took to social media to applaud Sander for his touching tribute.
“Adam Sandler’s song was the best part of the SNL 50th anniversary so far,” one user wrote on X.
“I knew Adam Sandler would kill all of us with his performance. Truly one of the most iconic personalities... #SNL50,” another wrote.