\n\tAt the top of host Amy Poehler<\/a>\u2019s SNL<\/em> monologue, she pointed out that the show had debuted exactly 50 years ago, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 1975. Since that milestone has already yielded four specials, including Questlove\u2019<\/a>s and Oz Rodriguez mostly superb Ladies & Gentlemen\u202650 Years of SNL Music<\/a><\/em> (a must-see for its thrilling opening, a visual DJ mix of performance clips), the show indulged nostalgia of more recent vintage. Poehler \u2014 hosting for her third time and appearing in almost every sketch \u2014 brought out her bestie Tina Fey <\/a>and Weekend Update<\/em> co-anchor Seth Meyers<\/a>, who are most closely associated with the 2000-2006 seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tIf there was a nod to SNL<\/a>\u2019s first decade, it was Role Model<\/a>\u2019s snake-hipped, butt-waggling performance of \u201cSally When the Wine Runs Out,\u201d a country-laced pop confection laced with \u201870s AM radio vibes. Decked out in sparkly elephant bells and a body-hugging knit shirt, Role Model himself could have been performing it on The Sonny & Cher Show <\/em>or, given the hayloft set, Hee-Haw<\/em>. (Not a diss \u2014 the musical guests on Hee-Haw <\/em>knew how to kick it.) Charli XCX<\/a>\u2019s dance cameo brought things back to the present, though her throwback Max\u2019s Kansas City t-shirt kept the \u201870s vibe going. A clap back at Taylor Swift<\/a>\u2019s \u201cActually Romantic\u201d? You\u2019ll find that addressed elsewhere<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tOverall, the show was not one for the time capsule, as the great Joe Franklin used to say. There were some big laughs \u2014 Colin Jost<\/a> deep faked into the much-seen video of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein sharing a laugh was a beautiful thing \u2014 but plenty of sketches felt heavy-handed. There\u2019s always next week, as Season 51 continues with Sabrina Carpenter <\/a>doing double duty as host and musical guest.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tUntil then, here\u2019s a ranking of the Oct. 11 sketches from worst to best.<\/p>\n
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