The Very Hollywood Reason Why SNL50 Had A ‘Terrible Audience,’ According To Pete Davidson

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Attending the special 50th anniversary episode of Saturday Night Live in the 2025 TV lineup was such a blast. The main reason being the fantastic sketches, but another enjoyable aspect was taking breaks to observe the audience, spotting stars like Kevin Costner and Jenna Ortega sitting together, which isn’t something you see every day. However, it seems that having an impressive crowd has its drawbacks, as Pete Davidson revealed why they had a difficult audience at SNL 50.

During a particular episode of Late Night, host Seth Meyers inquired Davidson about whether he found it more anxiety-inducing to perform in a live sketch or to watch a pre-recorded one with an audience. Davidson’s quick reply to this query was:

To put it simply, as we learned from SNL40, that crowd was rather difficult to please… It seems they’re primarily composed of well-known figures, who tend to appreciate their own kind more than others. And yes, I must admit, I too have fallen into this trap at times.

In summary, Meyers concurred with Davidson throughout the discussion, and to add some humor, he jested that his guest was the sole individual who found amusing his Chad character from SNL’s 50th episode.

As I sat down to preview “Chad in 8H,” featuring the legendary Laraine Newman among the original cast, a contagious laugher filled the room. Here I am, immersed in this comedic spectacle!

During the “New York 50th Musical” special commemorating its 50th anniversary, you’ll find laughter and applause filling the air – an experience that’s available to enjoy in its entirety if you subscribe to Peacock.

However, we viewers weren’t in the room. So, really, we don’t know what the vibe was like live.

Though we can’t fully imagine the atmosphere of that room, we are well aware of how hilarious some big-name celebrities were during both the special and the Homecoming Concert. Sabrina Carpenter was present at SNL’s 50th anniversary, participating in the popular Domingo sketch alongside several former cast members such as Andy Samberg, Beck Bennett, and Maya Rudolph. Additionally, beloved hosts and guests like Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny were also involved.

Talking about Bad Bunny, he was among numerous prominent stars who joined in the tribute to some of The Lonely Island’s most famous digital shorts during the Homecoming Concert. While he performed an operatic adaptation of “I Just Had Sex,” Lady Gaga delivered a rendition of “Dick in a Box.

Meryl Streep appeared on Saturday Night Live for the first time during its 50th anniversary celebration. She starred in the “Close Encounter 50th” skit alongside Jon Hamm, Woody Harrelson, Pedro Pascal, Kate McKinnon, and Aidy Bryant.

Regarding Meryl Streep, it’s worth noting that Davidson found the crowd during his SNL 50 performance less appealing, but he certainly cherished being seated beside the iconic actress. As he put it himself:

In a casual and clear manner: It’s no secret that Meryl is amazing – even on Saturday Night Live, where things are often unpredictable and confusing, you might find yourself questioning what’s happening. When I took my seat next to her, I couldn’t help but think, “This can’t be right.” And it turned out to be Meryl Streep herself! Sitting there, I felt compelled to apologize for being in such close proximity to greatness. To my relief, she was gracious and kind.

Although Pete Davidson might not have enjoyed performing for that particular audience, it seemed like he had a good time just watching from his seat. Frankly, I can hardly fathom sharing a room with Meryl Streep, so the idea of being unexpectedly seated next to her is quite astonishing. Yet, it also seems delightful.

In that regard, I can’t help but think that performing in a setting like the SNL 50th anniversary show might be quite challenging due to its intimidating atmosphere. After all, it’s teeming with comedians who have significantly contributed to the show’s success, as well as an abundance of high-profile actors, performers, and celebrities.

Despite the challenges, they managed everything exceptionally, leading to an enormous triumph. Moving forward, we’re aiming for Season 51 of SNL, hoping that the audience will earn Pete Davidson’s approval.

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2025-08-09 23:42