SNL 50th Anniversary Special, ‘Conclave’ Dominates BAFTA, and New TV Seasons Shine in a Star-Studded Weekend

1 – paul simon

The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live was an unforgettable event, filled with legendary moments and A-list guests. Steve Martin, a frequent host since 1976, kicked off the show with his signature humor, playfully acknowledging the star-studded audience and poking fun at the show’s underappreciated writers.

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John Mulaney, a former SNL writer, joined Martin for a humorous conversation, with Mulaney mocking Martin’s lack of recent accolades. Paul Simon, who collaborated with pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter on “Homeward Bound,” also had an unforgettable performance that night. Simon, a prominent character in SNL history, presented amusing anecdotes from his previous appearances.

The anniversary special featured surprise guests from Hollywood giants such as Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, and Mulaney humorously described the audience as “some of the most difficult people I’ve ever met.” The show, which aired live on NBC and Peacock, recognized SNL’s effect by spotlighting its rich history, star power, and unrivaled legacy in TV humor.

2 – South Korean Actress Kim Sae-ron Found Dead at 24

Kim Sae-ron, 24, a South Korean actress, was found dead at her home on Sunday, according to a police spokesman. Kim’s blossoming career was ruined by a drunk driving incident in 2022. A friend who came to meet her discovered her body and alerted the authorities. Police found no evidence of foul play.

Kim’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow performers and fans. Kim Min-che, her co-star in the 2018 film The Villagers, paid tribute to her and expressed her regret at her passing. Other celebrities, including as Seo Ye-ji and Kim Ok-vin, left flower tributes in her honor.

Kim Sae-ron began acting at age 9 and was celebrated for her roles in films like A Brand New Life and The Man from Nowhere. Her breakthrough performance in A Brand New Life earned praise at the Cannes Film Festival. Kim’s last appearance was in the 2023 Netflix series Bloodhounds. Fans and peers alike mourn the loss of a talented and beloved actress.

3 – SNL 50th Anniversary Special: A Star-Studded Celebration

Saturday Night Live celebrated its 50th anniversary in big style, bringing together alumni, former hosts, and stars from all eras. The opening hour of the three-hour show included nostalgic callbacks, with Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, and Kate McKinnon reprising legendary roles. McKinnon’s Mrs. Rafferty, together with Pedro Pascal and Woody Harrelson, recounted a humorous narrative about an alien encounter, while Meryl Streep appeared as her chain-smoking mother.

Other highlights included Andy Samberg’s digital short about the difficulties of working at SNL, as well as Adam Sandler’s touching tribute song to late cast mates Chris Farley and Norm McDonald. Steve Martin, who has hosted 16 times, made jokes about his age and the special’s production.

Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter performed, as did Miley Cyrus, who sparkled on the red carpet in a black gown before going on to sing. Miley reflected on her early days at SNL, discussing the difficulty and thrill of working on the show, particularly amid her contentious career shift.

4 – SNL50: Bill Murray and Classic Characters Return

Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary spurred a celebration of the show’s history, with many favorite characters returning. Weekend Update began by welcoming back Bill Murray to list the show’s top anchors. Before Murray, we saw Cecily Strong’s Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With and Bobby Moynihan’s Drunk Uncle, both of whom are now married, with Girl serving as Donald Trump’s new press secretary.

Murray wasted no time in declaring Michael Che his top pick, but with a self-deprecating joke, disqualified himself, saying he was on “performance-enhancing drugs” during his time. He also ranked Colin Quinn, Kevin Nealon, Dennis Miller, Seth Meyers, and the legendary Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. To everyone’s surprise, Colin Jost didn’t make the list at all. Chevy Chase only ranked third, and the top spot went to Murray’s brother, Brian Doyle-Murray.

Murray also revived his iconic Nick the Lounge Singer character, performing a hilarious Valentine’s Day-themed monologue with Paul Shaffer and joined by Maya Rudolph, Cecily Strong, and Ana Gasteyer for a soulful rendition of “You’re All I Need to Get By.

5 – Season 3 of The White Lotus Brings Drama and Mystery to Thailand

The White Lotus, created by Mike White, returns for a thrilling third season set on Thailand’s idyllic island of Ko Samui. Following the success of past seasons in Hawaii and Italy, this installment will launch on February 16 (HBO, 9 EST/PST, streaming on Max). While tragic Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge) will not return, Natasha Rothwell will reprise her role as Belinda Lindsey, the spa manager from the Hawaiian resort.

The season begins with a mysterious dead body and a frightening flash-forward depicting a hotel guest’s meditation disturbed by gunfire. As panic grows, a body is found floating in the ocean. One week before, a diverse group of American tourists arrives, including the bubbly Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and her grumpy boyfriend Rick (Walton Goggins), a Southern family led by a high-powered finance executive (Jason Isaacs), and childhood friends Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon). Tensions increase among the visitors as their dynamics play out, with hints of unpleasant secrets and upsetting confrontations ahead.

6 – Conclave” Dominates 78th BAFTA Awards

The papal thriller Conclave won four honors, including Best Picture, at the 78th British Academy Film honors on Sunday. Ralph Fiennes portrays a cardinal negotiating political intrigue during a papal election. The film was also awarded Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing. The Brutalist tied Conclave’s winning total with four medals, including Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody.

Mikey Madison earned Best Actress for her role in the Brooklyn tragicomedy Anora. Emilia Pérez, a genre-bending musical, clinched the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, with Zoe Saldaña winning for Supporting Actress.

The awards season remains highly competitive, with Conclave’s triumph at the BAFTAs setting it up as a strong contender for the Oscars. The evening, hosted by David Tennant, included a lively singalong and memorable fashion moments on the red carpet. The BAFTA wins further heighten anticipation for Hollywood’s Academy Awards on March 2.

SUMMARY
This weekend’s entertainment scene was packed with excitement as SNL celebrated its 50th anniversary with star-studded reunions, while Conclave dominated at the BAFTA awards. New TV series like The White Lotus and Emilia Pérez kept viewers hooked. For more details, CLICK here