"A real legend": Fans react as Adam Sandler sang '50 Years' at SNL50 Anniversary special

The Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special (SNL50) was packed with nostalgia, great performances, and more. One of the most emotional moments of the night came from Adam Sandler, who took the stage with his acoustic guitar to perform a tribute song titled 50 Years.

The song celebrated the show’s five-decade-long journey and honored late cast members like Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, and Norm Macdonald. You can see Adam Sandler's performance for the event below:

Sandler was a former SNL cast member from 1991 to 1995. He is beloved for bringing comedy and music together, a signature element of his time on the show. He returned to Studio 8H with a performance that balanced humor and sentimentality, which earned praise from fans.

The performance was introduced by Jack Nicholson, marking a rare public appearance by the legendary actor. As Sandler played, multiple viewers reflected on the impact of SNL and the multiple artists it has brought into the spotlight.

On Saturday Night Live—SNL, the show's official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Adam Sandler's performance video was shared with a caption that read:

"Adam Sandler's Song: 50 Years"

Fans were quick to hype the post with their wholesome comments. One such netizen commented:

"A real legend."

Below are what some of the other fans had to share in the comment section:

"The sand man always delivers. Well done.", declared a fan.

"Haha, I loved this. Congratulations SNL", lauded another.

"Hard to believe it's been 50 years.", reminicised a third.

"Loved Adam Sandler's 50 Years at #SNL50! So nostalgic!", joined in a fourth.

"Throwback to when we were real.", noted a fifth.

"It’s raining really hard on my eyes", expressed an X user.

"That could have been the whole show and it would have been great.", declared another.

"Moving seeing folks no longer with us like the great Jan Hooks.", shared a third.

"Did not expect this song to make me cry.", commented a fourth.

"Adam Sandler, job well done!', expressed a fifth.

"Sandler's performance was both comedic and poignant, perfectly capturing the essence of the show's legacy.", lauded a fan.

Sandler opened his song with a joke, singing:

"Everyone in this room has something in common, all of our lives were changed by this show. Everyone in this room has something else in common, we weren’t allowed to use the little bathroom in Lorne’s office."

Adam Sandler then continued weaving in behind-the-scenes jokes about cast members, writers, SNL’s traditions, and more. He poked fun at unpicked sketches, some hosts, and a moment where Steven Spielberg silently watched an SNL skit.

As the song progressed, Sandler reminisced about 50 years of comedians taking the stage and leaving behind unforgettable performances. His lyrics also noted the highs and lows of SNL.