Saturday Night Live Launches 50th Season with a Bang
The illustrious Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicked off its much-anticipated 50th season on March 29, 2025, with an exciting premiere episode. This milestone event featured the return of country star Morgan Wallen as its musical guest, marking his second appearance on the iconic show.
Musical Performances from I’m The Problem
During the episode, Wallen thrilled audiences by performing two singles from his forthcoming album, I’m The Problem, which is set for release on May 16. He shared the title track along with “Just In Case,”both of which are part of his fourth studio album. Longer anticipated, fans have eagerly awaited new music from Wallen ever since the release of his last full-length album, One Thing at a Time, in 2023.
Wallen’s Complex Journey
Wallen’s return to SNL not only centered around his music but also reignited discussions about his controversial public image. His initial SNL appearance in 2020 was canceled due to a breach of COVID-19 protocols, although he later returned that same year. However, his career faced scrutiny in 2021 when a video surfaced of him using a racial slur, which prompted temporary distancing from streaming platforms and his record label.
Fan Reactions and Criticism
Following the premiere, reactions from fans on social media were loud and varied. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their mixed feelings about Wallen’s performance and his behavior during the show. An array of tweets criticized him for leaving before the end credits rolled and included comments like:
“Not only is Morgan Wallen literally the worst, that guitar was purely decorative,”one fan commented.
“Wow, Morgan Wallen is a piece of s**t and happy to tell everyone,”another user expressed.
“Morgan Wallen is easily some of the worst music I’ve ever heard. Thank you SNL!”an X user wrote.
Criticism also arose regarding Wallen’s early exit from the show. Viewers noted his abrupt departure, commenting:
“So I was watching SNL and the musical guest Morgan Wallen just basically immediately left, walking in the path of the main camera,”one person remarked.
“Why the f**k did SNL even give Morgan Wallen a platform here lmao,”a fan wrote.
“Morgan Wallen proving once again he has ZERO self-control and storming off the stage before the credits even rolled,”a viewer stated.
What to Expect from SNL’s 50th Season Premiere
The premiere episode not only showcased Wallen’s performances but also featured Mikey Madison, star of Anora and recent Best Actress winner, in her debut as host. Madison presented her unique blend of relaxed vibe intertwined with dramatics as she addressed her diverse acting roles, including her fiery scenes in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and Scream 5.
This episode highlighted SNL’s signature humor through sketches such as a parody of the recent “Signalgate”scandal, a personal monologue featuring Madison’s childhood anecdotes, and famous recurring sketches like “Acting Teacher 2” and “Barry the Midwife.”
Fans were delighted by a surprise appearance from Joe Jonas and a comedic segment from the Please Don’t Destroy team, which introduced a clever “serious”Squidward sketch. Viewers can catch up on this milestone season via streaming platforms like NBC and Peacock.