SNL

The "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special wasn't about to come and go without a couple shots at Bronny James ... with the Lakers rookie's name getting dropped for laughs during the show.

The 20-year-old was targeted toward the beginning of "Weekend Update" ... with Michael Che uttering a wisecrack about bringing his own form of nepotism to the staple sketch.

"Me and Colin [Jost] are actually the longest serving 'Weekend Update' anchors," Che said. "I've done 'Weekend Update' for so long, next season I'm co-hosting with my son, Bronny."

Ryan Reynolds made a laughing matter out of his and Blake Lively's nasty legal battle with Justin Baldoni at 'SNL 50' Sunday night ... appearing briefly in a bit as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler surveyed the crowd for celebrity guests.

Check out the clip ... the "Saturday Night Live" icons ask him ... "How’s it going?" to which he quips ... "Great! Why, what have you heard?"

Fans can see Blake was all smiles as her hubby got some camera time ... though she looked like she saw a ghost when he asked his rhetorical question.

We were expecting a raucous retrospective on Sunday night's "Saturday Night Live" 50th Anniversary show ... and one of the hosts ratcheted it up a notch, going straight for the jugular with a lethal observation.

In the opening monologue, Steve Martin introduced comedian John Mulaney, and the two tuxedoed raconteurs reminisced over the many hosts over the years ... with Mulaney observing, "894 people have hosted 'Saturday Night Live,' and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."

That brought a mixture of laughter and groans from the audience, and Martin. There have been a few hosts over the years associated with untimely deaths ... but only two of them have actually been charged with murder.

Kim Kardashian's famous backside made an early appearance on the 50th anniversary special for "Saturday Night Live" ... with Kristen Wiig pretending to smack on her behind like bongos.

In the first sketch after the monologue on 'SNL50,' Kardashian appeared as one of the Maharelle Sisters -- the singing quartet with three gorgeous sisters and then Dooneese, a character played by Wiig with a huge forehead, tiny hands and a nasally singing voice.

In this particular version, Will Ferrell -- playing Robert Goulet -- is on "The Lawrence Welk Show" trying to find choose between three women Ana Gasteyer, Scarlett Johansson and Kardashian ... but, Dooneese keeps getting in the way.

Aubrey Plaza made her first appearance back in public since the tragic passing of her husband who died by suicide earlier this year.

Aubrey introduced Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard's musical act during the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special on Sunday night. It's the first time the public has seen Aubrey since her husband, Jeff Baena died by suicide at the beginning of January.

Days after Jeff's death, Aubrey was scheduled to present at the Golden Globe but understandably did not attend.

"Saturday Night Live" has been on 50 years ... and, some of the biggest stars in Hollywood gathered to celebrate the brilliant sketch comedy show -- bringing their best style to the carpet.

Cast members Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig brought some spice to the carpet ... with Maya showing off her bright blue dress and Kristen throwing on a revealing, sheer black ensemble. Blake Lively, who hosted the show back in 2009 wore a low-cut silver dress to the event.

The guys brought their A-game too ... with Tracy Morgan and Darrell Hammond stunning in their suits.

5:00 PM PT -- Blake and Ryan kept their fun weekend going on Sunday ... stopping by "SNL 50" to show love for the sketch comedy show they've both previously hosted.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds might be in the middle of some legal drama, but they're still finding time to celebrate ... showing up to Chris Rock's birthday party and taking a pic with a controversial comic actor.

Hidden behind this "Saturday Night Live" legend is a gal from up north who ventured to LA in the early 2000s. Given the clues, can you guess who this mashed up celeb is? You've got this!

She started her career at the infamous sketch comedy school, The Groundlings, and was off to 'SNL' from there. She's also no stranger to box office. You'd definitely want her as one of your bridesmaids!

Her final performance on 'SNL' may have been back in 2012, but she's set to hit the iconic Studio 8H this weekend for the 50th Anniversary special!

Will Ferrell's looks over the years make him one sexy spartan!

Here is a 30-year-old version of the "Saturday Night Live" star rockin' the bowl cut and side burns for his iconic sketch turned movie "A Night At The Roxbury" back in 1998 (left).

And, nearly three decades later Mr. Ferrell was cool and casual at last month's screening of "You're Cordially Invited" in NYC (right). He may be showin' some gray, but in our eyes, he can still get it all night and all day 😜!

With show-stopping impersonations of stars like Alex Trebek, Harry Carey, George Bush  ... the only thing his rugged beauty could use is a little more cowbell!

The question here is ...

'SNL 50' put on a concert for the ages Friday night in NYC ... as several superstar musicians and former cast joined forces to celebrate 'Saturday Night Live's half-century milestone!

Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon and Bill Murray were some of the highlights in the packed" SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert" show ... which also featured performances by Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin, Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Post Malone.

Miley worked the stage — and the audience — as the three-time Grammy winner performing at Radio City Music Hall early into the multi-hour celebratory event. MC belted Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with Brittany Howard, as well as her Grammy-winning hit, "Flowers."

John Goodman is part of the fabric of "Saturday Night Live" but he's going to be MIA from the big 50th anniversary special ... and now we know why.

Sources close to John tell TMZ ... he was invited to participate in 'SNL 50' this weekend but he is missing the reunion because of prior work commitments.

We're told John is across the pond filming an Alejandro G. Iñárritu movie with Tom Cruise and can not break from production to travel back to New York City for 'SNL 50.'

Steve Martin is gearing up for one of the biggest performances of his career for the 'SNL' 50th anniversary special ... and he's doing it alongside some of his famous friends.

Steve turned heads on Thursday night at the legendary Comedy Cellar in NYC, when he spontaneously took the stage to workshop material. Sources with knowledge tell us his jokes are in preparation for the massive 'SNL' show this upcoming Sunday.

We're told 'SNL' legends Martin Short and John Mulaney joined Steve onstage and participated in his bit.

"Saturday Night Live" is gearing up for its epic 50th anniversary, and it's shaping up to be a spectacular episode ... 'cause a bunch of superstars were spotted rolling in for rehearsals.

The guest list is insane -- we’re talking Wyclef Jean, Nick Carter ... and Cher herself!

The whole Backstreet Boys crew showed up Wednesday night in NYC, with Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough bringing that Larger Than Life energy to the party. Check out the gallery with last night's arrivals!

O.J. Simpson really killed it with the ladies ... with former "Saturday Night Live" star Laraine Newman revealing The Juice was a "good kisser."

Laraine did some kissing and telling Tuesday night on 'Watch What Happens Live' ... telling host Andy Cohen about her fond memories of O.J.

A bunch of 'SNL' alums -- Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Cheri Oteri and Cecily Strong -- were being asked if athletes made good 'SNL' hosts when Andy asked the women if they were on the NBC sketch comedy show back in the day when O.J. hosted.

Timothée Chalamet hasn't won a single award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in, "A Complete Unknown," but, turns out, he's kinda used to losing, at this point ... and has no problem poking fun at himself over it.

The actor hosted 'SNL' for the third time last night -- with girlfriend Kylie Jenner nowhere in sight -- and, during his monologue, he acknowledged all the acclaim and nominations he's gotten for the Dylan biopic, but he doesn't seem hopeful about taking home any hardware.

Timothée kicked off the bit by pointing out he just keeps losing at award shows and it's getting harder each time to smile and act like he's chill about it.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's gonna need a rewrite on his smash hit musical "Hamilton" if President Trump gets his way ... or, at least, that's the 'SNL' take on the first week of his 2nd term.

The every-award-winning play and filmmaker made a guest appearance for the 'SNL' cold open, but just 30 seconds into his bit, he gets cut off by Trump -- played by James Austin Johnson. Lin-Manuel sings, "In America we will never have a king," perfectly teeing up Trump's line ... "Never say never. I'm in my king era."

'SNL's Trump says he's building a new America just like the founding fathers did -- "very whitely," and touts the death of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives.