Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter commence the 50th anniversary celebration of ‘SNL’ with a duet performance.

A clip of the “Simon & Carpenter” rendition of “Homeward Bound” can be viewed below, courtesy of SNL’s Instagram.

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Amy Poehler, who was part of the cast from 2001 to 2008, reflected on her long-standing connection to the show, stating, “I grew up with it; I was born in 1971, and it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.” She made these remarks on Sunday, just before the show’s commencement. “We have a performance to deliver in less than two hours, and returning is an incredible honor.”

The three-hour celebration follows months of festivities honoring “Saturday Night Live,” which debuted on October 11, 1975, featuring an original ensemble that included John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner.

Adam Sandler, who was a cast member from 1990 to 1995, expressed his admiration for the original cast, saying, “After the original cast, we were just thinking, those individuals accomplished everything for us. They excelled. We watched them from our homes, admired their films, and aspired to emulate their success.”

Over the years, the show has become a staple of television, satirizing presidents, politics, and pop culture while serving as a platform for the most prominent musical artists of the time. Despite the shift in television consumption due to streaming, “SNL” sketches, host monologues, and short comedic films continue to thrive on social media, often amassing millions of views on YouTube.

The 50th anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” commenced with a duet of Paul Simon’s “Homeward Bound,” performed by Simon and contemporary pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

At 83 years old, Simon has been a fixture on “SNL” since its inception in 1975 and notably performed on the first episode following the 9/11 attacks. He shared the stage with 25-year-old Carpenter, who humorously noted, “I was not born then,” eliciting laughter, to which she added, “And neither were my parents,” prompting an even greater response.

The special commemorates fifty seasons of “Saturday Night Live,” celebrating its sketches, songs, and special guests, marking a significant milestone in the show’s history. This cultural phenomenon has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous comedians, including Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy.

Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter commenced the 50th anniversary celebration of “Saturday Night Live” with a rendition of Simon’s song “Homeward Bound,” a piece he had previously performed alongside George Harrison on the show.

Following their performance, Steve Martin delivered a brief opening monologue, which was joined by Martin Short. Martin humorously remarked that SNL50 had strategically arranged the show to showcase a plethora of talent, including both past and present cast members, a notable array of former hosts, and several surprise appearances.

The three-hour special, featuring SNL alumni in honor of 50 years of sketch comedy, was broadcast live from New York City on NBC and Peacock, commencing at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.