A Critical Review of Musical Performances from SNL’s 50th Season

NPR’s Stephen Thompson reviews and ranks the musical guests from Saturday Night Live’s landmark 50th season, highlighting the show’s eclectic but uneven musical booking. The season featured a mix of established stars, rising talent, and fading legacy acts. Chappell Roan received praise for her performance, while Arcade Fire and Coldplay were criticized for uninspired and flat sets. The piece also pointed out Morgan Wallen’s apparent disinterest and absence from the show’s closing moments, sparking commentary on his commitment. Elton John and Brandi Carlile were deemed underwhelming despite their star power, and Charli XCX’s performances were marked by poor production despite her energy. Meanwhile, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, and Hozier offered mixed results, with some memorable highlights, particularly Hozier’s rendition of ‘Fairytale of New York.’ The article emphasizes effort and creativity as key factors in memorable SNL performances, while also noting the challenges of performing on the show due to its inconsistent sound quality and stage limitations. Overall, the rankings provide a critical but often humorous lens on what worked and what didn’t in the musical segment of SNL’s 50th season.