Sir Paul McCartney’s performance at the 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live got a positive reaction from celebrities in the audience.
SNL is turning 50 this year; the sketch comedy show—which premiered as NBC’s Saturday Night—first aired on October 11, 1975. SNL50: The Anniversary Special took place on Sunday with celebrity guests including: Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Mike Myers, Miley Cyrus, Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, The Roots, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul Simon, Bill Murray, Lil Wayne and countless others. The three-hour event was telecast from Studio 8H in New York City’s Rockefeller Center.
The Beatles singer, 82, sang “Carry That Weight,” while the camera panned to stars in the audience like Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, Paul Rudd, Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry Teller, and more. They clapped, danced and sang along to the song.
Spencer Althouse, editorial director at BuzzFeed, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, to share a video of the moment.
Althouse said: “the camera cutting to every single celeb in the audience rocking out to Paul McCartney while he sings on SNL…I really love moments like this tbh [to be honest].”
At the time of publication, the clip racked up more than 63,000 views and over 2,600 likes.
Jim Dyson/Getty Images; Dana Edelson/NBC via Getty Images
In the replies, X user @rosejade_eth wrote, “Epic moment.”
“look at this sea of celebrities my god,” @shayvswift added, while @MichelleRi65765 said, “KING.”
“No doubt, even other huge celebrities get starstuck [sic] by Paul. He is the top of the mountain,” @TheturningT shared.
“Carry That Weight!!! #PaulMcCartney #SNL,” @FindGod2025 posted.
“Why am I always tired and Paul McCartney is performing like this at 82 years old,” podcaster @kevinlockett commented.
“Amazing to watch. Since he’s 82 yrs old…he’s done 3?4? Live Shows in NYC this week…and then this performance! Wow. Amazed he still has a voice!!” @overstreet_anne wrote. “Love you Sir Paul !!”
Newsweek reached out to McCartney’s representative via email for comment on Monday.
McCartney’s Saturday Night Live performance came off the back of several sold-out shows in New York City. The Liverpool, England, native shared via Instagram last week that he would be performing at The Bowery Ballroom on February 11, 12 and 14.
“5:00pm Doors 6:30pm Showtime. All shows are now SOLD OUT,” the note read. “First come, first served. One ticket per person. Avoid purchasing tickets from third-party vendors. Fake tickets will not be honoured and entry will be denied.”
In an interview on TODAY in 2023, SNL cast member Mikey Day shared details about the then-upcoming anniversary event with hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.
“Oh my gosh, it’s going to be insane. I haven’t heard that much. I know Lorne’s slowly putting it together,” Day said, referring to Lorne Michaels—Saturday Night Live‘s creator and producer. “I believe every famous person in the universe will be there. It’s wild.”
