Mulaney, who was once a writer on the show and has returned mutliple times to host (and sing ), kicks things off as a vendor selling hot dogs and heroin in New York in 1975, when the city was more gritty and “ SNL ” was just starting out.

Killer hosts. John Mulaney joined Steve Martin during the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” opening monologue and noted that over the last 50 years, 894 people have hosted the NBC sketch comedy series. “And it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder,” Mulaney added, which sparked laughter from Martin, 79, and the star-studded audience.