Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon Perform 'Homeward Bound' to Kick OffSNL's 50th Anniversary Special

Mar. 15, 2025

Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon in 2025.Photo:NBC

NBC

Sabrina CarpenterandPaul Simonare returning home toSaturday Night Livefor its 50th anniversary special.

On Sunday, Feb. 16, the “Espresso” songstress, 25, and “You Can Call Me Al” crooner and honoraryFive-Timers Clubmember, 83, kicked off the show with an acoustic version of the Simon & Garfunkel song “Homeward Bound.”

Simon said that he came onto the sketch show in 1976 to perform the song withGeorge HarrisonduringSNL’s second season. Meanwhile, Carpenter joked she hadn’t been born at that point — neither were her parents.

“Well, I’m glad they’ll get the chance to hear it tonight,” Simon said. “Me too!” Carpenter agreed, before performing the 1966 song.

Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon in 2025.NBC

The star-studded lineup ofSNL50: The Anniversary Specialalso includedSteve Martin,Tom Hanks,Scarlett Johansson,Ayo EdebiriandBad Bunny.

Other celebrities who took part in the historic special includedAdam Driver,Dave Chappelle,John Mulaney,Kim Kardashian,Martin Short,Miley Cyrus,Paul Simon,Pedro Pascal,Peyton Manning,Quinta Brunson,Robert De Niro, andWoody Harrelson.

Past cast members were also featured, includingAmy Poehler,Andy Samberg,Chevy Chase,Chris Rock,Eddie Murphy,Fred Armisen,Garrett Morris,Jane Curtin,Jason Sudeikis,Jimmy Fallon,Kate McKinnon,Kenan Thompson,Kristen Wiig,Laraine Newman,Maya Rudolph,Molly Shannon,Pete Davidson,Seth Meyers,Tina Fey,Tracy Morgan,Will FerrellandWill Forte.

Simon has made many appearances onSaturday Night Livethroughout its 50 years. Though he has only hosted four times in 1975, 1976, 1986 and 1987, the musician is considered a member of the Five-Timers Club for his contributions to the sketch show’s 100th episode in 1980.

He’s appeared as a musical guest over a dozen times as well and has made six cameos through the years.

Simon has also been close friends with the show’s creatorLorne Michaelsfor over 50 years. The singer offered to host the show’s first episode but Michaels, 80, turned him down, so he could “work out the kinks on the first show,” perVulture.

Simon would wind up pulling double-duty onSNL’s second episode in 1975, appearing as a co-musical guest with Randy Newman and Phoebe Snow. The following season, he came back to host,dressed as a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Paul Simon on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Meanwhile, Carpenter made herdebut on the showin May. At the time, she performed “Espresso,” “Feather” and “Nonsense.”

The day after her debut, Carpenter reflected on her experience on Instagram and made a cheeky reference to her “Espresso” lyrics.

“Literally working late cuz I’m a singer @nbcsnl thank you for having us I’m sooooo not chill about it and never will be,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, in November, Carpenter leaned into anSNLskit during herShort n' Sweet tourshow in Los Angeles. At her shows, the “Taste” singer “arrests” someone from the audience before the start of her song “Juno” — and she choseMarcello Hernández’s belovedSNLcharacter, Domingo.

“Sabrina, I’m here!” Hernández, 27, yelled from the crowd, according to a fan-captured footage onTikTok. The comedian then proceeded to say he’s the “cute boy with the blue jacket and the thick accent,” remixing her song “Bed Chem.”

When the Grammy-winner, asked “Domingo” if he had anything left to say — he broke into song.

“Came all the way / Had to explain / Direct from Domingo / Sabrina’s a friend / She’s like my sis / But I would hook up though,” he sang.

In theSNLskit,a group of bridesmaids reveal that the bride hooked up with Domingo at her bachelorette party to the tune of Carpenter’s hit song “Espresso.” Carpenter and Hernández revamped the sketch during the liveSNL50broadcast on Feb. 16, which featured a number of other buzzy stars.

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Last month, a four-part docuseries was released onPeacocktitledSNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. The docuseries featured over 60 contributors who reflected on five decades ofSaturday Night Live.

SNL50: The Anniversary Specialairs Sunday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

source: people.com