The bar for a Saturday Night Live season finale is always high. It’s the last impression of the year, the episode most likely to bring back familiar faces, and often celebrates the entire season. But looking at the past ten years, it’s hard to argue that any finale carries the same weight as season 51’s pairing of Saturday Night Live legend Will Ferrell and music icon Paul McCartney.
By bringing in Ferrell and McCartney, this isn’t just a strong finale. It’s arguably the biggest of the modern Saturday Night Live era.
During his run from 1995 to 2002, Ferrell helped define an entire generation of the show. From his hilariously take on President George W. Bush to unforgettable characters like Alex Trebek in “Celebrity Jeopardy,” Ferrell powered SNL through one of its most successful eras.
Ferrell’s post-SNL career elevated him into arguably the biggest comedy star the show has ever produced. Films like Anchorman, Elf, and Step Brothers shaped mainstream comedy for decades. His absurdist style, commitment, and overall ridiculousness influenced an entire generation of comedians and writers. His work after Saturday Night Live only made fans look back at his tenure with more appreciation.
Only a handful of SNL alumni can put their resumes up against Ferrell's production. Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Tina Fey are among those in the conversation for creating enduring characters, movie franchises, and television series. And just like the season 51 finale will be, it's a must-see event when they return to Saturday Night Live.
Then there's Paul McCartney. As a member of The Beatles, McCartney helped redefine popular music, influencing virtually every artist who followed. His songwriting catalog is one of the most celebrated in history, and decades into his career, he remains a living legend.
SNL has always prided itself on booking major musical guests for its finales, but McCartney operates on a different level. This isn’t just a popular artist closing out the season; it's something bigger. McCartney already had the honor of helping close out SNL’s 50th anniversary special, a moment that highlighted both his enduring relevance and the show’s respect for his legacy.
Looking back at recent finales, there have been plenty of memorable nights with A-list stars. Scarlett Johansson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, and Paul Rudd were all amazing hosts and deserved to get finales. The same goes for musical acts like Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lil Nas X. But no other finale in recent memory has combined generational comedy influence and musical history quite like season 51.
For Saturday Night Live fans, the stars just happened to align for this epic finale. Ferrell's new Netflix comedy series The Hawk arrives this summer. And McCartney announced his new album will drop on May 29.
Saturday Night Live season 51's finale will air on May 16.