### SNL Finale Reflects on Momentous 50th Season with Scarlett Johansson

The final episode of "Saturday Night Live's" 50th season struck a contemplative rather than celebratory tone, showcasing a blend of humor and reflection. Scarlett Johansson, who made history with her seventh time hosting the show, led an emotional monologue set to the tune of Billy Joel’s "Piano Man." Accompanied by Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, and other cast members, Johansson reminisced about a year marked by significant events, including a high-stakes election, a milestone anniversary special, and a star-studded concert.

The song’s lyrics, poignantly capturing the season's essence, went: "Sing us a song, it's your monologue, the 50th season is through. It's lasting forever, we did it together, and we got to spend it with you." Adding a humorous twist, Johansson teased the audience with a false promise of Billy Joel’s appearance, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, Billy Joel!", before clarifying, "wrote this song."

Although this season did not see any cast departures, an unexpected joke hinted at Sarah Sherman's exit, adding an element of surprise. "It's been a great season and Sarah is leaving, we're all gonna miss you next year!" the cast sang. A visibly shocked Sherman responded, "Wait, what? Did you guys hear something?"

Highlighting the episode, Johansson’s husband, Colin Jost, who serves as a writer and "Weekend Update" co-anchor, maintained the tradition of trading risqué jokes with Michael Che. True to this tradition, Che humorously made Jost bring out Johansson to apologize for an off-color joke from a previous episode.

In a strikingly candid moment, Jost addressed speculations about the future leadership of SNL, light-heartedly urging legendary 80-year-old creator Lorne Michaels to step down with the quip, "Lorne, retire, bitch! Let me run the show."

A pre-recorded segment provided another layer of comedy, featuring a behind-the-scenes narrative where Johansson confesses her crush on Bowen Yang, who humorously reveals he has only pretended to be gay for publicity. This leads to a string of comedic revelations about Yang’s romantic escapades with other cast members and guest star Emily Ratajkowski.

The 50th season of SNL proved to be one rich with memorable moments, intricate humor, and heartfelt reflections, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for this television landmark.