'Saturday Night Live' Celebrates 40 Years

— -- Eddie Murphy stood on the stage in which his fame was forged – back again after all these years away – and compared the feeling to high school.

"SNL 40" resembled a reunion in many ways: familiar faces, old laughs, reflections of those who passed away.

Sunday’s special honored four decades of “Saturday Night Live,” and featured dozens of notable guests and moments: Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake performing a medley; Will Ferrell reprising his “Jeopardy!” hosting gig, much to the chagrin of Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery; Dan Aykroyd’s magic “Bass-o-Matic” blender; Paul Simon and Paul McCartney’s spirited performances; Kanye West being Kanye West; a new installment of “Wayne’s World” on Cable 10, Aurora, Illinois’ community access channel; and if all of that wasn’t enough, Bradley Cooper as a SoCal pool boy, locking lips with 93-year-old Betty White.

Chris Rock, himself a cast member from 1990 to 1993, introduced Murphy.

“Every couple of years, the media tries to call some new comic the next Eddie Murphy,” Rock said. “You know, Martin Lawrence was the next Eddie Murphy. Chris Rock is the next Eddie Murphy. Kevin Hart’s the next Eddie Murphy. There is no next Eddie Murphy.”

The crowd applauded Murphy’s return, and Murphy returned the clapping. He hadn’t been back to Studio 8H since hosting an episode in December 1984.

“This show is such a big part of who I am, in my life, and I’m so happy to be back here, and it’s just a magical feeling. Actually feels like going back to my old high school,” Murphy said.

Sunday’s “Jeopardy!” skit featured the usual elements – Connery bungling a category’s name to the host’s dismay, witty exchanges with clueless celebrities. Alec Baldwin played Tony Bennett, singing into his buzzer and compiling a score “so low, it can’t be represented by a real number.”

Kate McKinnon appeared as Justin Bieber.

“It’s like, there hasn’t been a lot up here, right (gesturing to his head), but there’s so much in here (hands over his heart) … I just wanna get it out girl,” McKinnon’s Bieber said.

“You think that I, an adult man, am a girl?” responded Ferrell as Alex Trebek.

“Yeah? Um, no … I don’t know,” “Bieber” responded, slipping his hoodie over his head.

West performed his hit song “Jesus Walks” while lying on his back, staring upside-down at the audience. After singing a section of “Only One,” he was joined by a wig-wearing Sia and Vic Mensa for “Wolves,” with the performers on all fours.

Bill Murray, one of the show’s early cast members, introduced a segment honoring show contributors who passed away, including standouts such as Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

Sarah Palin, a longtime target and participant in the show’s humor, joked about her political ambitions as Jerry Seinfeld fielded celebrity questions.

“Jerry, how much do you think Lorne Michaels would pay me if I were to run in 2016?” Palin asked, referring to the show’s creator.

“Run for president? Sarah, I don’t think there’s a number too big,” Seinfeld said.

“Hypothetically then, what if I were to choose Donald Trump as a running mate?”

“Sarah, you’re teasing us, that’s not nice.”

Steve Martin delivered the show’s opening monologue, with help from celebrity friends Tom Hanks, Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy, Chris Rock, Peyton Manning, Miley Cyrus, Billy Crystal, Simon and McCartney.

“Tonight is like an enormous high school reunion – a high school that is almost all white. And, you know, earlier tonight, when I was walking the red carpet I have at home, I was thinking, ‘How do you possibly, in just three-and-a-half hours, honor the hundreds of people who have passed through the portals of SNL?’ Here’s how – we leave them out,” he said.

And then there was The Kiss, which occurred during the “The Californians,” a soap opera skit about travel-conscious socialites. Cooper appeared as “Craig” the pool boy, clad in jean shorts, a tank top and platinum blond hair. White played “Aunt Llana,” who survived a hot air balloon accident.

As the pair kissed, the other performers, including Taylor Swift and Kerry Washington, huddled around a nearby mirror, watching on in amusement, gawking at how far the performers would take their act. The moment reflected the Not Ready for Prime-Time Players’ first 40 years – occasional shock, deep laughs, something to talk about, and lots of heart.