At the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, which aired on February 16, 2025, Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer reprised their legendary roles as Marty and Bobbi-Mohan-Culp. The duo performed a signature operatic medley of contemporary hits, including "Vampire" and "Not Like Us," maintaining their classic high school music teacher personae to widespread critical acclaim.
The Return of the Culps: A Highlight of SNL 50
The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live was not merely a retrospective; it was a live demonstration of the comedic chemistry that defined various eras of the show. Among the most anticipated reunions was that of Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer. Their performance as the Culps—Marty and Bobbi-Mohan-Culp—served as a bridge between the late-1990s "Golden Era" and the modern sensibilities of 2026.
The Culps first appeared in 1996 and quickly became a staple of the series. The characters are defined by their earnestness, their questionable vocal "elevations" of pop music, and their unwavering belief that they are bringing high culture to a low-brow world. For the SNL 50 special, the writers utilized the characters to anchor a segment dedicated to the show's musical comedy history.
The performance began with the familiar sight of Marty (Ferrell) at his portable Yamaha keyboard and Bobbi-Mohan-Culp (Gasteyer) standing tall in a matching, patterned vest. Their segment was strategically placed in the second hour of the three-hour broadcast, following a tribute to the show’s legendary political impressions. The juxtaposition of their "clean" suburban energy against the high-octane environment of a star-studded anniversary provided exactly the kind of tonal shift that made their original run so successful.
Deconstructing the Musical Medley
One of the most technically impressive aspects of the Ferrell-Gasteyer partnership is the vocal arrangement. While the performances are designed to sound "bad" or "awkward," they actually require significant vocal control and rhythmic precision—particularly from Gasteyer, a trained Broadway professional.
For the SNL 50 performance, the duo tackled a medley of songs that had dominated the charts in the years leading up to the 2025 special. The setlist included:
- "Vampire" (Olivia Rodrigo): Marty and Bobbi transformed this angst-ridden pop ballad into a staccato, operatic duet.
- "Not Like Us" (Kendrick Lamar): Perhaps the boldest choice of the night, the duo performed a "polite," sanitized version of the 2024 diss track, complete with Marty’s rhythmic "keyboard-drum" fills.
- "Flowers" (Miley Cyrus): A soaring finale that featured the pair’s signature high-pitched harmonies.
The comedy in a Culp sketch is derived from the recontextualization of lyrics. By stripping away the production value of modern pop and replacing it with a Casio-keyboard beat and a vibrato-heavy delivery, Ferrell and Gasteyer highlight the absurdity of modern songwriting through the lens of mid-Western, middle-aged sincerity.
Historical Context: Ferrell and Gasteyer (1996–2002)
To understand the weight of their SNL 50 appearance, one must look at their original tenure. Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer were cast members during a pivotal transition for the show. Following the departure of stars like Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, the show pivoted toward more character-driven, "ensemble" comedy.
Ferrell and Gasteyer were the bedrock of this era. While Ferrell was known for his "exploding" energy (as seen in his George W. Bush impressions or "Celebrity Jeopardy"), Gasteyer was the consummate straight-woman and vocal powerhouse. Together, they created a niche for "hyper-normal" characters who were deeply weird under the surface.
Beyond the Culps, they shared the screen in numerous sketches, including the "Lawrence Welk" segments and various "Middle-Class Family" tropes. Their SNL 50 performance was a celebration of this specific dynamic: Ferrell’s physical commitment to the bit and Gasteyer’s ability to ground the absurdity in a terrifyingly real performance of a "theatre person."
Production Details and Stage Design
The SNL 50 production team, led by longtime designer Keith Raywood, recreated the specific aesthetic of a high school gymnasium or community center for the Culp segment. The lighting was intentionally "flat" to mimic the fluorescent atmosphere of a teachers' lounge, contrasting with the high-gloss LED screens used for other parts of the special.
Wardrobe and Makeup: Ana Gasteyer’s Bobbi-Mohan-Culp was outfitted in a 2025 version of her signature look: a quilted vest featuring subtle musical notes and a turtleneck that sat just a bit too high. Will Ferrell’s Marty wore his classic ill-fitting corduroy slacks and a short-sleeved button-down. According to post-show interviews in 2025, the wardrobe department actually tracked down the original patterns used in the late 90s to ensure the silhouettes were identical.
Technical Execution: The audio mix for this segment was handled with care to ensure that the "tinny" sound of the keyboard did not get lost in the cavernous Studio 8H. Ferrell actually plays the keyboard live, which adds an element of "danger" to the comedic timing, as the tempo must match Gasteyer’s vocal trills exactly.
Comparison: The Culps Through the Decades
The evolution of the Culps mirrors the evolution of the music industry. By comparing their original appearances to the SNL 50 performance, we can see how the characters have adapted to a changing cultural landscape.
| Feature | 1990s Original Run | 2025 (SNL 50) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Musical Genre | 90s R&B and Alternative Rock | 2020s Pop and Viral Rap |
| Key Instrument | Early Casio/Yamaha Portables | Modernized "Vintage" Yamaha Keyboard |
| Bobbi's Vocal Style | Classical Soprano Parody | Contemporary "Belting" Parody |
| Marty's Energy | Quietly Intense | Enthusiastically Elder-Statesman |
| Cultural Target | Local "Multicultural Fairs" | SNL 50 Global Anniversary Special |
| Modern Reference | Spice Girls, Destiny's Child | Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift |
The Impact of the SNL 50 Anniversary
The SNL 50 special was a massive undertaking for NBC, serving as a reminder of the show’s endurance. The inclusion of Ferrell and Gasteyer was essential for the "Gen X" and "Millennial" demographics who grew up during their tenure. Unlike some sketches that can feel dated when revived, the Culps work in any era because the "out-of-touch teacher" is a universal archetype.
The 2025 performance also highlighted the professional longevity of both actors. Will Ferrell has become one of the biggest movie stars in the world, yet his willingness to return to Studio 8H and squeeze into a tight vest for a three-minute sketch speaks to the loyalty the show commands. Ana Gasteyer, similarly, has built a formidable career in television (American Auto) and on Broadway (Wicked), and her return reminded audiences of her status as one of the most versatile female performers in the show’s history.
For more information on the history of the show, the official Saturday Night Live website provides a comprehensive archive of sketches and cast biographies.
Critical and Audience Reception
Following the broadcast, social media and trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter cited the Ferrell-Gasteyer reunion as a top-three moment of the night. Critics noted that while many "anniversary" sketches rely on nostalgia, the Culps' rendition of "Not Like Us" felt genuinely fresh and creatively relevant.
The performance also trended on video platforms for weeks following the special. In an era of short-form content, the "medley" format of the Culps is perfectly suited for viral clips. The segment reportedly garnered over 15 million views on the SNL YouTube channel within the first 48 hours of release.
FAQ: Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer at SNL 50
What was the specific sketch Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer performed?
They performed as Marty and Bobbi-Mohan-Culp, their recurring characters who are high school music teachers. In the SNL 50 special, they were introduced as part of a tribute to the "musical maestros" of the show's history.
Which songs did they cover during the SNL 50 special?
Their medley included unique, operatic versions of "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, and a particularly memorable, rhythmically awkward version of "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar.
When did the SNL 50th Anniversary Special air?
The special aired on February 16, 2025, on NBC. It featured five decades of cast members, musical guests, and writers returning to Studio 8H in New York City.
Was this the first time they had reunited since leaving the show?
No, Ferrell and Gasteyer have appeared together in several contexts over the years, including Ferrell’s own hosting stints and other SNL anniversary specials (like the 40th). However, the SNL 50 performance was their first full-length "Culp" sketch in nearly a decade.
Where can I watch the Ferrell and Gasteyer SNL 50 performance?
As of 2026, the full performance is available on the Peacock streaming service and on the official SNL YouTube channel. High-definition clips of the "Vampire" segment are also frequently featured in NBC’s "Best of Will Ferrell" collections.
Did any other cast members join them in the sketch?
While the Culps were the focus, the sketch featured a brief cameo by Maya Rudolph, who appeared as a disgruntled parent in the audience, and Kenan Thompson, who introduced them as the "longest-running faculty members of our hearts."
Final Recommendation: Revisit the Classics
If you enjoyed the SNL 50 performance, the best way to appreciate the nuances of Ferrell and Gasteyer’s chemistry is to revisit their original run from 1996 to 2002. Pay close attention to their vocal synchronization and the "dead-eye" stare Ferrell maintains throughout his keyboard solos. For those interested in the technical side of comedy, analyzing how they adapt current pop trends into their specific character voices offers a masterclass in satire. You can find comprehensive "Best of" collections for both performers on major streaming platforms.
