What Did I Miss? SNL 50, a Whale Swallowing a Kayaker, and the Slam Dunk Contest’s Revival

SNL 50: A Nostalgic Night of Laughs

Fifty years. That’s how long Saturday Night Live has been setting the bar for comedy, and this week’s SNL 50th Anniversary Special pulled out all the stops. The star-studded event brought back iconic cast members, legendary sketches, and some unforgettable moments.

Highlights:

• Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Adam Sandler all returned, proving why they’re still comedic royalty.
• The revival of Wayne’s World, Stefon, and The Californians brought back some classic laughs.
• Weekend Update’s greatest hits reminded us why it’s the best fake news segment in history.
• And of course, no SNL celebration would be complete without a few surprise guest appearances (yes, that was Bill Murray).

While the special leaned heavily on nostalgia, it also highlighted SNL’s impact on pop culture over the decades. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to deny—SNL is a comedy institution.

A Whale Swallows a Kayaker—And Spits Them Back Out

File this under: Things you never want to experience. A kayaker in California had a Jonah and the Whale moment when a humpback literally engulfed them whole before realizing, “Nah, not food,” and spitting them back out.

The Breakdown:

• The kayaker, paddling near Avila Beach, got caught in a feeding frenzy where whales were hunting schools of fish.
• One massive humpback mistook the kayak for a snack, momentarily swallowing the paddler before quickly releasing them.
• The entire terrifying ordeal was caught on camera—and let’s just say, it’s straight out of a Planet Earth episode.
• Thankfully, the kayaker survived with only a bruised ego (and probably a new fear of deep water). Experts say it’s rare, but it can happen when whales are lunge-feeding near the surface. Moral of the story? Maybe don’t kayak near feeding whales.

NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Is It Finally Back?

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has been through some rough years. But this time? It actually delivered. The 2025 edition had insane athleticism, creativity, and a buzzer-beater-style showdown that made fans believe in the contest again.

Standout Moments:

• Mac McClung defended his crown with gravity-defying dunks, proving last year wasn’t a fluke. He is now the first player to win the contest 3 years in a row.
• Jaylen Brown entered the contest, making history as the first active All-Star to compete in years.
• A between-the-legs, off-the-backboard, double-pump dunk? Yeah, that happened.
• The energy in the building was electric, and for once, fans weren’t just watching out of obligation.
• Could this be the revival of the dunk contest? If 2025 is any indication, the hype is officially back.

That’s a Wrap!

From SNL bringing the laughs, to a real-life Moby Dick moment, to an NBA contest actually worth watching again—this week delivered. What was your favorite moment? Let us know in the comments!

And as always, if you missed it, we’ve got you covered. See you next week for another round of What Did I Miss?