NBC brought together some 60 or so big-name alums of iconic sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” for its 40th anniversary special, as well as big-name past hosts, guest stars and celebrity fans.

It served as an exhaustive look at how the show has helped define the last four decades of American pop culture, from music to politics.

Here are the best moments from the three-and-a-half hour event…

1.) Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake kick off the night
The special opened with a retrospective song and dance number reuniting Jimmy Fallon — its kid wonder of the late-’90s/Early-2000s, and current host of “The Tonight Show” — and Justin Timberlake — a member of the show’s Five-Timers Club, several of which as both host and musical guest — in which they did a quick series of “SNL” character impersonations.

Rachel Dratch and Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher also dropped in on the number.

See photos: ‘SNL’s’ Greatest Hosts: Beloved Tina Fey, Game-Changing Justin Timberlake, Classic Richard Pryor

2.) Steve Martin is our master of tomfoolery
Steve Martin was given the incredible job of the “SNL 40” monologue. Surprisingly, he was never an actual “SNL” cast member, although he has guest-starred about 30 times since the 1970s, having hosted 15 times. Martin compared the special to a high school reunion for a school “that is almost all white.” He also paid tribute to the cast members who are no longer with us — John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Jon Lovitz, whose death came as a surprise to the show’s ’80s alum as he sat in the front row.

American treasure Tom Hanks interrupted the monologue after taking offense to Martin’s proclamation that comedians have been the backbone of the show. Then Alec Baldwin wondered why Martin was given the job of the opening monologue, despite the fact that he has hosted the most times of anyone. Melissa McCarthy dropped in to bring attention to “hosts who aren’t men over 80.” And Chris Rock added, “What about hosts who were part of the cast?” And then, Peyton Manning for sports figures? Miley Cyrus for singers? Billy Crystal for those who have excelled on the Broadway stage? And Paul McCartney and Paul Simon for men named “Paul”?

OK, we get it NBC, “SNL” has not only featured, but launched many big stars.

See photos: ‘SNL’s’ 40 Most Hilarious Sketches

3.) Before they were players
The show then offered an amazing look at its cast members (and those who probably should’ve been cast) in a reel of “SNL” audition tapes. It was an impressive list: Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Amy Poehler, Dana Carvey, Cheri Oteri, Bill Hader, Dana Carvey, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, Phil Hartmann, among many others — they had to start somewhere, right? It’s seriously amazing to see these huge stars in the beginning, hungry and hilarious.

4.) Betty White and Bradley Cooper make out
As a Californian who went to school in New York City, I have a good sense of what New Yorkers think of those of us from California. All that was captured in the special’s soap opera spoof “The Californians.” In addition to several alums, Bradley Cooper, Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift and Betty White joined in on the valley-talking, directions-spouting, bleached blonde of it all. Spoiler alert: Cooper’s pool boy is always the guilty one.

5.) A “Weekend Update” power play
Wow. We’re then served up a power “Weekend Update” with former anchors Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin, the last of whom got a jab in at Fox News. Within the segment was was a star-studded revolving chair of stars doing their favorite Weekend Update guests: Emma Stone as Roseanne Roseannadanna, and an epic tribute to Stefon by Edward Norton with tips from Hader and a tiff with his “husband,” Seth Meyers. We were also treated to Melissa McCarthy’s take on Chris Farley’s motivational speaker Matt Foley — perfection.

Also Read: ‘SNL’s’ Kenan Thompson Spoofs Al Sharpton to His Face

6.) “SNL’s” musical stylings
Martin Short and Maya Rudolph’s Beyonce played the MCs of the sketch show’s numerous musical acts. Everyone from Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig’s “Garth and Kat” to Nick the Lounge Singer’s (Bill Murray) “Jaws” theme song, Steve Martin’s King Tut, and Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s Blues Brothers.

7.) Chris Rock pays tribute to Eddie Murphy
Rock explained how seeing Murphy on “SNL” showed him that comedy wasn’t just something that would net you a trip to the principal’s office, it could also be a career. He recounted some of Murphy’s greatest moments, including a night when the show was running short and Murphy was asked to stretch for time. He did that with a simple “yo’ mama” joke.

“Eddie hosted the show while he was still a cast member,” Rock pointed out. “I’m sure the rest of the cast loved that.”

Murphy was very gracious and expressed how happy he was to be there, not only to celebrate what he had done three decades before. Marred by a little timing issue at the end, Murphy proved Rock right by improvving until the producers caught up.

Also Read: SNL Documentary ‘Live From New York!’ to Open Tribeca Film Festival

8.) Miley Cyrus honors Paul Simon, makes Fred Armisen part of the band
In a surprisingly controlled performance of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” Cyrus showed great respect to the singer who first served as “SNL’s” host and musical guest. Cyrus and many other musicians would follow with double duty on the show. Also, Armisen got into the action on the tambourine.

9.) Jerry Seinfeld rules the Audience Q&A
Aside from making John Goodman cry, zinging Brian Williams, confusing James Franco, dashing Sarah Palin’s future election plans and defending “SNL’s” and “Seinfeld’s” records in hiring black women, we got to see him and Larry David pat themselves on the back for their hit comedy — before TV went to pot.

10.) WTF was that Kanye West performance?
The rapper started with a performance of “Jesus Walks” while lying on the floor. He then got up to do a sliver of “Only One.” And finally, he got on all fours to perform “Wolves” with rapper Vic Mensa and, yes, Sia under that crazy white wig. Um, kay.

See photos: ‘SNL’s’ 40 Most Iconic Characters: From the Blues Brothers to Stefon

11.) Lorne likes a break
Sometimes, they’re just too funny and they’re only human. Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg united to create a new short film celebrating those times when the cast members just couldn’t help but laugh — called the “break.” You know the giggles are contagious — no matter how unfunny a sketch is. And, by the way, creator Lorne Michaels loves a good break.

12.) Jon Lovitz is still dead
There were a lot of reasons to love “SNL’s” tribute to those who have died over its four decades. First, it recognized production crew, the unsung legions who get very little attention for what they do to get entertainment to us. What was touching were the reactions from the audience as they saw the late crew members who were family to them while they were on the show. And, of course, it was great to see them tie back into Steve Martin’s monologue by including Jon Lovitz in the memoriam.

13.) “Wayne’s World” is still schwing-ing
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey reprised the roles that propelled them to their own film franchise, never having forgotten their Aurora, Illinois roots. The most awesome part was how they continued to taunt Kanye West in the audience. Who couldn’t get behind irritating Kanye?

'SNL's' 40 Most Hilarious Sketches (Photos)

CHIPPENDALES
Chris Farley's memorable moments on "SNL" are endless, but his abs-meet-flab male revue with Patrick Swayze is immortal.
THE BEYGENCY
Beyonce's following, the "Beyhive," is not one to be messed with. Take the risk and face disappearance.
OPERA MAN
Adam Sandler was always entertaining as this Pavarotti parody, but his Eddie Vedder impression, following Pearl Jam's rise to the top of the Billboard chart, hit a whole new octave.
LAZY SUNDAY
Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell could have given the Beastie Boys a run for their money with this rap that hits hard on cupcakes and Matthew Perry.
MATT FOLEY, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
"SNL's" gems involve more than just memorable characters -- there are also those moments when the cast can't keep it together. David Spade and Christina Applegate know that thanks to the iconic Foley.
THE CALIFORNIANS
On this send-up of an entire state, Kristen Wiig (Karina) and Bill Hader (Devin) giggle over Fred Armisen's (Stuart) mocking California accent when he catches the pair locking lips. Classic.
MR. ROBINSON'S NEIGHBORHOOD
If only Mr. Rogers had Eddie Murphy for a neighbor. The comedian sent the audience into a laughing fit after his infidelity bore him a brand new baby boy.
JUSTIN BIEBER FOR CALVIN KLEIN
A relatively new entry, Kate McKinnon's spoof of the singer's underwear campaign is bound to earn an official spot in "SNL's" hilarious history.
WAYNE'S WORLD
Rock on, Wayne and Garth. And so they did, with Aerosmith. The band kept their composure, but Garth's silent freak-outs were perfect.
"DELICIOUS DISH"
Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon's calm sexual innuendos about Alec Baldwin's "Schweddy Balls" on NPR never get old.
SUNSEEKER YACHTS
Ex-porn stars promoting yachts with Captain Jack Swallow (James Franco) and James Franco (Seth Rogen)? Enough said.
THE LOVE-AHS
Jimmy Fallon was notorious for breaking character, but he wasn't alone in this sketch, as Will Ferrell, Rachel Dratch and Drew Barrymore barely hold it together in a hotel hot tub.
THE FESTRUNK BROTHERS
Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd can hold their own, but are ridiculously entertaining as "two wild and crazy guys" on the hunt for ladies. Note the Jim Belushi appearance.
WHITE LIKE ME
Many considered Eddie Murphy's undercover sketch not only comedic, but a game changer touching on race issues.
WEEKEND UPDATE GUEST BENNETT BRAUER
Chris Farley's "I have a weight problem" line is a historic flub. And Kevin Nealon's reaction while trying to free his wires is even better.
DEBATE '76
This sketch was great, particularly for Gerald Ford's (Chevy Chase) fall at the end with Jimmy Carter (Dan Aykroyd) rolling on top of him.
TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES
Flight attendants David Spade and Helen Hunt made it OK to tell people "Buh-bye" and not mean it. To you both, thank you.
HAPPY FUN BALL
This commercial remains a hilarious send-up of unscrupulous manufacturers who will put anything in a product. And Phil Hartman's voiceover is the perfect touch.
MARK WAHLBERG TALKS TO ANIMALS
Andy Samberg mimicks the "Boogie Nights" actor's mannerisms and voice perfectly as he tells barnyard beasts to "say 'hi' ta ya' mutha' fuh me."
STAR WARS AUDITIONS
This is the perfect dose of comedy, especially with Kevin Spacey impersonating Christopher Walken, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.
JEOPARDY
Will Ferrell offered his take on host Alex Trebek numerous times, but his adversarial back-and-forth with Darrell Hammond's clueless, lecherous Sean Connery combined with Norm MacDonald's juvenile Burt Reynolds provided the segments' deepest belly laughs.
DICK IN A BOX
Andy Samberg. Justin Timberlake. Two dicks. Two boxes. Two dicks in boxes. And thus a legend was born.
KERRY WASHINGTON'S COLD OPEN
With a growing chorus of voices clamoring about a lack of diversity on "SNL's" cast, the show did the only thing it could (besides diversify its cast, of course): It made, uh, light of the situation. "Scandal" star Kerry Washington did double duty, single-handedly playing First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey in the space of two minutes.
TWO A-HOLES
Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig's recurring portrayal as a pair of vapid, airheaded, arrogant human canker sores would probably be even funnier if we didn't actually run into people just like this All. The. Time.
CONSUMER PROBE
Dan Aykroyd as sleazy toymaker Irwin Mainway, who peddled such decidedly unsafe children's products as "Bag O' Glass," "Mr. Skin Grafter" and "Doggy Dentist," was a dark-hearted delight. And some would say a precursor for modern business practices.
COLON BLOW
Long before colon cleanses became a trendy weight-loss technique, "Saturday Night Live" conceived of the perfect breakfast cereal to help you clear your pipes.
DEBBIE DOWNER
Afraid that your next party might suffer from too much joviality? Make sure to put Debbie Downer on your guest list; she'll keep things somber with her turd-in-the-punchbowl conversational technique.
CHURCH CHAT
Dana Carvey's pinch-faced, perpetually judgmental Church Lady was the perfect reminder for "SNL" viewers that Sunday was just around the corner. The installment featuring Justin Bieber was a highlight, if only because he might just actually be a product of Satan.
KING TUT
Steve Martin, who plays a pretty mean banjo when he's not cracking up the population, also showed off his singing and dancing skills in this entry in the canon of "SNL" musical sketches.
WILLIAM SHATNER TRASHES TREKKIES
Long before he made a joke of himself as a beloved Priceline shill, William Shatner mocked his Star Trek fame. Or at least Star Trek fans. Watching Shatner tell the nerdy assemblage at a Star Trek convention to "Get a life!" was out of this world.
BEHIND THE MUSIC (MORE COWBELL)
A shirt many sizes too small and a zealous passion for precision timekeeping made Will Ferrell a delight as Gene, the utterly essential cowbell player for Blue Oyster Cult. Is there anything that more cowbell can't cure?
THE CHRIS FARLEY SHOW
Chris Farley as a super-awkward, terminally unsure-of-himself talk-show host was a revelation, especially since Farley was typically so outgoing. His interview with Paul McCartney, during which he asked the former Beatle if rumors of his death in the '60s were a hoax, was a treat.
THE FRENCH CHEF
Dan Aykroyd delivered some bloody good laughs as culinary institution Julia Child, who gets so wrapped up in extolling the many uses of liver that she cuts her finger, resulting in a kitchen that looks like a mass-murder crime scene.
UNFROZEN CAVEMAN LAWYER
Yes, he was just a caveman, thrust into the modern world to practice defense and personal injury law. But Keyrock -- as portrayed by the late, great Phil Hartman -- provided plenty of laughs.
THE SINATRA GROUP
Hartman played Ol' Blue Eyes as the no-nonsense, old-school host of "an unrehearsed discussion of current issues in the recording industry," berating young bucks such as Billy Idol, Luther Campbell and Sinead O'Connor -- or, as Hartman/Sinatra variously refers to her, Shine-Ade, Sinbad and Cueball.
SAMURAI DELICATESSEN
John Belushi definitely made the cut as a deli employee with a particularly brutal method for slicing lunch meat.
CONEHEADS FAMILY FEUD
These oblong aliens appeared on any number of skits during the early days of "Saturday Night Live," but watching Dan Aykroyd and his space-alien crew on this game-show staple was particularly delightful.
THE BLUES BROTHERS
Not so much a comedy skit, just two very funny guys (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) with a crackerjack backup band paying homage to some classic tunes. And it was magnificent.
NICK THE LOUNGE SINGER
Another example of an "SNL" cast member flexing his musical chops -- and this time it was definitely for comic effect. Bill Murray brought a double dose of schmaltz as he belted out the hits of the day, including the "Star Wars" theme as you'd never heard it before.
WORD ASSOCIATION
Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor square off in a skit that uses a job interview to explore America's racial tensions with a candor that you won't be seeing on network TV again, late-night or otherwise.