Saturday Night Live has done its darndest to keep up with the times, consistently referencing and riffing on pop culture figures like President Trump and Stranger Things, but on Saturday, the show got nostalgic for old host and musical guest Paul Simon, who hosted during the show’s first season. Some might say a bit too nostalgic, considering a portion of SNL’s audience evidently learned who Paul Simon is for the first time last night.
https://twitter.com/Gr8Gmer14/status/1051334528298434561
“Who is Paul Simon?” -Every Millennial right now #SNL pic.twitter.com/cWUFfzRnpu
— Writerlike🌎 (@writerlike1) October 14, 2018
Paul Simon (perhaps better known as the “Simon” in “Simon & Garfunkel”) was on SNL to celebrate his 77th birthday. Last night marked his ninth musical guest appearance and 15th appearance overall. Former head writer and current late-night hose Seth Meyers hosted the show.
Simon joined last night’s SNL to perform a string- and woodwind-based instrumental version of “Can’t Run But” from his new album In the Blue Light. “Can’t Run But” was originally from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8cd1h6UWj8
Turns out an SNL musical performance that wasn’t a rock band, a pop star, or Arcade Fire doing whatever it is they do confused and/or excited some folks.
Wtf Paul Simon what is this song ur performing on snl????? #snl #PaulSimon
— Catarina Martins (@CatarinaSofiaSM) October 14, 2018
Some people were upset that Paul Simon wasn’t more popular with the modern SNL crowd.
I am seeing people saying this is the first time they've ever heard of Paul Simon and GET OUT OF HERE WITH THAT SHIT.
— Jessica Ellis (@baddestmamajama) October 14, 2018
I’m getting a kick out of all the people who don’t realize Paul Simon did a new, topical arrangement of “Can’t Run But” from “The Rhythm of the Saints.” Twitter: lots of opinions, not much historic knowledge. #snl https://t.co/TnJiUczOnt
— Jason Cochran (@JasCochran) October 14, 2018
Does today’s SNL audience know who Paul Simon is?
— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) October 14, 2018
Some millennials also took the opportunity to put baby boomers in their place.
https://twitter.com/MehGruber/status/1051330693236740096
Have you met any millennials? We were born in the 1980s through the mid '90s. "Graceland" was released in 1986.
— @nfq@mindly.social (@NFQblog) October 14, 2018
Of course, it wouldn’t be Twitter without a couple shots at Kanye’s epically awkward praise for President Trump while wearing a MAGA hat, among other antics.
https://twitter.com/TonyMo88/status/1051326622408822785
Everyone on Twitter who is mentally unstable watching Paul Simon sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” #SNL pic.twitter.com/2CKDHP90RH
— Jesse D Lifson (@DoYouEvenLif) October 14, 2018