Will Forte's Surprise Elmo Appearance At SNL 50: The Times Square Showdown That Stole The Night

The "SNL 50 Elmo" moment was arguably the most bizarre and unexpectedly hilarious highlight of the massive 50th Anniversary Special, which aired on February 16, 2025. While the star-studded event was packed with legendary alumni and A-list celebrities, the biggest surprise didn't come from a returning host or a classic character, but from a fuzzy red costume in the audience.

This deep dive, updated for December 15, 2025, reveals the full story behind the mysterious Elmo, confirming the beloved former cast member who donned the iconic red suit, the bizarre sketch context, and why the moment instantly went viral, captivating the curiosity of millions of viewers who missed the subtle joke.

Who Was the Man Inside the Elmo Costume? A Will Forte Biography

The man behind the fuzzy red suit that caused a stir during the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special was none other than former cast member Will Forte. Known for his commitment to absurd characters and bizarre sketches, Forte’s surprise appearance as a Times Square Elmo was a perfectly fitting tribute to his unique brand of comedy.

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• Full Name: Orville Willis Forte IV
• Born: June 17, 1970
• Place of Birth: Alameda County, California
• SNL Tenure: Cast Member and Writer (2002–2010)
• Signature Characters: MacGruber, The Falconer, Greg Stink, Tim Calhoun
• Post-SNL Career: Star and creator of the critically acclaimed series The Last Man on Earth, and the film adaptations of MacGruber.

Forte’s eight seasons on SNL established him as a master of cringe-comedy and unexpected emotional depth, often playing characters who were deeply committed to their strange, often self-destructive, premises. His return in the Elmo costume for the anniversary special was a subtle nod to the chaotic, often surreal energy of New York City and his own history of pushing the boundaries of sketch comedy.

The Viral Times Square Showdown: Elmo vs. The Pimps

The "SNL 50 Elmo" scene was not a standalone sketch but a brief, brilliant interlude during a larger musical tribute to New York City. The segment aimed to capture the essence of the city, including the bizarre and often unsettling characters that inhabit Times Square.

The Context of the Bit

As the musical number progressed, the camera panned through the star-studded audience, catching various alumni and celebrities singing along. The spotlight briefly landed on a small, bizarre confrontation.

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Standing next to fellow alumnus Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte was seen wearing a cheaply made, oversized Elmo costume—the kind of unofficial, often menacing character costume found soliciting photos in Times Square. Sudeikis, known for his own Times Square-themed sketches, was dressed as a pimp, a character he occasionally played during his tenure.

The joke was a quick, meta-commentary on the current state of Times Square, with Forte’s Elmo and Sudeikis’ pimp character engaging in a silent, comical duel over who truly represents the soul of the iconic New York landmark.

The Priceless Celebrity Reactions

What truly solidified the moment's viral status were the reaction shots. Seated between the dueling duo were two unlikely audience members: actor Kevin Costner and actress Jenna Ortega.

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Costner, a Hollywood legend, and Ortega, a Gen Z icon, were captured on camera looking utterly confused, bewildered, and slightly horrified by the sight of a pimp and Elmo arguing silently in the middle of a major television special.

These reaction shots—especially Costner’s seemingly genuine confusion—were immediately clipped and shared across social media platforms, turning a niche, inside-joke moment between two former cast members into a universally relatable piece of comedy gold. The sight of two stone-faced celebrities watching the absurd battle became the defining meme of the night.

Elmo's History on Saturday Night Live: More Than Just a Costume

While Will Forte's appearance as "Times Square Elmo" was a surprise, the Sesame Street character has a surprisingly deep and memorable history with Saturday Night Live. This topical authority is crucial to understanding why the costume was chosen for the 50th-anniversary special.

The Viral Weekend Update Feud with Rocco

One of the most recent and popular Elmo-related segments on SNL involved the viral social media feud between Elmo and his friend Zoe’s pet rock, Rocco.

In a hilarious "Weekend Update" segment, Elmo (played by current cast member Chloe Fineman) appeared to confront anchor Michael Che about the ongoing absurdity of Rocco being treated like a sentient being. The sketch perfectly parodied the children’s show's innocent frustration, complete with Elmo's signature high-pitched voice and dramatic outbursts over the rock's perceived privileges.

This sketch, which aired in January, cemented Elmo’s status as a contemporary source of parody for the show, making the character a highly relevant entity for a 50th-anniversary celebration.

The Katy Perry Controversy Parody

Another notable Elmo reference came during Season 36, when SNL parodied a controversy involving a segment on Sesame Street featuring musical guest Katy Perry. The segment, where Perry sang a modified version of "Hot N Cold" with Elmo, was deemed too revealing for a children's show and was ultimately edited out.

SNL capitalized on the minor scandal by having Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen discuss the controversy in a "Bronx Beat" sketch, showcasing the show's long-standing tradition of mocking pop culture moments involving even the most wholesome figures.

Why the "SNL 50 Elmo" Moment Worked So Well

The genius of the Will Forte Elmo appearance was its layered humor, which delivered a payoff for multiple types of viewers:

1. For the Casual Viewer: The sight of a goofy Elmo costume and a pimp in the audience, flanked by two confused celebrities like Kevin Costner and Jenna Ortega, was funny on its face. It was pure, absurdist visual comedy.
2. For the SNL Fan: It was a deep-cut reunion and an inside joke. Seeing Forte and Sudeikis, two close friends and frequent collaborators during their time on the show, reviving their bizarre sensibilities was a perfect tribute to the alumni era.
3. For the New Yorker: The joke perfectly encapsulated the chaotic, high-low energy of Times Square, where costumed characters and other strange sights are a daily reality. The Elmo costume itself is a symbol of the area's bizarre tourist trap culture.

The "SNL 50 Elmo" moment, featuring Will Forte, proved that even after five decades, Saturday Night Live can still deliver a viral, unforgettable moment that is both deeply personal to its history and universally hilarious. It was a testament to the enduring power of absurd comedy and the alumni who continue to define it.