What to know about ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’:
- The three-hour prime-time special is expected to be a star-studded and nostalgia-packed affair, with appearances by Five-Timers club members and a handful of past hosts. Expect to see alumni from the cast, including Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Tracy Morgan and Will Ferrell, as well as celebrities including Adam Driver and Kim Kardashian. Miley cyrus, Paul Mccartney and a handful of other artists will perform.
- Tonight’s event is the culmination of a weekend of anniversary programming dedicated to the beloved sketch comedy show, including “SNL50: The Homecoming concert,” which was streamed on Peacock, and a rebroadcast of the show’s first episode, which was taped on Oct. 11, 1975, and aired again Saturday.
- Red carpet coverage kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on NBc and on the official social media accounts for “SNL.” The special airs at 8 p.m. ET on NBc and Peacock. (“SNL” and NBc News are both owned by NBcUniversal.)
Questlove 'cried' after Friday's 'SNL 50: The Homecoming concert'
Speaking on the red carpet tonight, Ahmir K. Thompson of The Roots and director of "Ladies & Gentlemen: 50 Years Of SNL Music," said he's happy the celebrations are almost a wrap.
"We cried because it was over," he said on the red carpet tonight, speaking of his work performing on "SNL 50: The Homecoming concert."
One wouldn't blame the musician, better known as Questlove, frontman for the hip-hop act that is the house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." He's been working extremely hard. The mind-blowing, 7-minute montage of SNL music performances that open the Peacock documentary alone took a year to complete, he has said.
And the weekend's "SNL" 50th anniversary celebrations weren't a time for him to kick back: Thompson performed with The Roots basically as the virtual house band for "SNL 50 The Homecoming concert."
He experienced a moment, making it well worth it, he said, performing with a hero, Pearl Jam's frontman, at the Friday night event. In his younger days, Thompson said, he worked at a record store.
"I was stocking Pearl Jam posters on the wall," he said, adding his weekend highlight was "playing with Eddie Vedder."
Kim Kardashian teases her sketch tonight
Without revealing too much, Kim Kardashian hinted that she's going to appear in a sketch tonight alongside people she's "obsessed with."
"It’s a full circle moment," Kardashian told red carpet host Leslie Jones of her sketch tonight.
comedian chris Rock briefly interrupted the interview to give Kardashian a shoutout, calling her “one of the all-time great SNL hosts”
Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones have a red carpet reunion
Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, who overlapped on the "SNL" cast from 2014 to 2019, caught up on the carpet before tonight's special.
"Isn’t this crazy? can you even believe it?" McKinnon asked Jones.
"I’m surprised you’re not crying, you big old crybaby," Jones replied, adding, "She’s a big softie."
The two agreed they'd "cry together" tonight.
Amy Poehler says everyone has a lot of 'big feelings' being back
Amy Poehler is leaning into her "Inside Out" character, Joy, sharing that everyone involved with the special tonight is "having a lot of big feelings."
"We all grew up here," she told the NBc red carpet hosts, calling it a "family reunion."
Asked about tonight's special, she said, "Just like with 'SNL,' we’re really waiting until the last minute to figure it out."
"We don’t usually have a red carpet before our show," she added. "It’s not easy to get glam and then go back and get funny."
Emma Stone is carrying popcorn in her dress
Actor Emma Stone came ready to snack.
The Oscar winner, who is married to former "SNL" writer Dave Mccary, is holding popcorn while walking the carpet tonight and appears to be pocketing some for later.
In 2023, Stone became the sixth woman to join the coveted "Five-Timers club" when she hosted for a fifth time.
cecily Strong says she barely remembers the 'SNL' 40th anniversary
cecily Strong said the 40th anniversary special celebration 10 years ago was "so insane" that she "barely remembers it."
Tonight, she told NBc's red carpet hosts that she's most "excited to see everybody."
Adam Sandler says he had 'loads of fear' when he was an 'SNL' cast member
It may not seem like actor Adam Sandler would have any fear about anything related to comedy.
But during his five seasons as a cast member on "SNL," beginning in 1990, the he had plenty, he said.
"I’d always go ‘don’t choke, don’t stumble,'" he told red carpet host and fellow "SNL" alum Leslie Jones. "I would choke sometimes. ... I hated that feeling."
Tina Fey says it's 'thrilling' to be back at Studio 8H
Tina Fey echoed other "SNL" alums in describing tonight's special as a "homecoming."
"It feels like a bunch of siblings and cousins," she told Leslie Jones and Willie Geist, who are hosting the NBc red carpet stream.
Fey also reflected on her first day at "SNL," recalling the surreal moment she told security, “I’m here to see Lorne Michaels,” only to sit across from him moments later, staring at the iconic nameplate on his desk.
Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Jon Lovitz and more walk carpet
More "SNL" alums have arrived at 30 Rock ahead of tonight's special.
Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Jon Lovitz, Kate McKinnon and other celebs graced the red carpet already.
The red carpet show has begun
The red (black tonight) carpet is here and "SNL" royalty is walking the carpet and stopping for interviews.
Past and present cast members reveal what really goes on behind the scenes
Shortly before “NBc’s Saturday Night” lit up American TV sets on Oct. 11, 1975, producer Lorne Michaels and seven unknown actors and comedians appeared on “The Tomorrow Show,” a late-night talk show with Tom Snyder, to promote their new 90-minute variety series.
Now, 50 years later, the sketch comedy show has gone on to become the most Emmy-decorated television show in history, receiving countless nominations, awards and accolades. And, in 2017, those original cast members were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
In honor of “SNL’s” golden anniversary, TODAY.com sat down with past and present cast members to learn what really goes on behind the scenes of the late night show — from the anxiety to the exhilaration — what viewers at home might be surprised to find out, along with their takes on the best character breaks and sketches that didn’t go quite as planned.
‘The californians’ sketch brought back for VW commercial
Next on "The californians" ... Karina, Devin and Stuart reunite to navigate the streets of L.A. once more with their Socal accents.
Kristin Wiig, Fred Armisen and Bill Hader reprised their roles from the famous "SNL" sketch for a Volkswagen commercial that aired ahead of tonight's special.
Volkswagen is an official sponsor of SNL50.
While Wiig and Armisen are confirmed guests as guests tonight, Hader gave a "polite decline" to the invitation, according to Puck.
Jimmy Fallon shares his 1998 audition
"SNL" alum Jimmy Fallon appears to be feeling extra nostalgic as the anniversary special approaches.
The “Late Night” host, who helmed Friday's "SNL50: The Homecoming concert," reflected on his career on the show by posting his audition video to social media.
The roughly 4:30 clip, dated July 13, 1998, shows a young Fallon doing celebrity impressions of stars including Adam Sandler and Jerry Seinfeld.
"I was so nervous. I want to thank Lorne Michaels for everything (And @adamsandler)," Fallon wrote in the post.
How long has Lorne Michaels run 'SNL' ?
Lorne Michaels has presided over the “SNL” empire since the start, with the exception of a brief stretch in the 1980s.
But in recent years, he has been trailed by questions about when he might abdicate the throne. He told The Hollywood Reporter last year he has no immediate intentions to step down.
“Every year there are more and more people that I rely on for other things, but, in the end, you really need someone to say, ‘This is what we’re doing.’ So, I don’t really have an answer; I just know that this is kind of what I do and as long as I can keep doing it, I’ll keep doing it,” said Michaels, who turned 80 in November. “There’s no immediate plan.”
Studio 8H will be a packed house for 'SNL50'
Studio 8H started as the home of the NBc Symphony Orchestra in the 1930s. Now, it has served as the legendary space for “SNL” for the last 50 years.
Tonight, it will be a packed house. “SNL” production designer Keith Raywood, who has worked on the show since 1985, told the New York Post that there will be 450 people in the studio tonight, "which is essentially about 200 people more than we would normally have.”
Many of those in the audience will be friends and family of tonight's special guests. “Imagine all the people who have been on the show — those cast members and hosts," Raywood told the publication. "It’s a lot of people [there to see them]. And, those seats don’t normally exist."
Watch Jenna Bush Hager react to Amy Poehler’s ‘SNL’ impression of her
During a conversation about the upcoming 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live,” “TODAY’s” Jenna Bush Hager and "SNL" alum Amy Poehler rewatched Poehler’s impression of her in a sketch on the show.
“I’m totally sweating,” Poehler said.
cast member Kenan Thompson celebrates show's 'historic milestone'
Kenan Thompson, who has been an "SNL" cast member since 2003, posted the promotion for tonight's special on X with a special message of gratitude.
"Let’s gooooooo!!!!" he wrote in the post. "congratulations to everyone involved with helping achieve this historic milestone!!! #SNL"
The 50th season of 'SNL' debuted during election season
"SNL" returned for its 50th season in September, just in time to satirize the reshuffled fight for the White House. Alum Maya Rudolph reprised her Emmy-winning role as Vice President Kamala Harris. “SNL” cast member James Austin Johnson once again donned a red tie to play Donald Trump.
“SNL” has mined comedy gold in presidential politics since it debuted in 1975 and chevy chase caricatured President Gerald Ford as a pratfalling klutz. In the decades since, political parodies have been staples of the show, from Dana carvey as President George H.W. Bush (“Thousand points of light”) to Tina Fey as GOP vice presidential contender Sarah Palin (“I can see Russia from my house!”) during the 2008 election.
“‘SNL’ has always helped us process the absurdities of the week in politics through sketch comedy. It can be a cathartic process for people, so the show plays an important role,” Jeffrey P. Jones, a professor of entertainment and media studies at the University of Georgia who has written scholarly essays about “SNL” and politics, told NBc News in September.
The Lonely Island performs medley at 'SNL50: The Homecoming concert'
"SNL" wouldn't be the measure of global pop culture it is without its heavy reliance on music.
The show arguably reached a post-"More cowbell" peak of comedy mashup when former cast member Andy Samberg (2005-12) brought his Lonely Island comedy crew (Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) with him to make made-for-viral music videos that often aired on SNL.
On Friday night the trio reunited with the show to perform a medley of some of their most most popular songs for “SNL50: The Homecoming concert.” They were joined by former cast member chris Parnell (“Lazy Sunday”), Bad Bunny (“I Just Had Sex”) and T-Pain (“I’m on a Boat”) joining in.
It was Lady Gaga, however, who stole the show with her rendition of a song about a box, the title of which can't be mentioned here. Suffice it to say, Lady Gaga did so with composure and elegance as she played a black grand piano and urged Samberg not to sing her song, "Shallow," transitioning to that unmentionable track, instead.
‘Saturday Night Live’ feted with a concert for the ages
By the time cher sang “If I could Turn Back Time,” it seemed as if time had indeed been turned back, and every single “Saturday Night Live” musical guest of 50 years had magically found their way to Radio city Music Hall.
Of course, it was only a smattering. But “SNL50: The Homecoming concert” boasted an epic lineup. It was an evening of memorable solo performances and often fascinating, one-time-only collaborations: Bonnie Raitt and chris Martin. Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Post Malone and Nirvana.
The concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, was only one element of what has become an enormous celebration of the show’s 50 years in existence, leading up to Sunday’s “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” live from Studio 8H.
But Friday night was all about music.
'SNL' auditions came with high stakes, long odds and the sound of crickets
One of the more remarkable aspects of the first episode of the "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night" docuseries on Peacock is how embarrassed some of the show's brightest stars are watching video of their first auditions.
Multiple former "SNL" cast members were amazed at the relatively low quality of their first auditions for the show as seen on the episode, titled "Five Minutes." It was named for the time prospective cast members were given to wow executives.
Former cast member Pete Davidson (2014-22), who auditioned in 2014, set the scene in an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers."
"There's no one in there," he said. "You're on the stage, the 'SNL' stage, and [creator] Lorne [Michaels] is there, [Executive Producer Steve] Higgins and maybe one or two other people, but they're blacked out. You can't see them. So you're doing your whole act to no one. And once in a while, you'll hear like, 'Heh!'"
Molly Shannon (1995-2001) corroborated that memory with her own.
"The audience was not laughing," she said. "It was like crickets."
Tracy Morgan (1996-2003), watching video of his 1996 audition, which included an impression of a friend he called Biscuit, said: "This is crazy. This is crazy."
He continued, "I don’t know what Lorne Michaels and them saw. They saw something."
David Spade (1990-96), recalling his frame of mind during his start on the show, said he was "never thinking I’d be good enough to be on 'SNL.'"
Bobby Moynihan (2008-17) watched as he did an impression of a friend for his audition, which helped him get a job on the show starting in 2008. "Oh, no," he said ominously.
Davidson watched his audition and said, "How the [expletive] did I get this show?"
Rachel Dratch is no 'Debbie Downer' when talking about 'SNL'
"SNL" alum Rachel Dratch joined NBc’s “TODAY” show to talk about some of her most iconic characters, including Debbie Downer.
The character, known for her signature negative comments, became an instant hit with audiences in 2004. At times, even Dratch broke character to laugh, prompting audiences to laugh even more.
"Before I was ever on the show, I used to like that, too," she said, of "SNL" cast members breaking character. "As an audience member you love that, but as a cast member you try not to break. It's kind of a cheap trick, because you know the audience is going to go nuts."
Asked about her other roles on the show, Dratch admitted it's tough to remember every single character.
"It was just so fun being on the show," she said, adding that she has already been enjoying reuniting with some old friends.
Some of her former cast members, including Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, have become her lifelong friends. While they exchange a lot of jokes in real life, she said, "we're not, like, always on. We rely on each other for life's ups and downs for sure. But then you are also with the funniest people, so that helps."
Rejection by 'SNL' could be a blessing for some stars
"SNL's" star-making muscle is on display in its famed and accomplished cast: Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and chevy chase.
And that was just season one.
The future would welcome aboard Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Dana carvey, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Pete Davidson.
But fans of the show's illustrious rejects — would-be cast members who auditioned but didn't get invited to join the cast — could make an argument their team has had just as much success, maybe more. The first episode of the "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night" docuseries on Peacock lays out a star map of cast wannabes who eventually conquered Hollywood.
Jim carrey, who had to settle for another sketch comedy show, "In Living color," is featured in the episode doing his trademark physical comedy. comedian Jennifer coolidge is touted as a supreme talent who didn't make the show.
Others in the club included: Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Donald Glover, Jordan Peele and Stephen colbert.
"Why didn't you hire me," colbert, now a successful late-night talk show host, asked on the episode.
Former head of talent Marci Klein had words of consolation for any of the rejected recruits she had scouted at comedy clubs and acting workshops.
"Anyone who doesn't end up on this show ends up doing better," she said. "Don’t worry about it."
A sneak peek inside the 'SNL' special read-through
The X account for "SNL" shared a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of the read-through Thursday.
Among those spotted in the image: current “Weekend Update” co-host colin Jost and former “Weekend Update” host Seth Meyers.
What to expect from tonight's three-hour special
“SNL50” has been years in the making, with cast member Mikey Day having hinted at just how massive the celebration will be back in June 2023. In an interview on “TODAY,” Day said that executive producer Lorne Michaels was already preparing.
“Oh, my gosh, it’s going to be insane,” Day said. “I haven’t heard that much, but I know Lorne’s slowly putting it together.” Asked about potential guests, he joked: “I believe every famous person in the universe will be there. It’s wild.”
The last major “SNL” anniversary special aired in 2015, celebrating the show’s 40-year legacy with a mix of iconic sketches and several surprise appearances.
One of the most talked-about moments came in the iconic “The californians” sketch, which Bradley cooper and Betty White stole with an unexpected, passionate kiss. The sketch also featured pop superstar Taylor Swift and actor Kerry Washington.
Tina Fey and other stars walk 'SNL50' red carpet
Stars have started to arrive at the "SNL50" carpet (which is black, not red!).
Among the list of early arrivals: "SNL" original cast member Garrett Morris and fellow "SNL" alums Tina Fey and Sasheer Zamata.
The official red carpet show, which will air on NBc, doesn’t begin until 7 p.m. ET.
The making of the first episode of 'SNL' is now a Hollywood movie
"SNL" is so firmly installed in the cultural consciousness that even the behind-the-scenes production of the first episode received the Hollywood biopic treatment.
“Saturday Night,” a film from director Jason Reitman (“Juno”), chronicles the frantic lead-up to the broadcast of the Oct. 11, 1975, debut.
The film, released in September, stars Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, cory Michael Smith as chevy chase, Matt Wood as John Belushi, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris, Kim Matula as Jane curtin, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster and cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol.
Last night, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration weekend, NBc re-aired the very first episode of “SNL," which was originally titled “NBc’s Saturday Night."
Molly Shannon says she's 'home sweet home' at Studio 8H
For "SNL" alum Molly Shannon, this weekend has felt like a homecoming.
“It’s so exciting,” Shannon said of the special during an appearance on NBc’s “TODAY” on Thursday. “But I also forget I get nervous. There’s nothing like live performance. ... I forget the adrenaline. So it’s so exciting. But it feels like coming home.”
The comedian also shared a photo of herself posing in the snow in front of NBc Studios to Instagram on Wednesday, writing "Home sweet home" with a heart emoji.
We're looking forward to seeing if Shannon reprises her role as the notorious schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher or joyologist Helen Madden.
Which guests are confirmed for the 50th anniversary special?
Despite its nearly 2,800-mile distance from Hollywood, "SNL" remains a core entertainment industry machine that develops marquee-worthy talent and helps inspire studio projects ("The Blues Brothers," "Wayne's World," "Austin Powers," "A Night at the Roxbury," "MacGruber").
It's fitting, then, that the growing roster of special guests expected for the three-hour special tonight feels like an awards season VIP list that's heavy on comedians and musicians. (There is, in fact, an hour's worth of red carpet arrival coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET).
So far, the network says, the lineup of guests includes Adam Driver, Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, chevy chase, chris Rock, Dave chappelle, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Garrett Morris, Jane curtin, John Mulaney, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kim Kardashian, Kristin Wiig, Laraine Newman, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Pete Davidson, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson.
What time is the red carpet for 'SNL50'?
Like every big event, the "SNL" special will have a big red carpet that kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.
Viewers at home can tune in to NBc and Peacock to watch "SNL" alum Leslie Jones, “Sunday TODAY” host Willie Geist and comedian Matt Rogers interview some of the biggest names expected to attend tonight.
Meanwhile, Amelia Dimoldenberg, the creator and host of the viral chat show "chicken Shop Date," will serve as the correspondent for the SNL50: Red carpet Livestream, which will be available across all "SNL" social and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
How 'SNL' has become a pillar of American popular culture
Despite beginnings so humble its original cast members were known as the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” “Saturday Night Live” has become a cultural institution, a platform for new stars and trending topics.
When Lorne Michaels launched “SNL” in 1975, he desperately wanted a show that would speak to younger Americans truthfully, according to a Smithsonian Magazine look at the show’s history. He largely got what he was asking for, but “SNL” didn’t really find success until its third season, in part because its target audience had long soured on television, according to the article.
The show seemed to repackage the sounds of Woodstock, the laughs of comedy clubs and young Americans’ irreverence for politicians in a way that was fresh, especially for medium that still aired “The Lawrence Welk Show,” which featured big band music, big silver hair and the big accordions of polka.
The formula — George carlin’s visionary political humor was on display when he hosted the first episode, and the debut had two musical guests — has endured throughout the years, as new generations of talent have been plugged in to the format.
Before the dawn of the 1980s, “SNL” had showcased the almost-psychedelic standup comedy of Steve Martin and aired the new sounds of Blondie (the punk act behind one of rap’s first hits, “Rapture”), the B-52s (“Rock Lobster”) and Gary Numan (whose “cars” was an early electronic hit).
Later, the show would go all-in on hip-hop musical guests (Jay-Z, 50 cent, Queen Latifah, cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion) while continuing to launch the careers of comedians best known as club draws.
Taking chances is built in to its recipe, and in Season 50 there are still moments when “SNL” presents relative unknowns, like musician Mk.gee, and the audience seems to watch them rocket into the mainstream in real time.
The noted alumni of “SNL” and the shows and movies that give a nod to its humor and irreverent sensibility have all further cemented a legacy 50 years in the making.
How else is 'SNL' celebrating the milestone?
On Friday, Peacock aired a special, “SNL50: The Homecoming concert,” a live concert at Radio city Music Hall in New York city. The show, hosted by Fallon, included performances by Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi carlile, Brittany Howard, cher, chris Martin, Dave Grohl, David Byrne, Devo, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley cyrus, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, Snoop Dogg, St. Vincent, the B-52s, the Roots and Wyclef Jean.
On Saturday, NBc re-aired the very first episode of “SNL.” The show, which was originally titled “NBc’s Saturday Night,” taped on Oct. 11, 1975.
On Peacock, fans can also stream two documentaries that explore the show’s cultural influence. “Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music,” co-directed by Oz Rodriguez and Questlove, looks back at the show’s extensive musical history. Featuring over 900 performances, the documentary examines how “SNL” has shaped the music industry. “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” takes a broader look at the show’s five-decade run. The four-part series, executive produced by Academy and Emmy Award winner Morgan Neville, features interviews with more than 60 contributors to “SNL,” offering behind-the-scenes insights into its evolution and its enduring legacy in comedy and television.
SNL 50 Rewind: The early years of 'Saturday Night Live'
NBc News combed through the archives to bring the story of the creation of "Saturday Night Live," as told in part by the original cast.
How to watch the special
The special will air live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Sunday on NBc and stream on Peacock.
NBc News will also be providing live updates here, so follow along all night.
It's been a jam-packed weekend of celebrating 'SNL's' 50th
Tonight's special is the culmination of a weekendlong block of anniversary programming.
Besides the special, on Friday Peacock also aired "SNL50: The Homecoming concert,” a live concert hosted by Jimmy Fallon at Radio city Music Hall in New York city.
