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What to know about Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special

What to know about Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special
Published 4 weeks ago on Feb 15, 2025

What to Know About the Massive 'Saturday Night Live' 50th Anniversary Special.

NBC’s iconic variety show, Saturday Night Live (SNL), is celebrating its monumental 50th anniversary with a star-studded, nostalgic special that will air live on Sunday night. SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration promises an unforgettable three-hour event filled with beloved alums, surprise appearances, and highlights from the show’s five-decade legacy.

How to Watch the SNL50 Anniversary Special

The highly anticipated special will air live on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Red carpet coverage will kick off at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, where SNL alumni Leslie Jones, Sunday TODAY host Willie Geist, and comedian Matt Rogers will interview stars as they prepare for the event. The “SNL50: The Red Carpet” livestream will also be available on SNL’s social platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, with Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg serving as correspondent.

Which SNL Alums Are Returning for the 50th Anniversary?

The milestone special will feature a mix of current cast members and legendary SNL alums. Among the returning stars are Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman, the four surviving original cast members. Fans can also expect appearances from comedy heavyweights such as Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, and Will Forte.

In addition to these fan favorites, current cast members including Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernández, and Bowen Yang will also be part of the celebration.

Celebrity Guests to Join the Celebration

As if the star-studded alumni weren’t enough, SNL50 will feature appearances by some of Hollywood's biggest names. Confirmed celebrities include Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Woody Harrelson.

What to Expect From the Special

“SNL50” promises a spectacular celebration of the show’s cultural influence, showcasing iconic sketches, behind-the-scenes footage, and memorable moments from the past 50 years. The last major SNL anniversary special in 2015 marked the show’s 40th anniversary and featured surprise appearances, including a famous moment in “The Californians” sketch where Bradley Cooper and Betty White shared a passionate kiss.

This year’s special is being billed as “one night 50 years in the making,” and viewers can expect some unexpected surprises and nostalgic tributes to the show’s most significant moments.

Anniversary Programming Around the Special

The SNL50 celebration kicks off with a weekend of anniversary programming. On Friday, Peacock will stream SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, a live event at Radio City Music Hall, featuring performances by top artists such as Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, and more. The concert is executive produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels and music producer Mark Ronson.

On Saturday, NBC will air the very first episode of SNL, originally titled “NBC’s Saturday Night,” which first aired on October 11, 1975. Additionally, Peacock offers a selection of documentaries, including Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music and SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, providing an in-depth look at the show’s history, musical impact, and its enduring legacy.

Don't Miss the Historic 50th Anniversary Celebration of SNL

With a blend of classic moments, star appearances, and live performances, SNL50 is poised to be a historic night of entertainment. Tune in on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET to celebrate the legacy of one of television’s most influential programs.

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