The legendary sketch show "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) is gearing up for an unforgettable 50th anniversary celebration. The event promises a blend of nostalgia and new insights with a four-part docuseries, a live concert, and a star-studded special. The festivities kick off with "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night," a docuseries that delves deep into the show's rich history, featuring rare footage and interviews with over 60 contributors, including cast members, writers, and executives.
The docuseries takes viewers on a journey through one of SNL's most unusual seasons—Season 11. This season marked the return of show creator Lorne Michaels and saw an ambitious yet flawed casting strategy, which included 17-year-old Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey Jr., Randy Quaid, and Damon Wayans, among others. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of this pivotal period in the show's history.
The three-hour broadcast, "SNL50: The Anniversary Special," will air live on Sunday, February 16, from 8-11 p.m. ET/5-8 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the special will feature performances from past SNL musical guests and interviews with cast members, writers, producers, and more. Executive producers Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson have confirmed appearances from former hosts such as Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Woody Harrelson.
In addition to these star-studded appearances, SNL alums Ana Gasteyer, Andy Samberg, Maya Rudolph, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, and Paul Shaffer will also grace the stage. The special promises more surprise guests who have been part of SNL's storied history.
The docuseries features an impressive roster of interviews with iconic figures such as Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, Stephen Colbert, Pete Davidson, Tina Fey, Al Franken, Heidi Gardner, Bill Hader, Darrell Hammond, Tom Hanks, Chris Kattan, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, John Mulaney, Cheri Oteri, Joe Piscopo, Amy Poehler, Bob Odenkirk, Jay Pharaoh, Molly Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Robert Smigel, David Spade, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang. These interviews provide a comprehensive look at the impact SNL has had on comedy and popular culture over the years.
"SNL50: The Homecoming Concert" will stream live on Friday, February 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Peacock. This three-hour concert is set to bring together musical guests from SNL's past in an electrifying celebration of the show's musical legacy.
Episode 2 of the docuseries offers a unique glimpse into the writers' room at SNL. Viewers get to see firsthand how sketches are pitched and developed into the hilarious segments that have made the show a cultural phenomenon. This behind-the-scenes look provides a deeper understanding of the creative process that fuels SNL's humor.
Adding to the excitement is the feature film "Saturday Night," directed by Jason Reitman. Debuting at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, this biopic offers a heightened account of the 90 minutes leading up to SNL's first live broadcast. It depicts the show's original Not Ready for Primetime Players—Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner—and other key figures involved in SNL's early days.
The premiere of SNL was hosted by comedy legend George Carlin with musical guests Billy Preston and Janice Ian. This iconic episode set the stage for what would become a staple in late-night television and a launchpad for countless careers in comedy.
Reflecting on her readiness to join in the festivities, Drew Barrymore humorously remarked:
"If anybody needs me, you can put me in, coach! I don't know what will happen, but I'll be there." – Drew Barrymore
