It’s debatable whether or not Saturday Night Live is the greatest TV show of all-time, although it’s certainly in that conversation. However, when you look at the totality of pop culture over the past 50 years, SNL is unquestionably the most influential.
Movie stars like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell all got their start on the show. Classic half-hour comedies like 30 Rock with Tina Fey, Parks and Recreation with Amy Poehler, and Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus had former SNL performers at their center. Talk shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Seth Myers all have their roots in the show. Even many of the most popular bands and artists of the past half century have received a massive boost in their exposure from their performances on Saturday Night Live. Simply put, there is no corner of the cultural zeitgeist where SNL hasn’t left its fingerprints.
With the show turning 50 this year, the comic institution will attempt to encapsulate its legacy in a three-hour special airing Sunday, Feb. 16. Here’s everything you need to know about SNL50: The Anniversary Special, which airs live coast-to-coast on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on NBC.
Who are the guests on SNL50: The Anniversary Special?
The first batch of guests announced for SNL50: The Anniversary Special include the following:
Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson.
This list may not be complete, as NBC has promised even more names at a later date. And the weekly show is always good for a surprise or two, so don’t be shocked if other stars turn out without advance warning.
Which former SNL cast members will be appearing?
As we alluded to above, the distinction between former SNL cast member and movie or TV star has always been blurred, but here’s the list of those scheduled to appear at SNL50, according to the Associated Press:
Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fet, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell and Will Forte.
Additionally, four of the surviving members of the original 1975 “Not Ready For Primetime” players will be there: Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman. Curiously, their co-star Dan Aykroyd is not included, although it appears that there’s no hard feelings.
And NBC News points out that the current cast will also be part the celebration, so you can also expect to see Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Michael Longfellow, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Devon Walker and Bowen Yang.
Who are the musical artists appearing on SNL50: The Anniversary Special?
Producers of the show have not yet announced whether or not there will be musical performances at the special. However, Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and Sabrina Carpenter are all scheduled to appear.
Will there be a red carpet?
Yes! NBC will have live red carpet coverage beginning at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT. According to NBC, former SNL cast member Leslie Jones, Sunday Today host Willie Geist, and Bowan Yang’s podcast partner Matt Rodgers will interview stars as they make their way inside 30 Rock for the event.
