The 50th anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) is set to air on NBC and Peacock this Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern time, live. The three-hour event will feature a star-studded cast, including Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Chevy Chase, Amy Poehler, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, and Robert De Niro.
The show is celebrating its golden anniversary this weekend, but it’s not actually airing on the actual 50th anniversary date. Instead, it’s running in February, mirroring a strategy used in 2015 for the 40th-anniversary special. The event will air live in prime time to reach a wider audience and wrap up before Tom Hanks’ beauty rest.
A range of celebrities are expected to appear on SNL50, including veteran hosts, friends of the show, and newer cast members like Ayo Edebiri, Pete Davidson, Bad Bunny, Quinta Brunson, John Mulaney, and Pedro Pascal.
The 40th anniversary special featured many of the same names, but with a different lineup. The upcoming event will also pay tribute to key players who have passed away in recent years, such as Norm Macdonald.
NBC will provide red-carpet coverage starting Sunday at 7 p.m., hosted by Willie Geist and Leslie Jones. Red carpet exclusives can be found on SNL’s social media channels, including interviews with invited guests.
Additionally, two documentaries about SNL are available to stream on Peacock: “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” and “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of ‘S.N.L.’ Music.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/arts/television/snl-50th-anniversary-special.html