Update: Add comedy legends Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell to the long list of celebrity guests who will be attending the “SNL50: Anniversary Special.” One of the biggest events in the history of television will feature appearances from some of the biggest celebrities across film, TV, music and sports.
In addition to the aforementioned three “SNL” alumni, on Monday, NBC announced the special will feature appearances by Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Fred Armisen, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Will Forte.
They will join the special’s previously announced guests 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, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson. Additional names will be announced at a later date.
Everyone in this latest round of celebrity guests has been part of the “SNL” cast. Kenan Thompson holds the record of being on the show the longest, having been on it for 22 seasons and counting. Thompson is followed by Seth Meyers, who was part of the series for 13 seasons. Fred Armisen and Kate McKinnon also hit the double digit marks during their time on the show as both were on for 11 seasons.
This line-up also includes several original cast members, including Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman. Morris, Curtin and Newman all started with the show in 1975 and stayed until 1980, the same season that saw series creator Lorne Michaels leaving the show (He later returned in 1985). Chase notoriously left “SNL” early in the series’ second season, becoming the first member of the original cast to depart.
As for the first round of announced guests, only John Mulaney and Martin Short were writers or cast members on the series, though both have gone on to become beloved hosts. Mulaney wrote for the NBC show from 2008 to 2013, and Short was instrumental in saving the show’s rocky era when he was part of “SNL” from 1984 to 1985.
As for the rest of the announced guests, all have appeared on “Saturday Night Live” as either a host or a musical guest. Both Steve Martin and Tom Hanks are in the rare stratosphere in that the number of times they’ve hosted has crossed into the double digits. Martin has hosted the NBC staple 16 times, and Hanks hosted it 10 times. Additionally, five of the confirmed guests are in the Five-Timers Club: John Mulaney, Scarlett Johansson, Dave Chappelle, Martin Short and Woody Harrelson. However, in the case of Mulaney and Johansson, both have actually hosted the show six times each.
Even the celebrities who don’t have as long of a history with “SNL” have strong ties to it. For example, even though Peyton Manning and Pedro Pascal only hosted once each, their episodes produced two of the most memorable sketches of their time with Manning’s “United Way” and Pascal’s “Protective Mom.”
The live three-hour telecast will air on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and will be simulcast on NBC and Peacock.
Leading up to the big night, Peacock will also livestream the “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” from Radio City Music Hall on Feb. 14. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon and executive produced by Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson, the concert will highlight iconic performances from across the show’s half a century. Musical artists will include Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, David Byrne, DEVO, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s and The Roots with more artists to be announced.
Fans can also watch “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” and NBC’s “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music,” both of which are available to stream on Peacock. “Saturday Night Live” is produced in association with Broadway Video and is created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels.
