‘SNL50’ schedule: 50th anniversary special, Radio City concert, merchandise, documentaries, books
An “SNL” 50th anniversary special, documentaries, and other celebrations are underway to commemorate a half-century of “Saturday Night Live.”
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Updated Feb. 10, 2025 with celebrity list; original version published Jan. 9, 2025.
‘SNL’ 50th anniversary special on NBC and Peacock
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special” will air Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 at 8 p.m. on NBC and also stream live on Peacock. The three-hour “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special will honor the comedy institution’s first five decades with current and former cast members, special guests, and lots of surprises.
A red-carpet event will air prior, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
If 2015’s 40th anniversary special is any indication of the 50th’s format, we can expect reprisals of legacy characters and famous sketches (the 40th revived “Wayne’s World” and “The Californians,” for example); montage tributes with clips from the past; and music performances.
As revealed on Feb. 6 & 10, the lineup of guests includes:
- Fred Armisen
- Quinta Brunson
- Bad Bunny
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Dave Chappelle
- Chevy Chase
- Jane Curtin
- Miley Cyrus
- Pete Davidson
- Adam Driver
- Ayo Edebiri
- Jimmy Fallon
- Will Ferrell
- Tina Fey
- Will Forte
- Tom Hanks
- Woody Harrelson
- Scarlett Johansson
- Kim Kardashian
- Peyton Manning
- Steve Martin
- Paul McCartney
- Kate McKinnon
- Seth Meyers
- Tracy Morgan
- Garrett Morris
- John Mulaney
- Eddie Murphy
- Laraine Newman
- Pedro Pascal
- Amy Poehler
- Chris Rock
- Maya Rudolph
- Andy Samberg
- Adam Sandler
- Molly Shannon
- Martin Short
- Jason Sudeikis
- Kenan Thompson
- Kristen Wiig
‘SNL’ 50th anniversary Radio City Music Hall concert on Peacock and in movie theaters
Separate from the 50th anniversary special will be a gala at Radio City Music Hall, directly across the street from the usual digs of 30 Rock (allowing for a much bigger audience than in Studio 8H). The one-time-only event will take place Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, two nights before the primetime anniversary special.
The event, officially titled “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” will stream live on Peacock at 8p.m. ET on Feb. 14.
The lineup of artists appearing in the concert include:
- Arcade Fire
- The B-52s
- 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 Roots
“SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” will also be streamed live to select IMAX movie theater screens on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.:
- Houston, Texas | Regal Lone Star
- Long Island, N.Y. | Regal Deer Park
- King of Prussia, Penn. | Regal UA King of Prussia
- Miami Beach, Fla. | Regal South Beach
- Ontario, Calif. | Regal Edwards Ontario Palace
Tickets for screenings are not available yet.
The concert will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon, directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller (veteran “SNL” director of over 200 episodes), executive produced by Lorne Michaels and Grammy-winner Mark Ronson, produced by Erin David (former “SNL” associate producer) and Caroline Maroney (“SNL” producer) with supervising producers Ken Aymong (former “SNL” producer for over 600 episodes) and Rob Paine (producer of over 100 television specials and ceremonies, including 2024’s Oscars and Kids Choice Awards).
As early as 2023, “SNL” creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels described the evening in detail, according to Deadline, as “a kind of homecoming night. It will have musical acts and stand-ups. Throughout the show, musical things that the cast have done over 50 years will be live. It will probably be streamed because the language won’t be in control, and it will take as long as it takes.”
Late Nighter first broke the news of the IMAX simulcasts.
New ‘SNL’ documentaries
‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’
streaming beginning Jan. 16, 2025 on Peacock
A four-part documentary series called “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” will stream on Peacock. Rather than chronicling the entire history of the show, the docuseries will instead devote each of its four episodes to one specific topic:
- the “SNL” audition process
- the “SNL” writers’ room
- the infamous “More Cowbell” sketch from 2000 starring Christopher Walken
- “SNL” season 11 (1985-1986), notable for Michaels’ return to the show after a five-year absence 1
“Beyond Saturday Night” will include new interviews with over 60 people paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of “SNL.” Its trailer reveals snippets of the roster: current cast members Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang; former cast members Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, Pete Davidson, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Meyers, Tracey Morgan, Bobby Moynihan, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman, and Damon Wayans; and former writers Larry David, Bob Odenkirk, Paula Pell, and Robert Smigel.
All episodes released on Peacock on Jan. 16.
‘Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music’
airing Jan. 27, 2025 on NBC at 8 p.m.
streaming beginning Jan. 28, 2025 on Peacock
A documentary tracing five decades of music performances on “Saturday Night Live” will debut Jan. 27, 2025 on NBC. The three-hour (with commercials) documentary, titled “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music” is directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
“Ladies & Gentlemen” will include new interviews with former “SNL” musical guests Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, DJ Breakout, Elvis Costello, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, Olivia Rodrigo, MC Sha-Rack, Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, and Lee Ving, according to NBC.
The title earns its name from the introduction of each week’s “SNL” musical guest by the episode’s host. Questlove previously helmed the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised).”
‘Saturday Night’ movie streaming on Netflix
“Saturday Night” is a film that dramatizes the 90 minutes leading into the very first episode of “SNL” in 1975. The Sony Pictures movie is directed by Jason Reitman and stars Gabriel LaBelle (“The Fabelmans”) as Lorne Michaels. It debuted in theaters in fall 2024. Though NBC isn’t officially affiliated with the film, Michaels invited the cast to observe the real “SNL” prior to production.
“Saturday Night” is now streaming on Netflix, and the movie is available for digital rental or purchase from YouTube, Apple, Amazon, and Fandango at Home. For a fun comparison, watch the actual first episode of “SNL” (streaming on Peacock) before or after watching the new movie.
50th anniversary ‘SNL’ merchandise + photo-ops at Universal Orlando
“SNL” 50th anniversary merchandise includes:
- products honoring the milestone season (such as sweatshirts, hats, and a holiday ornament depicting Studio 8H)
- items celebrating specific sketches from the show’s history (like a “What Up with That?” sweater)
- Funko Pops depicting favorite “SNL” characters, from classics like Debby Downer (Rachel Dratch) to newcomers like Domingo (Marcello Hernández)
The merchandise is available in person at The Shop at NBC Studios (open to the public inside Rockefeller Center in New York City) and online. The Domingo Funko Pop is available for pre-order through Jan. 16, 2025 from Funko.
Lots of the merchandise is available at Universal Studios Florida. We spotted merchandise inside The Tonight Shop, the gift store at the exit of Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon (that ride, focused on “The Tonight Show,” takes place within 30 Rock, home of both “The Tonight Show” and “SNL”), as well as at merchandise carts in Universal CityWalk.
Photos by Mikey Mayhem
The décor of The Tonight Shop is also decked out for the occasion with several photo-op backgrounds of famous “SNL” characters, plus various “SNL” logos through the years lining the wall.
A special issue of “New York Magazine” features over 50 “SNL” dignitaries on a special five-panel cover. It’s now available for $8 online.
New, free ‘SNL’ attraction in NYC
“Live from New York: The SNL50 Experience” opened as a limited-time, free attraction in Rockefeller Center operating from Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2025, as announced on the “Today” show on Jan. 13. Reservations launched on Jan. 14, 2025 and are now closed.
“Live from New York: The SNL50 Experience” is not admission into the “SNL” audience during an episode broadcast (info on how to do that is below).
1iota describes the attraction this way:
From walking through the main stage doors to rolling a chair up to the Weekend Update desk, every guest will experience the on and off-camera magic of “SNL” with unexpected surprises, exclusive content and giveaways, and opportunities to celebrate 50 years of memorable sketches throughout their journey.
Notably, the description calls the attraction a “Studio 8H-inspired experience” and doesn’t specifically say if guests will visit the actual Studio 8H.
NBC produced “Live from New York: The SNL50 Experience” in partnership with NVE Experience Agency. This approach differs from another recent NBC-inspired walkthrough attraction in Rockefeller Center: “Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares,” which was produced by Universal Destinations & Experiences with the same teams behind Universal theme parks. NVE’s previous work with NBC includes transforming Rockefeller Plaza into Olivia Benson Plaza in honor of “Law & Order: SVU.”
New ‘SNL’ books
‘Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live’
available Feb. 18, 2025
Debuting the same week as the big “SNL” 50th anniversary special, “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live” by Susan Morrison is a biography tracing the life of the show’s prolific creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels.
The book is 656 pages long and published by Random House, which describes the volume as “the definitive biography” of Michaels, going on to say, “With unprecedented access to Michaels and the entire ‘SNL’ apparatus, Susan Morrison takes readers behind the curtain for the lively, up-and-down, definitive story of how Michaels created and maintained the institution that changed comedy forever.”
‘The Art of the SNL Portrait’
available March 4, 2025
A coffee-table book from Pentagram will showcase photographer Mary Ellen Matthews’ portfolio of portraits captured of “SNL” hosts and musical guests over the years. The book, titled “The Art of the SNL Portrait,” will include text by Alison Castle (author of 2015’s “Saturday Night Live: The Book”).
The book’s description reads in part:
Andy Samberg in a giant martini glass. Billie Eilish peeking out of a pile of snow. Kevin Hart writing his own cue cards. Paul Rudd as Paul McCartney. Sarah Silverman dusting the NBC marquee. Alec Baldwin as the Godfather.
These are just a few examples of Matthews’ bold, dynamic, and playful celebrity portraits that for over two decades have artfully highlighted the hosts and musical guests who help bring the show to life.
Surprises during weekly episodes in 50th season of ‘SNL’
Even beyond the anniversary specials, all year long alumni have been popping up during regular episodes of “SNL” as part of the show’s landmark 50th season.
Already this season has featured surprise appearances by former “SNL” cast members Pete Davidson, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Kyle Mooney, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Kristen Wiig, as well as former “SNL” writer Akiva Schaffer. Former cast member Chris Rock and former writer John Mulaney each hosted an episode in season 50.
Additionally, Dana Carvey, alumnus of 1986-1993, has appeared in nine of season 50’s 12 episodes thus far at the time of this writing, portraying a repertoire of roles ranging from President Joe Biden to Jennifer Coolidge to his beloved Church Lady character.
Promotional tie-ins
As part of the 50th anniversary, you may spot a few TV commercials featuring “SNL” luminaries. Thus far, such campaigns have included:
- Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon reprising their roles as “Delicious Dish” NPR hosts in Capital One commercials
- the Please Don’t Destroy trio of Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall starring in Allstate commercials
- Marcello Hernández and Kenan Thompson in a T-Mobile commercial
50 years of ‘SNL’ episodes on Peacock, sketches on YouTube
Fans can find episodes from all 50 season of “SNL” streaming on Peacock, as well as a vast library of sketches from the show’s history uploaded to its official YouTube channel. “SNL” social media platforms are also counting down the days until the big anniversary show with “50 Seasons in 50 Days” campaign, sharing a memorable sketch from each season in descending order every day, as well as posting a montage of that season’s hosts, musical guests, and goodnights.
The “SNL” YouTube channel is keeping up with a “50 Seasons in 50 Days” playlist highlighting the selected sketches thus far.
To help get you started on your “SNL” 50th anniversary YouTube marathon, here are some of our favorites:
Be in the ‘SNL’ audience in New York
Want to know how to be in the audience for “SNL”? We mapped out the steps you need to take in our previous report; we were successful with both the “standby line” and “lottery” methods.
(Note: It’s unlikely that the “SNL” 50th anniversary special will adhere to the typical ticketing process; the audience at the 40th anniversary was comprised nearly entirely of former cast, crew, and hosts. But, you never know. The ticketing process described here remains in place for “regular” episodes throughout season 50.)
For those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of “SNL,” we also wrote a report describing our firsthand experience observing what happens in Studio 8H during sketches and commercial breaks.
Full calendar
Phew! To recap, here are all the “SNL50” festivities organized chronologically by date:
- Now on Peacock
- “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” docuseries
- “Ladies and Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music” documentary
- Now on Netflix | “Saturday Night” film (2024)
- Now at Universal Orlando | “SNL” merch and décor at The Tonight Shop
- Feb. 4 | “Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Collection: Seasons 1-5” DVD release
- Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock and select IMAX theaters | “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert”
- Feb. 15 at 10 p.m. on NBC | Rerun of the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” from Oct. 11, 1975
- Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. on NBC and Peacock | Red carpet event
- Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock | “SNL50: The Anniversary Special”
- Feb. 18 | “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live” book release by Susan Morrison
- March 4 | “The Art of the SNL Portrait” book release by Mary Ellen Matthews and Alison Castle
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Footnote
- “Saturday Night Live: The Book” by Alison Castle (Taschen, 2015). ↩︎
