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Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
It’s been half a century since Saturday Night Live first aired and NBC is celebrating with a three-hour prime-time special on Sunday night.
Saturday Night Live, which was originally called NBC’s Saturday Night, aired its first episode on October 11, 1975, and has been making viewers laugh for decades with live comedy sketches featuring beloved cast members and guest celebrity appearances.
The SNL 50th anniversary special is a star-studded TV event celebrating the past 50 years of the New York-based late-night show. NBC called it “the crown jewel of a big weekend of events highlighting the trailblazing sketch series’ rich history.” It’s expected to include sketches and musical performances and will be a three-hour live event, double the amount of time of a normal SNL show.
Every day in the 50 days leading up to the anniversary special, NBC has been posting one SNL sketch from every single season on its website. The network is also re-airing SNL’s first episode on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET instead of a new episode of SNL.


Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on “Saturday Night Live” during its 31st season at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images
How To Watch the 50th Anniversary Episode
The anniversary special will air at 8 p.m. ET. There is also a one-hour red carpet event hosted by NBC host Willie Geist and SNL alumna Leslie Jones with correspondent Matt Rogers airing at 7 p.m. ET.
Viewers can watch the anniversary special live on NBC or stream it live on Peacock. The red carpet event can also be seen live on NBC and Peacock as well as E!.
List Of Celebrity Guests Expected To Appear
The anniversary special is gonna be jam-packed with celebrities including the following stars from SNL’s Five-Timers Club, who have been on the late-night show at least five times:
- John Mulaney
- Martin Short
- Paul Simon
- Scarlett Johansson
- Steven Martin
- Tom Hanks
- Woody Harrelson
Here is a list of other celebrities who are confirmed to appear in the episode:
- Adam Driver
- Ayo Edibiri
- Bad Bunny
- Dave Chappelle
- Kim Kardashian
- Miley Cyrus
- Paul McCartney
- Pedro Pascal
- Peyton Manning
- Quinta Brunson
- Robert De Niro
- Sabrina Carpenter
Who Is in the Cast Of SNL Season 50? » …
