Two key cast members will not be returning for the 50th anniversary ofSaturday Night Live. The long-running NBC sketch comedy variety series, which features a rotating ensemble cast, celebrity hosts, and musical guests, was created by Lorne Michaels in 1975. TheupcomingSaturday Night Livespecial, which debuts on February 16, is set to feature members of the current cast alongside many iconic stars from throughout the show’s history, including Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Kate McKinnon, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy, Laraine Newman, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Adam Sandler, Molly Shannon, and Kristen Wiig.
What This Means For The SNL 50th Anniversary Special
Dan Aykroyd’s Absence Eliminates The Potential For A Major Reunion
With Dan Aykroyd absent from the 50th anniversary special, this means thatthere will not be a full reunion of the surviving “Not Ready for Prime Time Players"who appeared on thefirst episode ofSaturday Night Live. Of the five surviving members, Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and Garrett Morris are all set to appear. Previously, all five of them reunited on the 40th anniversary special, which aired on July 02, 2025.
Other members of the originalSNLseason 1 cast include John Belushi (who died in 1982) and Gilda Radner (who died in 1989).
Although his absence has less historical importance,Bill Hader also leaves a notable hole in the roster. His tenure onSaturday Night Livelasted for eight years, between the beginning of season 31 in 2005 and the end of season 38 in 2013. Although he was present at the 40th anniversary special, the fact that he will reportedly not be returning continues his longest stretch of absence from the show since his original departure, as he has not appeared on a regular episode since a cameo during the season 44 episode hosted by John Mulaney in 2019.
Our Take On The SNL Absences
The 50th Anniversary Will Still Be Huge
In spite of the fact that this major reunion will not happen,the 50th anniversary special will be remarkably star-studded. In addition to featuring members of theSaturday Night Liveseason 50 cast, which includes Kenan Thompson (who has had the longest tenure of any cast member with 22 seasons), the show will feature members of the “Five-Timers Club” who have hosted the show a record number of times, including Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Woody Harrelson, Martin Short, and Scarlett Johansson. Other stars on the roster include Miley Cyrus, Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Kardashian, Adam Driver, and Paul McCartney.
Saturday Night Live
Cast
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
