While more than 180 cast members, guest hosts and other celebs gathered to celebrate Saturday Night Live’s milestone, “SNL50: The Anniversary Show,” one of Sunday night’s surprises came in the form of who was NOT there.
When the nearly four hour celebration wrapped, fans noticed that some notable SNL alum never appeared. Founding cast member Dan Aykroyd posted about the anniversary on X, but did not end up attending the show.
On X he wrote, ““Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago,” the original cast member wrote. “This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it’s friggin’ Holy!!”
Aykroyd also posted about the first show of the 50th season, writing “Cracking some @crystalheadvodka to celebrate @nbcsnl first show of its 50th anniversary year.
I’ll be watching live on the road in the #Headmobile this Saturday, September 28th. Beldar Conehead – ‘The New Cast members will be placed on the rolls of the protected.’”
Bill Hader Responds to Invite With “Polite Decline”
According to Puck News’, Bill Hader, who was a cast member from 2005 to 2013, replied to his invitation with “a polite decline.”
Hader still made the special, seen in a commercial he did with Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen for Volkswagen.
Dana Carvey is a No Show With No Explanation
Despite appearing on Saturday Night Live earlier this season playing former President Joe Biden, comedian Dana Carvey didn’t show for the Anniversary Show. And he hasn’t spoken about the milestone on any social media platform. Carvey was a cast member from 1986 to 1993.
SNL Weekend Update Host Colin Quinn Missing from Anniversary Show
Colin Quinn, who hosted the “Weekend Update” segment of SNL from 1998 until 2000, was missing as well. On his website, it has him listed doing standup comedy at Goodnights in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 16, the night of the live SNL Anniversary show.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Fellow Castmates Pay Tribute to Legends
Of course, some cast members weren’t there because they have passed away. Original cast member, 88-year-old Garrett Morris appeared onstage to pay tribute to the late, great John Belushi. Morris shared a video sketch by Belushi called “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” But first he jokingly told the audience, “I had no idea, y’all, that I would be required to do so many reunion shows!”
Jane Curtain and Laraine Newman Honor Friend Gilda Radner
Original cast members Laraine Newman and Jane Curtain made sure that the only other woman in the original cast, the late comedian Gilda Radner was a part of the show. At the end for the traditional gathering on the stage, Martin Short paid tribute to the original cast. That’s when Newman and Curtain held up a portrait of Radner.
Radner spent five seasons on SNL and brought to life iconic characters like Emily Litella, Roseanne Roseannadanna, Baba Wawa, Lisa Loopner and many others. Her work on the show won her an Emmy Award in 1978.
Radner and Belushi are not the only cast members who have been lost over the years. Other notable SNLers who have passed away include Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, Andy Kaufman, Norm Macdonald, Peter Aykroyd, Gilbert Gottfried and Dan Vitale.
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SNL50: Who We Missed at the Anniversary Special