For five decades, Saturday Night Live has been a major part of American comedy. It has helped start the careers of many famous comedians and become a big name in entertainment. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, NBC and Peacock have launched a series of special events and shows called SNL50. These offer fans a chance to look back at the show’s history and enjoy its lasting impact.
Exploring SNL’s History: “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night”
One key part of the SNL50 celebration is the four-part docuseries called “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night.” It first aired on Peacock on January 16, 2025. The series is led by Morgan Neville, a well-known filmmaker, and gives viewers a rare peek behind the scenes of SNL.
The docuseries has four episodes, each about a different part of the show:
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“Five Minutes”: Shows how actors audition for SNL, with unseen audition tapes and stories from cast members.
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“Written By”: Takes you into the writers’ room to see how sketches are made, from ideas to the stage.
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“More Cowbell”: Looks at the creation of a famous sketch with Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken.
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Season 11: Covers an important season that changed SNL and shaped its future.
Over 60 people, including past cast members and writers, share their stories in the series. It’s a great watch for anyone who loves SNL.
A Musical Celebration: “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert”
On February 14, 2025, Peacock streamed “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” live from Radio City Music Hall. This star-studded event celebrates SNL’s history of music. It was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, a former SNL cast member, and produced by Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson. The concert included performances by artists who have been on the show, such as:
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Arcade Fire
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The B-52s
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Backstreet Boys
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Bad Bunny
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David Byrne
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Brandi Carlile
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Miley Cyrus
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DEVO
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Brittany Howard
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Jelly Roll
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Lady Gaga
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Chris Martin
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Mumford & Sons
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Post Malone
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band
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Bonnie Raitt
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Robyn
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The Roots
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Eddie Vedder
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Jack White
You can stream the concert on Peacock now and enjoy the music again.
The Main Event: “SNL50: The Anniversary Special”
The biggest part of SNL50 was the three-hour live primetime special, “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” It aired on NBC and Peacock on February 16, 2025. The show brought together famous people and past cast members for sketches, music, and tributes to SNL.
Some standout moments were:
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Adam Sandler’s SNL anniversary song, introduced by Jack Nicholson
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Appearances by stars like:
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Adam Driver
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Ayo Edebiri
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Bad Bunny
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Dave Chappelle
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John Mulaney
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Kim Kardashian
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Martin Short
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Miley Cyrus
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Paul McCartney
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Paul Simon
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Pedro Pascal
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Peyton Manning
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Quinta Brunson
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Robert De Niro
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Sabrina Carpenter
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Scarlett Johansson
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Steve Martin
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Tom Hanks
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Woody Harrelson
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Reunions of past cast members, including:
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Adam Sandler
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Amy Poehler
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Andy Samberg
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Chevy Chase
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Chris Rock
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Eddie Murphy
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Fred Armisen
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Garrett Morris
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Jane Curtin
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Jason Sudeikis
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Jimmy Fallon
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Kate McKinnon
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Kenan Thompson
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Kristen Wiig
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Laraine Newman
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Maya Rudolph
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Molly Shannon
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Pete Davidson
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Seth Meyers
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Tina Fey
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Tracy Morgan
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Will Ferrell
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Will Forte
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The special was a huge hit, with 14.8 million viewers watching on NBC and Peacock. It was NBC’s most-watched primetime entertainment show in five years.
More SNL50 Content on Peacock
Besides the docuseries, concert, and anniversary special, Peacock has lots of SNL content for fans. You can watch every season of the show and other specials tied to the 50th anniversary.
The SNL50 celebration shows off the show’s amazing 50-year story, from its start to its big role in comedy and culture today.