Saturday Night Live celebrated its monumental 50th anniversary with a special episode that brought together many beloved cast members and past guests. However, some notable figures who have long been associated with the comedy sketch show were missing from the festivities.
Dana Carvey, a regular on the show known for his impersonations, including his portrayal of former President Joe Biden, was notably absent from the anniversary special. He also did not post any messages about the event on his social media, leaving fans curious about his absence.
Another highly anticipated star who did not appear was Bill Hader. The comedian, who gained fame for his work on SNL and his role as a Weekend Update anchor, politely declined the invitation due to ongoing work commitments.
Dan Aykroyd, one of the original SNL co-founders, also skipped the special. Although he wasn’t present, Aykroyd expressed his pride for the show’s success on his X (formerly Twitter) account, reflecting on his time as a co-founder and the significance of the anniversary. He called the 50th anniversary telecast “as historical as the next moon landing,” paying tribute to Lorne Michaels, the legendary producer behind the show.
Colin Quinn, who was with SNL from 1998 to 2000 and hosted Weekend Update, was another absence that raised some eyebrows.
Despite the absences, many iconic stars did show up to celebrate the milestone. The anniversary episode featured appearances from Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Chevy Chase, all of whom have had significant roles in the show’s history.
While the absentees were missed, the special still honored the incredible legacy of SNL and its impact on comedy over the past five decades.