Three unique TV and streaming specials will celebrateSaturday Night Liveas it returns for its milestone year. Lorne Michael’s variety show has captured viewers on Saturday night for five decades, warranting opportunities to reflect on the genuine accomplishment. The documentaries vary in format and theme, offering something for anyone touched bySNLover its 50 years on television. The anniversary projects will feature live performances and dive into past archives to bring great moments fromSNLhistory to the present.
The documentaries will provide an in-depth BTS look into the production ofSNL,providing first-hand perspectives on what it means to maintain the legacy. The specials will surely deliver new insights about the show’s productions that revive viewers’ nostalgia for the show, which often happens when viewing favorite sketches or seeing afavoriteSNLcast membertalk about their time on the series. The specials will air in tandem with the show’s return forSNLseason 50, with hosts like David Chapelle and Timothy Chalamet ringing in the new year and the 50th year ofSNL.
3SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
Thursday, January 16, On Peacock
Comedy fans can begin celebratingSNL’s anniversary withSNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,a four-part docuseries coming to Peacock on Thursday, January 16. All four episodes will be available simultaneously, covering the audition process, the writer’s room, iconic sketches, andSNLseason 11. Executive producer Morgan Neville chose to focus on “The Weird Year,” as the final episode is called, due to what Peacock describes as“the pivotal year that reset the show’s direction and cemented its enduring DNA”in the synopsis. In the trailer for the series,SNLcontributors suggest the year almost ended the show (viaNBC).
With Academy and Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville as executive producer, synthesizing interviews forSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nightwill undoubtedly offer profound insights.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Nightpromises interviews with over 60 writers and comedians who contributed to the show. The trailer for the docuseries confirms that interviews with past contributors will candidly reflect how maintaining the show can often be an unpredictable and harrowing experience as the cast and writers navigate the challenges of producing live television. With Academy and Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville as executive producer, synthesizing interviews forSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nightwill undoubtedly offer profound insights. Interviews will include past and current cast members to highlight history alongside the modern era.
2Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music
Monday, January 27, On NBC
To cap off the month of January, NBC will air Questlove’s documentary about the history of musical performances, sketches, and cameos onSaturday Night Live.Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Oz Rodriguez,Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Musicis a three-hour special on NBC on January 27 focusing on the show’s musical legacy. The broadcast will break down the show’s robust music history with over 50 interviews with some of its biggest icons. Modern stars like Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish will feature alongside legends like DMC and Dave Grohl to pay tribute toSNL(viaNBC).
Timothée Chalamet’s Record-Breaking SNL 50 Return Makes His Best Skit Even Better
SNL 50 taps Timothée Chalamet for another hosting gig, but he’ll do double-duty as a musical guest too, making his best skit in the show even better.
Questlover’s project will feature interviews with musical performers as it sifts through the archives of greatSNLperformances. The broadcast will also hear from current and former members of SNL’s creative team, like Fred Armisen, Conan O’Brien, Bill Hader, and Ego Nwodim, who will help explain howSNLestablished a musical legacy beyond its performances. The project is the perfect way for those who tune intoSNLfor its musical performances to celebrate. It provides a chance to be nostalgic about the show and reflect on every decade of music that establishedSNL’s legacy.
1SNL50: The Anniversary Special
Sunday, February 16, On NBC And Peacock
Last but certainly not least,SNLwill air a three-hour special on NBC and Peacock to cap off the celebrations ofSNLseason 50.SNL50: The Anniversary Specialwill be a three-hour live primetime event on February 16 on NBC and Peacock, advertised as the crown jewel of a big weekend of events highlighting the show’s milestone. The variety show also held a special for its 40th anniversary, which featured dozens of past cast members and iconic musical performances, and the 50th special is sure to top it (viaNBC).
CatchSNL50: The Anniversary Special onSunday, February 16, from 8 to 11 pm on NBC And Peacock.
While Morgan Neville’sSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nightallows viewers to delve intoSNL’s creative process,and Questlove’s documentary will explore its musical archives with icons of the present,SNL50: The Anniversary Specialwill cap it all off with what the show does best. The three-hour special will be live, providing sketches, performances, and memorable celebrity appearances. There’s something for every fan of the show this winter, regardless of what part ofSaturday Night Liveviewers want to celebrate as the show rounds its milestone.
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.
