Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special featured many celebrity guests, whether they were cast members, hosts, or simply just famous enough to attend, but one person was noticeably absent — Dan Aykroyd. He wasn’t the only formercast member missing from “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,“though. Others included Bill Hader, Dana Carvey, and Colin Quinn. All of their absences were quite evident, given their importance to the late-night live sketch comedy variety show’s legacy. However,Aykroyd’s not being involved in the three-hour episode significantly hurt the program’s 50th anniversary special.
On the bright side, numerous pastcast members were atSNL’s 50th anniversary special.Among the participants were Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Amy Poehler, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Kate McKinnon,and that’s only skimming the surface of the list of formerSaturday Night Livestars who attended “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” Meanwhile, the event’s celebrity guests (and famous past hosts) included Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Quinta Brunson, Paul McCartney, Jason Momoa, Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, and so many more actors/actresses/singers/musicians. Despite their presence, Aykroyd was still sorely missed.
Dan Aykroyd’s Reason For Missing SNL 50
According toVariety(who reached out to the actor’s rep),Dan Aykroyd had to missSaturday Night Live’s “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” due to “prior commitments.“He couldn’t sign on to attend because he already had something scheduled for Sunday, February 16. However, based on Akyroyd’s posts on hisXaccount, he was excited about the event. A few days before the three-hourSNLepisode, Aykroyd 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. 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 was evidently enthused aboutSaturday Night Livecelebrating its 50 seasonson the air, despite knowing he couldn’t be at the event. A few days after the special,Aykroyd gave his thoughts on how it went.His post onXreads:
“All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th. Advantage of not attending - got to see every second of concert and show on TV. Quote from my children: ‘Look at daddy’s smile!’ Had it from start to finish. Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual.”
Dan Aykroyd’s Absence Was A Shame For One Big Reason
Aykroyd Was An Original Saturday Night Live Cast Member
Aside from his obvious enthusiasm for “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,“Dan Aykroyd missing the event was disappointing due to his status as a legend within the walls of Studio 8H.Aykroyd was one of the seven “Not Ready For Prime Time Players” (akathe originalSaturday Night Livecast members). Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radnor, John Belushi, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman made up the season 1 group, forever cementing their place in the show’s legacy.
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Among the seven “Not Ready For Prime Time Players,” Aykroyd is one of the few surviving members. John Belushi and Gilda Radnor sadly died in the 1980s, while the rest ofSaturday Night Live’s original cast are still alive today. SinceAykroyd is one of the five “Not Ready For Prime Time Players” alive,it felt like something was missing in “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” He is anSNLlegend, after all. Aykroyd’s absence was a shame simply because the three-hour episode did not feel right without him there to commemorate the NBC late-night live sketch comedy variety program’s 50 seasons.
SNL 50 Review: Even A Few Missteps Couldn’t Wipe The Smile Off My Face Throughout A (Mostly) Successful Blending Of Old & New
While it’s longer runtime led to some misfire sketches, the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special was a wonderful tribute to its rich history.
Which Original SNL Cast Members Did Take Part In SNL 50?
Some Of The “Not Ready For Prime Time Players” Were In Attendance
The good news is that the rest of the living originalSaturday Night Livecast members attended the show.Garrett Morris' time on “SNL50: The Anniversary Special"was spent introducing John Belushi’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” sketch from 1978, which hauntingly depicts Belushi as an older man visiting the graves of his castmates. Meanwhile, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman didn’t have big roles in the three-hour episode. However,Curtin and Newman held up a picture of Gilda Radnor during the anniversary special’s closing remarks.
Despite all these positives,Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary would have been better with Aykroyd.
OtherSaturday Night Livecast members from the show’s early seasons also took part in the celebration.Bill Murray appeared during theWeekend Updatesegment.Eddie Murphy played roles in the “Scared Straight” and “Black Jeopardy” sketches. However, one of the best moments of the night came whenMeryl Streep made herSaturday Night Livedebutin the episode’s “Close Encounter” skit. She was joined by Kate McKinnon, Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson, Aidy Bryant, and Jon Hamm in the special’s funniest sketch. Despite all these positives,Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary would have been better with Aykroyd.
