Saturday Night Live Takes Break After Milestone 50th Anniversary Celebration

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fans of “Saturday Night Live” will need to wait a little longer for the next episode as the show takes a break following its 50th anniversary celebrations. There will not be a new episode airing on February 22, 2025, but NBC will re-broadcast a previously aired episode featuring host Paul Mescal and musical guest Shaboozey.

The special airing on Saturday night is a repeat of the December 7, 2024, episode, which marked Mescal’s first time hosting SNL. During that episode, he showcased not only his comedic talents but also demonstrated his singing skills with a parody from his film, “Gladiator II.” Additionally, Shaboozey performed his songs “Good News” and “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” further highlighting the diverse talent that SNL has featured this season.

February 2025 proved to be a particularly busy month for the SNL cast and crew, culminating in the landmark SNL50 celebration hosted at Radio City Music Hall on February 14. This star-studded live event included performances by luminaries such as Cher, Lady Gaga, and Lauryn Hill, among others. The festivities continued with a three-hour primetime special that aired on February 16, showcasing the history and impact of SNL over the past five decades.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” said Lorne Michaels, SNL’s creator and showrunner. “We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, but most importantly, we’ve entertained and connected with audiences all over the world.”

Following the SNL50 celebrations, two upcoming episodes are scheduled, with comedian Shane Gillis set to host on March 1, 2025, alongside musical guest Tate McRae. Mother Monster Lady Gaga will return to the SNL stage the following week to pull double duty as both host and musical guest on March 8, coinciding with the release of her new studio album, “Mayhem,” debuting just a day prior.

More than just a sketch show, SNL continues to evolve and entertain, offering a unique blend of political satire, music, and comedy that resonates with audiences of all ages. In addition to generic highlights, the 50th anniversary celebrations prioritized the show’s legacy, with appearances from beloved former cast members such as Eddie Murphy and Kristen Wiig.

After celebrating a half-century of sketches and performances, the cast and crew are taking time to recharge, preparing to resume their comedic rhythm next month. As always, SNL remains a staple of American television, consistently mixing timely humor with cultural commentary.