SNL 50th Anniversary Special: What to Know About February 1 Episode

NEW YORK — As “Saturday Night Live” approaches its 50th anniversary, fans are eagerly anticipating the star-studded special set for February 16. However, the February 1 episode will not feature new content, instead re-airing two memorable past episodes.

On Saturday, NBC will broadcast the season 49 finale at 10 p.m. ET, hosted by Jake Gyllenhaal with musical guest Sabrina Carpenter. This will be followed by the November 9, 2024, episode at 11:30 p.m. ET, featuring comedian Bill Burr as host and Mk.gee as the musical guest.

The 50th anniversary celebration has been building momentum with various events and programming. The four-part docuseries “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” is currently streaming on Peacock, offering fans a deep dive into the show’s history. Additionally, a three-hour documentary titled “Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music,” co-directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, premiered recently on the same platform.

On February 14, Peacock will stream “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” a three-hour special hosted by Jimmy Fallon, featuring performances by Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Jelly Roll, Chris Martin, and more. The anniversary festivities will culminate on February 16 with a live three-hour special on NBC, showcasing highlights from the show’s half-century on air.

For those looking to relive the very beginning, NBC will air the debut episode from October 11, 1975, on February 15 at 10 p.m. ET. This episode featured George Carlin as host and musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian, alongside the original cast members including Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Chevy Chase.

All 50 seasons of “Saturday Night Live” are available to stream on Peacock, allowing fans to revisit their favorite moments anytime.