Several frequent hosts, including Five-Timers Club members Tom Hanks (who originated the bit back in 1990), Steve Martin, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Simon, Martin Short, and Woody Harrelson, are among the first announced guests for the three-hour, primetime show, airing Feb. 16 on NBC. Also set to appear are Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro and Sabrina Carpenter.
On Feb. 10, NBC announced a second round of guests — namely, almost two dozen current and former cast members. They range from members of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players — Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman — to current star Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving performer in the show’s history. Also appearing are Fred Armisen, Pete Davidson, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kate McKinnon, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Adam Sandler, Molly Shannon, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig.
More guests will be announced in the days leading up to the special.
The live special will celebrate a half century of SNL sketches and performances and serve as the cap to a blitz of programming on NBC and Peacock about the show’s milestone. (The actual 50th anniversary of SNL’s first episode, incidentally, is on Oct. 11, 2025). Peacock is streaming a four-part docuseries about SNL and on Feb. 14 will host a live concert special featuring a host of musical acts that have appeared on the show. NBC also aired a documentary about SNL music that’s now streaming on Peacock.
