After Uproar From Fans, We Finally Have Answers As To Why Several Notable 'SNL' Alumni Skipped The Show's 50th Anniversary Celebrations
From Friday's live concert to Sunday's celebratory special, stars in attendance included pretty much everyone who's ever been on SNL or hosted it since its very conception, including the likes of Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Will Ferrell, Scarlett Johansson, Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Drew Barrymore, Meryl Streep, Seth Meyers, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bad Bunny, Chris Rock, Jon Hamm, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Paul McCartney, and Tom Hanks — just to name a few, literally.
But, despite the whole thing literally being like a game of spot the A-listers, some fans were still left saddened by the absence of several notable SNL alumni — including Bill Hader. And after viewers expressed their disappointment online, we finally have a few answers.
Nah, how are you going to celebrate SNL 50 weekend update without Stefon. That's a crime. Where tf is Bill Hader #SNL50 #SNL50thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/6sojdmPl2q
— ohheyp (@ohheyp) February 17, 2025
NBC / Twitter: @ohheyp
Ok not gonna lie, it feels wrong watching the SNL 50th anniversary without Bill Hader #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/ATkSg5LxNw
— T (@theycallmeT_04) February 17, 2025
NBC / Twitter: @theycallmeT_04
This show had everything. Except Bill Hader's Stefon. #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/smt9nW6zro
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) February 17, 2025
NBC / Twitter: @kbeninato
According to a new report from Variety, Bill — a fan-favorite cast member on the show from 2005 to 2013 — couldn't make it due to a 'longstanding scheduling conflict,' his representative said.
Meanwhile, the same report suggests that SNL icon Dana Carvey, who was a regular star on the sketch show from 1986 to 1993, couldn't make it because he had a 'bad flu' and was sadly too sick to celebrate in person.
Dana has not personally confirmed this, although he may likely address his absence during the next episode of his Fly on the Wall podcast with fellow SNL alum David Spade.
And finally, one of the other most notable absences of the special was that of Dan Aykroyd — who was a cast member on the show back when it started in 1975. Days before the weekend of SNL50 celebrations began, the Blues Brothers star marked the milestone on X, writing: '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!!'
In light of this, many were surprised that he didn't show up for the big night. However, like Bill, Dan's rep told Variety that his absence was due to 'prior commitments.'
Shareif Ziyadat / FilmMagic
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