A few months following the debut ofSaturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special, NBC is set to air the successful episode again. The late-night live sketch comedy variety series, created and executive-produced by Lorne Michaels, has been running since 1975 and has released 50 seasons and almost 1,000 episodes, which is quite the feat. So, the network and minds behindSaturday Night Livedecided tocelebrate the show’s 50th anniversary with a three-hour special.Thankfully, if anyone missed the episode, they can catch it again in early June.
Fans can relive the hilarious skits, impressive celebrity cameos,the return ofSaturday Night Livelegends, and more whenNBC airs an encore presentation of “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” on Sunday, June 8, at 7:30-11 p.m. ET/PT(per a report from NBC). The live episode was originally released on Sunday, February 16, on NBC and Peacock, where it accumulated millions of views. Many tuned in to watch as former and currentSaturday Night Livecast members and other celebrities gathered to celebrate the show’s 50-season run on broadcast TV in Studio 8H.
What The Encore Airing Of SNL50 Means For Saturday Night Live
The Anniversary Special Was A Massive Success
According to NBC,“SNL50: The Anniversary Special” amassed 22 million viewsacross all platforms, like NBC and Peacock. With its high ratings and good reviews, it’s understandable why the network would want to air it again. Some who have already seen the episode might desire to relive its various sketches (including"Close Encounters" with Meryl Streepand “Scared Straight” featuring the return of Eddie Murphy). Meanwhile, others who didn’t get to watch “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” in February (and don’t have Peacock) now have another chance to check it out. It could also draw in new fans.
Plus, given thatSaturday Night Liveseason 50 released its finaleon Sunday, May 17,NBC can keep theSNLspirit alive via the anniversary special’s encore presentation.It will be a few months before the show returns for its 51st season. In the meantime, fans can watch repeats of past episodes, including “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” on NBC on June 8.
Our Take On SNL50’s Encore
Saturday Night Live Isn’t Going Anywhere Anytime Soon
If anyone had any doubts before, NBC’s re-airing of"SNL50: The Anniversary Special"proves thatSaturday Night Liveis still thriving 50 years after its series premiere. The show won’t be ending anytime soon. So, after looking back onSaturday Night Live’s long and impressive history via the 50th anniversary special episode, they can look ahead to many more years of laughs.
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” and NBC’s “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music” are all available to stream exclusively on Peacock.
Saturday Night Live
Cast
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
