Iconic Absences at SNL 50: Where Were Aykroyd, Hader, and Carvey?
Saturday Night Live rolled out the red carpet for its star-studded 50th anniversary special on February 16, but not everyone was ready to party. While the NBC special brought back a plethora of past cast members, hosts, and musical guests for a memorable evening, several notable omissions raised eyebrows among fans and cast alike. Among the stars conspicuously absent were Dan Aykroyd, Bill Hader, and Dana Carvey—names that resonate with SNL’s rich legacy.
Aykroyd, the only living original cast member not to grace the stage, was a surprising no-show. His absence was confirmed by manager comments a few weeks prior, although he still made waves by promoting the event on social media, calling it “as historical as the next moon landing” and celebrating SNL’s legacy. Meanwhile, Hader, renowned for his work on SNL and for co-starring in the recent Volkswagen commercial alongside former castmates, politely declined the invite. Yet he still participated in promoting the 50th anniversary documentary—Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music—where he reflected on the complex relationship between the show and Kanye West, who also skipped the event.
Dana Carvey, known for his killer impressions, is another surprising absence. Although he’s been a familiar face this season, often popping up to portray Joe Biden and Elon Musk, Carvey’s choice to sit out the SNL 50 celebration left many scratching their heads. It’s ironic, considering he was a pivotal part of the show’s past anniversary specials—the 25th and the 40th. Furthermore, former “Weekend Update” anchor Colin Quinn was also missing, which felt odd given his historical involvement in past specials.
This absence parade raises questions about what it means to celebrate a legacy when some of its most significant figures choose the couch over the stage. Sure, life is busy, but missing this momentous event feel like a missed chance to unite the SNL family. From iconic sketches to heartfelt tributes, SNL 50 was undeniably a blast—at least for those who showed up! But in the grand landscape of comedy history, will the absence of these legends be felt? Most definitely.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Puck News, NPR, Variety
