Dan Aykroyd, a founding member of Saturday Night Live (SNL), gave his seal of approval to the show’s 50th-anniversary special despite his absence from the event. The 72-year-old, who was part of the original cast in 1975, did not join his former colleagues at the star-studded celebration in New York City on Sunday, February 16. However, he took to social media to express his admiration for the milestone show, describing it as “triumphant.”
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In a post on X, Aykroyd congratulated everyone involved in the anniversary special and shared his experience of watching the event from home. He mentioned how he enjoyed every moment of the concert and show on TV, quoting his children who noted his smile throughout. The actor also highlighted his appreciation for SNL creator Lorne Michaels, praising the show’s success with a simple “Well done as usual.”
While Aykroyd did not address the reason for his absence directly, he did reflect on the significance of the moment for the show on the day of the Radio City concert. He described the event as historic, likening it to a moon landing and expressing his pride in being a co-founder of SNL. The comedian’s representative cited “prior commitments” as the reason for his inability to attend the festivities, alongside other absentees such as Bill Hader, Dana Carvey, Colin Quinn, and Dick Ebersol.
Several original members of SNL did attend the 50th-anniversary event, including Larraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, and Chevy Chase. A touching moment occurred at the end of the show when Newman and Curtin paid tribute to the late Gilda Radner, holding up a framed photo of their former colleague who passed away in 1989. This gesture added emotional depth to the celebratory occasion.
The event also saw notable performances and appearances from current and past SNL cast members, bringing together generations of comedic talent under the legacy of Lorne Michaels. Despite the absence of some familiar faces, the special was a testament to the enduring impact and legacy of SNL in the world of comedy and entertainment.
As fans and viewers tuned in to celebrate the iconic sketch comedy show’s milestone, Aykroyd’s positive feedback and nostalgic reflections added to the sentiment of appreciation for SNL’s enduring cultural significance. While the show may have evolved over the years, its ability to bring laughter and entertainment to audiences remains a constant, as evidenced by the success of its 50-year journey.