Why Dana Carvey, Bill Hader, and More ‘SNL’ Legends Skipped the 50th Anniversary Special
Dana Carvey’s Unexpected Absence
February 18, 2025: Dana Carvey, a beloved Saturday Night Live icon, has made several appearances on SNL this season, most recently portraying President Joe Biden and reviving his iconic Church Lady character. However, fans were surprised when he was noticeably absent from the highly anticipated SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday.
According to Variety, Carvey was battling a severe flu, making it impossible for him to attend the event. While his longtime friend and podcast co-host David Spade did participate, Carvey had to sit this one out. Given his deep ties to SNL, his absence was felt.
Carvey, who was a regular cast member from 1986 to 1993 and has frequently returned as a guest, is expected to address his absence on the next episode of his podcast Fly on the Wall With Dana Carvey and David Spade, which typically releases on Wednesdays.
Bill Hader’s Scheduling Conflict
Another major name missing from the event was Bill Hader, who was part of SNL from 2005 to 2013. A representative for Hader explained that he was unable to attend due to a “longstanding scheduling conflict.” Although no further details were provided, his absence disappointed many fans who were hoping to see him join the celebration.
Dan Aykroyd’s Prior Commitments
Original SNL cast member Dan Aykroyd (1975-1979) also skipped the event. His representative cited “prior commitments” as the reason for his absence. However, Aykroyd did acknowledge the milestone on social media.
On the day of the event, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): “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.”
Interestingly, in a previous interview with AV Club last November, Aykroyd hinted that his attendance would depend on how he could contribute to the show. “It depends on how I can serve… How I can serve Lorne and the whole enterprise best. That’ll determine whether I go or not.”
Other Notable No-Shows
Several other well-known SNL alums were also missing from the event:
- Colin Quinn – The former Weekend Update anchor was performing stand-up in Raleigh, N.C., on February 16, the night of the special. He confirmed his absence in a post on X.
- Dennis Miller – Another former Weekend Update host, Miller did not make an appearance, though no specific reason was given.
The Legends Who Did Show Up
Despite these absences, the surviving members of the original Not Ready for Prime Time cast were present at the event:
- Garrett Morris appeared on stage.
- Laraine Newman participated in a pre-taped sketch.
- Jane Curtin and Chevy Chase also made appearances.
While some of SNL’s biggest legends were unable to attend, the SNL50 special was still a historic night filled with nostalgia, tributes, and star-studded performances.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Image Credit: Will Heath/NBC