Fifty years. Five decades of questionable impressions, occasionally inspired Weekend Updates, and a whole lot of musical acts that probably wouldn’t have been booked anywhere else. “Saturday Night Live,” the television institution you either love, hate-watch, or pretend to have outgrown, is hitting the half-century mark, and they’re throwing a concert.
Live from Radio City Music Hall, Jimmy Fallon will preside over what NBC is calling “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” a celebration of musical performances, comedic bits, and no doubt a generous helping of self-congratulation. While details about the comedic side of things remain sparse, the musical lineup is extensive, spanning generations and genres. Arcade Fire, the Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, and Chris Martin are just a fraction of the artists slated to appear. Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s, The Roots, and “more” (because there’s always “more” with these things) will also grace the stage.
Will it be a train wreck? Possibly. Will it be a poignant trip down memory lane? Maybe for a few fleeting moments. Will it be an excuse to see some big names perform on network television? Absolutely. Either way, for a show that’s been declared dead more times than a Weekend Update punchline, 50 years is something. So tune in, stream it on Peacock, do whatever you have to do to witness this milestone.
“SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” airs Friday, February 14 at 8:00 PM ET on NBC and streams live on Peacock.
