The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special is in good hands. An all-star team of SNL writers has been assembled to deliver for the historic event.
SNL has already announced some of the A-list celebrities and iconic cast alumni expected to attend the three-hour live event. The guest list includes Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Eddie Murphy, Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Quinta Brunson, and Tom Hanks.
Now, we're getting an idea of who will be working behind the scenes at the SNL 50th. During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey revealed the writers room that has taken shape ahead of the special. Here's a look at who's helping write one of the biggest nights in comedy history.
Tina Fey
Of course, Tina Fey is involved. She shared the news with Jimmy Fallon during a Tonight Show visit alongside Amy Poehler.
"I can see what's coming together, and it is hilarious because going back to being on the writing staff, I immediately regressed to [being] so grouchy." Fey reflected on the atmosphere in the SNL writing room in the recent documentary, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night Live. Hopefully, things aren't as cutthroat for the special.
Fey was on Saturday Night LIve from 1997 to 2006. She became SNL's first female head writer in 1999.
Seth Meyers
Fey shared that Seth Meyers is also in the 50th anniversary writers' room. Like Fey, he's a former head writer and "Weekend Update" anchor.
It's no surprise that Meyers would be in the room. He worked at SNL from 2001 to 2014, giving him experience with dozens and dozens of cast members. Meyers will know how to write to their strengths while also showcasing his deep appreciation for SNL history.
John Mulaney
Few Saturday Night Live writers have achieved the mainstream success as John Mulaney. One of the all-time greats will make his mark on the 50th anniversary special.
Before he was a prolific stand-up comedian and talk show host, Mulaney wrote at Saturday Night Live from 2008 to 2013. Since then, he's become one of the best hosts of his era thanks in part to delivering his own material. It's good to know the man behind Stefon and "Lobster Diner" will guide SNL through its half-century celebration.
Paula Pell
Paula Pell deserves every bit of recognition she can get for her contributions to Saturday Night Live. It's fitting that she'll be behind the comedy for the upcoming special.
Pell wrote for SNL from 1995 to 2013. She's responsible for iconic sketches like "Debbie Downer" and the Spartan Cheerleaders. SNL legends including Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph have all been set up to shine thanks to Pell.
Emily Spivey
Emily Spivey is an obvious choice to join an all-star writers room, especially one that already features Tina Fey, Paula Pell, and Seth Meyers.
Spivey's SNL tenure ran from 2001 to 2010, starting at the same time as Meyers. One of Spivey's most memorable contributions is the "I'm No Angel" sketch starring a very pregnant Amy Poehler.
SNL50: The Anniversary Special airs Sunday, February 16. It starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock.