SNL: Iconic cast member doesn't want a 50th reunion invite
By Matt Moore
Saturday Night Live is ready to celebrate its 50th season on the air. But one iconic cast member has put the word out to Lorne Michaels that he doesn't want an invitation to the party.
Saturday Night Live plans to culminate the celebration with a three-hour long primetime special on NBC set for Sunday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET. If it's anything like the 40th anniversary, there should be a parade of former cast members, celebrity guests, and more surprises.
The inagural Saturday Night Live cast is also likely to get special recognition. But don't expect to see Dan Aykroyd back in Studio 8H for the festivities.
"I want to relieve Lorne [Michaels] formally right now of inviting me because if I go to that thing, there’s going to be 15 people that are going to want to come with me," Aykroyd told Rolling Stone. "And there’s not enough chairs, not enough tickets."
Instead, the former cast member would prefer to have a more intimate celebration with his former Saturday Night Live boss. " I say, 'Lorne, we’ll have a steak together at Wally’s instead,' and then I just spare him the angst. Because think of the hundreds of people that are going to be there. Everybody’s going to want five or 10 people to come with them. It’ll be ridiculous."
Aykroyd's not wrong to assume that the SNL 50th anniversary special will be a hot ticket in New York City. Everyone from Taylor Swift to Larry David appeared at the last major celebration a decade ago.
But it's impossible to picture a Saturday Night Live honor without one of the most iconic cast members in the show's history. Aykroyd was one of the original "Not Ready for Primetime" players that also included Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner.
Dan Aykroyd will get his turn in the spotlight in the Saturday Night Live movie
Even if Dany Aykroyd doesn't show up for the SNL 50th party, his tenure on the show will re-enter pop culture thanks to Saturday Night. The upcoming movie depicts the leadup to the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.
Dylan O'Brien will play Aykroyd in the film directed by Jason Reitman. The former SNL cast member famously worked with Reitman's father, Ivan, who directed the original Ghostbusters movie.
Saturday Night hits theaters on October 11, 2024. Aykroyd's latest project is the Audible original Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, in which he recounts the history of the Blues Brothers characters.