Fans of Saturday Night Live (SNL) might be wondering if there’s a new episode airing tonight, February 1. The answer is no — but don’t worry, NBC has something special lined up for viewers.
Instead of a fresh episode, the network will air two fan-favorite reruns. Starting at 10 p.m. ET, the season 49 finale will take the spotlight. This memorable episode featured Jake Gyllenhaal as the host and Sabrina Carpenter as the musical guest. Gyllenhaal, hosting for the third time, showcased his comedic chops by playing a hilariously unhinged version of Fred from Scooby-Doo, complete with the iconic ascot. Sabrina Carpenter joined in the fun, transforming into Daphne with an orange wig. Gyllenhaal also surprised audiences with a surprisingly impressive rendition of Boyz II Men’s classic hit, “End of the Road,” during his monologue.
At 11:30 p.m. ET, NBC will re-air the November 9, 2024, episode, which starred comedian Bill Burr as the host and Mk.gee as the musical guest.
What’s Next for SNL?
While there’s no new episode tonight, Saturday Night Live is gearing up for a massive celebration of its 50th anniversary. The iconic sketch comedy show has been pulling out all the stops this season, featuring A-list hosts like Jean Smart, Martin Short, Ariana Grande, Paul Mescal, John Mulaney, and Dave Chappelle. Musical guests have been equally impressive, with performances by Stevie Nicks, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Jelly Roll, and Chappell Roan.
Most recently, Timothée Chalamet made headlines by pulling double duty as both host and musical guest on the January 25 episode.
Mark Your Calendars for the 50th Anniversary Special
The big celebration kicks off on Sunday, February 16, with SNL50: The Anniversary Special. This live three-hour event will air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC, promising a nostalgic look back at the show’s legendary history.
But that’s not all! Fans can dive deeper into the SNL universe with SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, a four-part docuseries streaming now on Peacock. Additionally, a three-hour documentary titled Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music, co-directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, is also available on Peacock. This special highlights the show’s most iconic musical performances over the decades.
For music lovers, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert is a must-watch. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, this three-hour event features live performances by legendary artists like Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Jelly Roll, and Chris Martin. It will stream on Peacock starting February 14.
A Blast from the Past
To cap off the anniversary festivities, NBC will re-air the very first episode of Saturday Night Live on Saturday, February 15, at 10 p.m. ET. Originally broadcast on October 11, 1975, this historic episode featured comedy icon George Carlin as the host, with musical performances by Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
The episode also introduced the original cast, including legends like Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Chevy Chase, who doubled as the first-ever “Weekend Update” anchor. Comedy fans will also remember Andy Kaufman’s unforgettable lip-sync performance of the Mighty Mouse theme song.
