While SNL50: The Anniversary Special was not a regular episode, it ended the way every Saturday Night Live show for the last 50 years has, with a curtain call. This time, it was supersized, with the stage of Studio 8H packed by representatives of five decades of SNL casts, hosts and musical guests.
Former cast member and five-time host Martin Short took on emcee duties, acknowledging original cast members Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman on stage, with Curtin and Newman holding up a photo of their late colleague Gilda Radner.
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“They paved the way,” Martin said of the group, with fellow OG Dan Aykroyd noticeably missing from the festivities. (Fans also took to social media to react to more recent cast member Bill Hader — and his hugely popular character Stefon — being MIA from the special.)
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“And finally, the reason we are all here, the man who made our dreams come true, the one and only… Lorne Michaels,” Short said, pointing to Michaels who also stood on stage.
It was a rare front-and-center appearance for the Saturday Night Live creator and executive producer who, in his typical fashion, did not speak. As the credits started rolling, Michaels was seen chatting with and hugging cast members of different generations, former hosts and musical guests.
Watch the video above.