Dan Aykroyd Reveals Why He Skipped ‘SNL 50’ Celebration: A Night In With Popcorn
Meta Description: Discover why original Saturday Night Live cast member Dan Aykroyd chose to watch the landmark “SNL50” special from home, and his unwavering support for Lorne Michaels.
Dan Aykroyd, a founding member of Saturday Night Live, recently explained his absence from the highly-anticipated “SNL50” special in February, revealing a desire for a more intimate and nostalgic viewing experience. The three-hour event commemorated 50 years of the iconic NBC sketch comedy show, drawing a star-studded guest list including Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Eddie Murphy, Amy Poehler, and even a rare public appearance by Jack Nicholson, 88.
“I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,” Aykroyd, 73, shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly published on Thursday. The actor and comedian’s decision stemmed from a desire to fully immerse himself in the experience, free from the demands of being a participant.
Aykroyd elaborated, stating, “I knew if I was there, I’d be in a dressing room, I’d be working. I wanted to see it live.” He emphasized his continued appreciation for the show, noting, “I’m a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they’re just great.” Ultimately, he preferred “to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.”
The original Saturday Night Live cast, which premiered in 1975, included Aykroyd alongside comedic legends John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman. While Aykroyd opted to celebrate privately, fellow original cast members Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman were in attendance at the “SNL 50” event. Newman, 73, even participated in a sketch with Pete Davidson, reflecting on her time on the show.
When asked about the most emotionally resonant moment of the special, Aykroyd singled out Newman’s contribution. “Laraine’s piece definitely. That was beautiful. That was wonderful,” he said.
Beyond the celebration of SNL’s past, Aykroyd also addressed ongoing speculation surrounding the future of the show’s longtime producer, Lorne Michaels. In November, he firmly dismissed rumors of Michaels’ impending retirement. “That ain’t happening. No. Lorne is not retiring,” Aykroyd stated emphatically to The Post. “He’s got the greatest gig in New York City. He has influence and power,” adding that Michaels “works in a job that keeps him laughing every day. So why would he want to leave that?”
Michaels has been the driving force behind Saturday Night Live for five decades, since its inception in 1975 with Aykroyd as part of the original lineup. While Michaels previously suggested to Gayle King on “CBS Mornings” in 2021 that he might consider stepping down after the 50th anniversary, Aykroyd remains convinced of his continued commitment.
Aykroyd believes Michaels is irreplaceable. “In theory, there are other people who might be able to helm the show but it’s not Lorne, and he’s not leaving. He loves it. He’s the only one who can do it, really… it’s his life.”
Aykroyd’s own early days on SNL were recently dramatized in the 2024 film Saturday Night, which chronicles the chaotic lead-up to the show’s first broadcast. Dylan O’Brien portrayed Aykroyd in the movie, which the comedian lauded as “like a suspense thriller, and beautifully executed by the cast.” He went on to call it “a masterpiece, honestly,” even suggesting it was worthy of an Academy Award nomination. While the film received a Golden Globe nomination, it did not secure any Oscar nods.
Aykroyd praised the film’s accuracy, stating, “As I was there that night, the depictions of some of the characters were right on,” and that the “tension of whether we were going to make it to air or not is expertly depicted. I liked it a lot.”
