If you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone this year, NBC will offer consolation the day after by giving you some quality time with some of your favorite sketch comedy heavyweights. On Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., NBC will host a three hour-long 40th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
The lineup features several famous comedians to grace the screen of television or film in the past 40 years. Stars such as Bill Murray, Mike Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock and Zach Galifinakis will all be in attendance. NBC is rolling out the red carpet prior to the event accordingly.
It is unclear from the trailers released for the event whether the special will feature replays of favorite skits from the past, or a combination of past skits with new live performances mixed in. Producer Lorne Michaels has the opportunity to take full advantage of the enormous amount of talent on hand and re-create some of the magic of past SNL skits.
Freshmen Hope Joiner and Taylor Adam are also hopeful for some new material. Joiner said she is most excited about the new content.
“I like the old skits but I don’t think I could watch an entire three hours of just re-runs,” Joiner said.
Adam is looking forward to certain actors.
“It would be awesome to see people like Tina Fey and Kristin Wiig in skits with people like Adam Sandler,” Adam said. “I would be disappointed if they didn’t do some new stuff.”
While most hoopla surrounding the event has been mainly speculation, two big announcements have been making waves since the special was announced. A recent promo video released on NBC’s website shows that Eddie Murphy will be joining the reunion, seemingly solving a 30-year feud with SNL. It was recently announced that popular guest Sarah Palin will be featured in the reunion as well.
“I’m looking forward to the reunion, I was a big fan of SNL growing up but I haven’t watched it recently,” graduate student Jackie Lorie said. “This special will hopefully give me a reason to start watching again. I’m a big fan of Tina Fey and Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon so I’m looking forward to see what they will do.”
Regardless of what the three-hour special will feature, it promises to be a spectacle worthy of Hollywood.
For more information or to watch promos about the event, check out www.NBC.com.
