SNL stars join Today show as guest hosts for a week of celebrations
In celebration of Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary, several past and present cast members are joining Today with Jenna & Friends as guest hosts this week.
Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Mikey Day, Cheri Oteri, and Chloe Fineman will each take turns co-hosting alongside Jenna Bush Hager, leading up to the highly anticipated SNL50: The Anniversary Special airing this Sunday.
Hager announced the news last week while hosting with SNL cast member Ego Nwodim, who joined her for a full week on the show. “We’ve had so much fun hanging with an SNL star,” Hager said, referencing Nwodim’s time as a guest host. “You guys are going to be celebrating SNL’s 50th anniversary all next week, so we thought, ‘Let’s invite our pals over.’”
Since Hoda Kotb’s departure from Today in January, Hager has been joined by a rotating lineup of celebrity co-hosts. Previous guest hosts have included Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer, Michelle Buteau, and Scarlett Johansson, who filled in for an entire week. The show also recently welcomed musicians like Kelsea Ballerini, Ciara, and Wynonna Judd.
For this special SNL week, Poehler will co-host on Monday, followed by Gasteyer on Tuesday, Day on Wednesday, Oteri on Thursday, and Fineman on Friday.
The guest appearances are part of NBC’s broader celebration of SNL’s historic milestone. On Friday, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert will take place at Radio City Music Hall, featuring performances from past SNL musical guests, including Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, the Roots, David Byrne, Post Malone, and more.
The main event, however, is the three-hour SNL50: The Anniversary Special airing live on Sunday. Much like the 40th anniversary special in 2015, the event is expected to feature a star-studded lineup of former cast members, hosts, and surprise guests. NBC has already confirmed appearances from Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Dave Chappelle, Kim Kardashian, Steve Martin, Ayo Edebiri, Pedro Pascal, and Adam Driver.
In addition to the live special, two SNL-themed documentaries have premiered on Peacock. SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a four-part series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the show's writing, casting, and performances, featuring interviews with over 60 past and present cast members. Meanwhile, Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music highlights some of the show’s most iconic musical moments.
With a full week of celebrations leading up to the big night, Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary is shaping up to be a television event to remember.
