Is Steve Martin Likely to Host the SNL 50th Anniversary Special?
Is Steve Martin Likely to Host the SNL 50th Anniversary Special?
Saturday Night Live, often referred to as SNL premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, and is now one of the longest-running network TV programs in the United States.
The show’s topical format is a large part of its success, as it is hosted by a celebrity guest, and its talented ensemble appear in parody sketches about American politics and culture.
As the show will soon enter its 50th year on air, showrunner Lorne Michaels has announced a three-hour SNL 50th Anniversary Special will be broadcast on February 16, 2025, to mark the milestone.
Former cast members are expected to return, and many fans suspect frequent host Steve Martin might slip back into the role. Find out if Steve Martin is likely to host the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
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Steve Martin & SNL
Contrary to popular belief, Steve Martin has never been an official member of the SNL cast.
However, he is one of the show’s most frequent hosts, as he has fronted the show 16 times throughout his long, successful career.
Steve Martin has, however, expressed his gratitude for Saturday Night Live, as he believes his first appearance as host shaped his career.
Before he hosted SNL in 1976, he was a budding comedian, often writing and performing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
However, SNL’s popularity allowed him to display his comedic talents to a large live audience.
When interviewed for the Live From New York! (2015) documentary, Steve Martin said, “The impact was tremendous. Just overnight, it was the hottest show in the country, no doubt, at the hottest moment.”
For this reason, Martin is likely grateful to SNL for helping to propel him to stardom, meaning he might be more than happy to return to host the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
Record Restoration
As mentioned, Steve Martin is one of SNL’s most frequent hosts, fronting the show at least once every decade since the show aired.
His last appearance as host was alongside his Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short on December 10, 2022.
He once held the record for the most times hosting the hit NBC show, but it was broken by Alec Baldwin in 2017.
As of 2024, Steve Martin has hosted the show 16 times and Alec Baldwin 17 times. If Martin was to host the anniversary special, he would share the record with Baldwin and could one day beat it.
A Declined Role in Season 50
During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Steve Martin admitted he had turned down a role in Season 50 of Saturday Night Live.
Lorne Michaels personally invited Steve Martin to return to SNL to play Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Waltz. However, despite their resemblance, Steve Martin declined the offer, as he believed his impressionist skills weren’t up to scratch to portray the politician.
According to Steve Martin, he told the famous showrunner, “Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy. I was picked because I had grey hair and glasses.”
While the offer of playing Tim Waltz wasn’t appealing to the Father of the Bride actor, he clearly is held in high regard by Lorne Michaels and might be tempted to return as host if invited. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement in the near future.