Despite a stacked list of celeb cameos, one of Saturday Night Live‘s original ‘Not Ready for Primetime Players’ opted to skip the show’s 50th anniversary.
After the comedian was notably absent from SNL50: The Anniversary Special, Dan Aykroyd revealed why he missed out on the milestone celebration with his fellow NBC sketch comedy alums in February.
“I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,” he recently explained to Entertainment Weekly.
“I knew if i was there, I’d be in a dressing room, I’d be working. I wanted to see it live,” added Aykroyd. “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. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.”
Aykroyd previously praised Lorne Michaels’ programming as “triumphant” after watching the anniversary special and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert.
“All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th,” wrote Aykroyd on X at the time. “Advantage of not attending – got to see every second of concert and show on TV. Quote from my children: ‘Look at daddy’s smile!’ Had it from start to finish. Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual.”
Aykroyd — who appeared on SNL from its inaugural season in 1975 to 1979 and also originated such characters as the Coneheads and the Festrunk Brothers — was referenced several times during the anniversary weekend.
Sans Aykroyd, the OG SNL cast members took a bow with Michaels during February’s special, which saw 14.8 million viewers across Peacock and NBC.
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