Director: Tina Fey, John Mulaney, Paula Pell
Cast: Paul Simon, Sabrina Carpenter, Brittany Howard, Lil' Wayne, The Roots
SNL50: The Anniversary Special is a 2025 American comedy television event celebrating fifty years of Saturday Night Live, one of the longest-running and most culturally influential sketch comedy programs in broadcasting history. Hosted by Tina Fey, John Mulaney, and Paula Pell, the special reunites decades of beloved performers alongside the current cast for a landmark milestone.
What is SNL50: The Anniversary Special about?
For five decades, Saturday Night Live has served as the beating heart of American late-night comedy, launching careers, shaping political satire, and turning its Studio 8H stage into a national stage. This anniversary special brings together an extraordinary assembly of returning alumni and current cast members to mark fifty years since the show's 1975 debut. Musical legends perform alongside comedians spanning generations, mixing live sketches with retrospective moments that honor the show's irreverent spirit. The evening moves through the program's history without sentimentality — it is a working show, funny in real time, and driven by the chemistry of people who have spent their professional lives perfecting the art of live comedy. New voices share the stage with veterans who first appeared before many viewers were born, creating a genuine sense of occasion.
Cast & crew
The special is presided over by Tina Fey, John Mulaney, and Paula Pell — three writers and performers deeply embedded in SNL's legacy. The guest roster spans genres and generations: Paul Simon and Brittany Howard deliver musical performances, Sabrina Carpenter and Lil' Wayne represent contemporary music, The Roots provide live backing, while Ben Affleck, Fred Armisen, and Alec Baldwin appear among the returning alumni contingent.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking viewers in the diaspora, SNL occupies a unique place as a window into American political and cultural life. Generations of Iranians who built their lives in the United States have grown up watching the show's satirical takes on presidents, celebrities, and everyday American absurdity — often as a way to understand the country they now call home. The fiftieth anniversary special is less a nostalgic look back than a live demonstration of why the show endured. It is available on K-Time with a Persian dub and Persian subtitles, making it fully accessible whether you prefer to watch in Farsi or follow along in the original English.
Where & how to watch
SNL50: The Anniversary Special is available on K-Time with both Persian dub and Persian subtitles. Watch on your browser, smart TV, or phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Start or cancel your subscription anytime.