What happened during SNL50? Three hours of slapdash sketch comedy and celebrity cameos, such as Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Paul Simon and Meryl Streep.

The performance is being described as one of Saturday Night Live 's best ever. Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald were two iconic Saturday Night Live comedians, both leaving lasting legacies on the show and in the world of comedy.

Aykroyd did not provide a reason for missing the event. He was the sole living member of the original “SNL” cast who didn’t attend the anniversary show, which aired live on NBC and Peacock on Sunday, Feb. 16.

Susan Morrison's biography of the late-night comedy producer is also the history of a pop culture institution, now marking its 50th year.

Here are some of the cast members who did not attend the 50th-anniversary special: Bill Hader was most notably not present at the anniversary, citing a scheduling conflict. Despite not being at the anniversary show, Hader recently reunited with his SNL castmates, Kristin Wiig and Fred Armisen, for a Volkswagen commercial.

Characters like "Debbie Downer" and "Drunk Uncle" were brought back for the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary episode on Feb. 16.

Live" celebrated its 50th anniversary with a live special on Sunday, drawing a huge crowd of famous actors, musicians, and comedians.

The all-star format had characters from different generations of “SNL” (plus one star who'd never been on before) join in classic sketches, songs, jokes and nostalgia.