Star-Studded SNL 50th Anniversary Tarnished by COVID-19

In an unexpected turn of events, the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live has made headlines for reasons other than its star-studded cast. Within a week of the high-profile broadcast, COVID-19 has cast a shadow over the celebrations.

Pandemic's Uninvited Guest: COVID-19 Strikes

Comedic legends Steve Martin and Martin Short, who rejuvenated audiences with their chemistry on the show, are now in the spotlight for different reasons. Martin took to Instagram to confirm that his comedic partner, Short, was inadvertently exposed to the virus, likely through their fellow comedian, Maya Rudolph.

"Maya had COVID. Marty has COVID. Why did this happen? The COVID curse of SNL is real."

Tour Plans Derailed

The virus's intrusion has disrupted more than just a comedic performance. The duo's much-anticipated The Dukes of Funnytown Tour has been postponed. Originally slated to perform in Durham, North Carolina on February 22, the shows have been rescheduled. As Martin humorously assured fans:

"Hope we will be even funnier when we perform."

A Nostalgic Gathering or a Health Risk?

The SNL special, which captivated 14.8 million viewers, proved to be a double-edged sword. Celebrating comedy legends, the event also brought together many artists aged 60 and above under one roof—a decision that Weekend Update host Colin Jost cleverly foreshadowed:

"So we made the smart move and gathered all of our favorite artists over 60 in one small space."

Resilient Return on the Horizon

Despite the setback, the show’s success on NBC and Peacock, along with its 8.7 million social media interactions, remains a testament to its enduring appeal. Fans eagerly await the return of Martin and Short, who are scheduled to resume their tour in Florida come October.

A mix of nostalgia, laughter, and a touch of the pandemic, the SNL anniversary became a memorable event for its performance and the unforeseen hiccup offstage.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova