Live from New York, it’s Sunday night.
“Saturday Night Live” is having a 50th anniversary special airing on a rare Sunday night (Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock).
Called “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” the three-hour live telecast from Studio 8H will celebrate the sketch comedy’s show’s half-centennial on the air. It will include appearances from past cast members such as Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Jane Curtin and more.
Longtime “SNL” production designer Keith Raywood, who has been with “SNL” for 40 seasons since 1985, told The Post about his unexpected biggest task for the special.
“We [will] have about 450 people in the studio, which is essentially about 200 people more than we would normally have.”
From left: Tracy Morgan, Fred Armisen, Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Nicki Minaj, Chris Rock, Donald Glover, Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin in Studio 8H on May 19, 2018. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Keith Raywood poses in the press room during the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 14, 2019. WireImage
Chevy Chase, as Land Shark, and Jimmy Fallon during “Weekend Update” on Oct. 6, 2001. NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Jerry Seinfeld during the “Opening Monologue” in Studio 8H on May 19, 2018. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Chris Rock on Feb. 15, 2015 during the “SNL 40th Anniversary Special.” NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesThis number is for the audience, since it will be full of the special guests’ friends and family.
“Imagine all the people who have been on the show – those cast members and hosts. It’s a lot of people [there to see them]. And, those seats don’t normally exist,” he said.
Follow along with The Post’s coverage of ‘SNL’s 50th anniversary
- Inside the ‘SNL’ 50th anniversary special: 200 seats added, sketches and more
- ‘SNL’ 50th anniversary special red carpet: PHOTOS
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds walk red carpet at ‘SNL’ 50th anniversary as Justin Baldoni drama swirls
- Steve Martin opens ‘SNL’ 50th special with hilarious monologue featuring Canadian Martin Short dragged away by ICE
- Aubrey Plaza makes first appearance since husband Jeff Baena’s death at ‘SNL 50’ special
To make matters more complicated, he explained that he couldn’t just add chairs to the floor.
“The show is done on the floor. There are a few seats in front of the home base on the floor, but mostly the floor is left relatively empty for us to do all the sketches,” said Raywood.
So when they added “about 200 additional seats,” he said, they had to aim higher.
“We built down from the balcony. We continued the seating all the way down to the floor…like bleachers.”
John Goodman during the “SNL 40th Anniversary Special.” NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler during “The Chanukah Song” skit on Nov. 16, 2002. NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesRaywood and his fellow “SNL” production designers — Joe Detullio and Akira “Leo” Yoshimura — split the duties between “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” and “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” streaming live from Radio City Music Hall on Peacock Friday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.
“I’ve been focused almost entirely on the Radio City show. And Joe and Leo have been focused more on the studio show, because it made sense to split up a little bit that way. I’m doing a little bit on that show, mostly some set decoration … I’m rehearsing right now here at Radio City. They’re currently rehearsing over in 8H across the street.”
He quipped: “I can’t be in both places at the same time.”
Laraine Newman, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin and Ralph Nader during the ‘Youth Asks The Questions’ skit on Jan. 15, 1977. NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesHe teased that “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” will involve, “lots of new and older cast members doing lots of sketches.”
Raywood said he couldn’t reveal the contents of the sketches, or what throwback characters might appear on the show again — such as Adam Sandler’s Opera Man — but he said, “There will be music on Sunday as well, but not as much [as in ‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,’] like maybe three or four musical acts.”
“We’re doing sketches and musical numbers, and there will be packages which show the history of the show,” he told The Post. “It’s a celebration of 50 years of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ particularly the comedy. Whereas the Friday show is more a celebration of the music.”






