This SNL 50 show has nearly everything—except Bill Hader’slong-awaited return.
For Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special Feb. 16, dozens of SNL cast members from across all seasons—including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Pete Davidson—returned to the Studio 8H stage to reprise some of their most iconic roles. However, there were a few notable omissions. In addition to OG cast member Dan Aykroyd, one beloved cast member missing was Bill, a regular on the sketch comedy show from 2005 to 2013.
But while he didn’t walk the red carpet, it was him missing from Weekend Update as renowned New York City correspondent Stefon that cemented to fans that he wouldn’t make a surprise appearance.
“Watching the snl special,” one fan shared on X, formerly Twitter, “just thought i was gonna see bill hader as Stefon but no it’s just another Sunday.”
Another fan echoed on social media, “Wow, I guess Bill Hader really isn’t going to be on the show.”
Indeed, it has been seven years since Stefon last gave his professional recommendations for the hottest clubs in NYC. Bill previously returned to Lorne Michael’s legendary show in 2018 alongside current Update co-anchor Colin Jost and former SNL writer John Mulaney, with whom Bill collaborated on the character. And while giving his best tips for navigating St. Patrick’s Day in the city, the comedian could not hold in his laughter, breaking character about two minutes into the sketch.
But it does seem that Bill—who is currently dating comedian Ali Wong—has been reminiscing on his time spent in 30 Rockefeller Plaza because he recently reprised a different SNL character for a Volkswagen commercial. In fact, he even reunited with fellow alums Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen to bring back “The Californians,” an iconic trio that parodies a soap opera—but with hilarious over-the-top SoCal accents.
After all, the Barry star made countless memories on the SNL studio floor. And while many sketches went without a hitch, others were a bit rougher around the edges—including a failed sketch that almost injured Justin Bieber.
“‘Song for Daddy’ was Justin Bieber and that sketch only went to dress,” Bill told fellow SNL alum Seth Myerson a 2021 episode of Late Night with Seth Myers, “and everything that could possibly go wrong in a sketch went wrong during that sketch.”
“Immediately I think the set almost fell on Justin Bieber,” he continued, “and I tried to make it like, a part of the sketch or something. And then I remember none of the props I was supposed to have were there. And it went—it just went terrible.”
Though Bill did not make an appearance, keep reading to see all the cast members, hosts and guests that celebrated SNL’s 50th anniversary from 30 Rock.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Kim Kardashian
Miley Cyrus
Pete Davidson
Dakota Johnson
Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky
Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost
Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler
Kenan Thompson
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
Sabrina Carpenter
Meryl Streep
Eddie Murphy
Emma Stone and Dave McCary
Alexander Edwards and Cher
Bad Bunny
Amy Poehler
Tina Fey
Maya Rudolph
Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry Teller
Drew Barrymore
Zahra Rock and Chris Rock
Will Ferrell
Chris Fischer and Amy Schumer
Chris Pine
Kate McKinnon
Sandra Oh
Lauren Miller and Seth Rogen
Nick Jonas
Aidy Bryant
