It’s been a long time since Tina Fey could see Russia from her house.
Which is why the comedian—who during her tenure on Saturday Night Live was both head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor, among many other iconic roles—was so eager to step back into 30 Rockefeller Center for the SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.
“It has been thrilling to be in this building this week,” she told NBC’s Willie Geist and fellow SNL alum Leslie Jones during the special’s red carpet. “Because it’s everyone coming home. It feels like a bunch of siblings and cousins. And it’s watching people who know how to do it, practice and do it. It’s so exciting.”
And while Tina, who made a splash with her return as Sarah Palin in the late aughts, admitted she was privy to the special’s “whole rundown” as a staff writer for the episode, she kept mum on all the surprises and guest appearances in store. (To see all the stars on the red carpet, click here.)
She did, however, reminisce on her very first day, during which she had a meeting with SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
“The first day I had to come to the building, I walked in, and I remember saying to the to the security, ‘I’m here to see Lorne Michaels,’” she said. “And I was like, ‘It’s crazy.’ And I floated out of my body—that I think that was like the main memory I have.”
She continued, “And then you go in the office, and you’re sitting across from him, and the name plate says Lorne Michaels, and you’re just like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
But that fateful meeting shouldn’t have come from a surprise for the 30 Rock star—after all, Saturday Night Live was a part of her life from an early age. Too young to stay up and watch the first season in 1975, Tina’s older brother made sure to act out each episode’s best moments for her after the fact.
“Because I’m born in 1970 I was like five, but my brother’s older than me,” she remembered, “and he would do everything for me in the kitchen.”
The now-54-year-old also revealed which of the many actors and actresses to take on the role of Saturday Night Live cast member over the years has been her favorite.
“My favorite cast member, gosh, of all time is probably Jan Hooks,” Tina revealed of the late star. “Anything Jan Hooks did—she’s one of my favorites for sure.”
For a sneak peek of the many stars in attendance for this epic anniversary special, keep reading.
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
