At a Glance
- Chevy Chase says he was left out of SNL’s 50th birthday special.
- He claims the omission was a mistake and hurt him.
- His story will be revealed in a new News Of Los Angeles documentary debuting Jan. 1, 2026.
Why it matters: Fans and SNL insiders learn why a founding star was omitted from a landmark celebration.
Chevy Chase, the 82-year-old comedian who helped launch NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 1975, has just spoken out about being left off the show’s televised 50th-anniversary event. In a forthcoming News Of Los Angeles Films documentary, he explains the disappointment and the mystery behind the decision.
The Omission at the 50th Birthday Bash
During the live three-hour broadcast on Feb. 16, original cast members Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman appeared on stage, but Chase was noticeably absent. He says he had expected to be invited like the other veterans.
- Garrett Morris
- Laraine Newman
- Bill Murray
Confronting the Decision
Chase later texted SNL creator Lorne Michaels about the oversight, but later retracted the message, saying it was a mistake. He claims someone made an error and that it hurt him.
Chevy Chase:
> “I did bring it up once in a text to Lorne and then took it back… It was not that silly. Somebody’s made a bad mistake there. I don’t know who it was, but somebody made a mistake. They should’ve had me on that stage. It hurt.”
Family Reaction
Chase’s wife, Jayni, also expressed frustration in the documentary. She says they were told there would be two bits for him, but the segment disappeared.
Jayni Chase:
> “They told Chevy up until that day that there were two bits (and) they were going back and forth, and then all of a sudden, there’s no bit.”
Documentary Release
The film, titled I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, premieres on Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on News Of Los Angeles. It promises to reveal more about the behind-the-scenes decision.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| SNL 50th Birthday Special | Feb. 16, 2024 |
| Documentary Premiere | Jan. 1, 2026 |
Key Takeaways
- Chevy Chase was omitted from SNL’s 50th birthday special.
- He confronted the decision with Lorne Michaels but later retracted the message.
- The story will be revealed in a News Of Los Angeles documentary debuting Jan. 1, 2026.
The documentary offers a rare glimpse into why a founding star was left off a historic celebration, shedding light on the complexities of live television production.
