- NBC will celebrate Saturday Night Live‘s upcoming 50th season with a 3-hour live primetime special on Feb. 16 from 8-11 p.m. E.T.
- Bill Murray (+200), Steve Martin (+500) and Tina Fey (+600) are the favorites to host the anniversary celebration
- Longshots include Adam Sandler (+1200), Eddie Murphy (+1600) and Chevy Chase (+2500)
America’s longest-running late-night sketch show is celebrating a half-century on the air. Which iconic comedian will be given the honor of hosting SNL 50 next February?
Before we look at the odds, here’s where you can check out the top betting sites for Entertainment in 2024 and get the latest Oscars Betting Odds.
To Host 50th Anniversary Special
Bill Murray slight favorite over Steve Martin
Bill Murray (+200) joined Saturday Night Live for its second season following the departure of Chevy Chase (+2500). The American icon returned to host SNL five times, but hasn’t hosted since 1999. In the 40th anniversary special, Murray appeared in a comedic musical melody as Nick The Lounge Singer.
Steve Martin (+500) performed the opening monologue at SNL 40. The 78-year-old living legend has hosted the show 16 times, second only to Alec Baldwin’s 17. He and longtime collaborator Martin Short hosted the highest-rated episode of season 48, and Martin’s enjoyed a career resurgence with Only Murders In The Building.
NBC is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live” with a weekend-long celebration that will culminate with a live primetime special on Sunday, Feb. 16 from 8-11 p.m. https://t.co/WEAUfjyX4O
— Variety (@Variety) May 10, 2024
The women of SNL
Despite welcoming comedian Shane Gilles back to host last February, Saturday Night Live has often been accused of being “too woke”. Tabbing Tina Fey (+600) to host SNL 50, perhaps alongside former co-star Amy Poehler (+1000) or even Kate McKinnon (+1400), wouldn’t only be “woke”, it would be well deserved.
The 30 Rock creator and star was SNL’s first female head writer (1999–2006) and one of the best ‘Weekend Update’ hosts in the show’s 49 years.
Bad bets
John Mulaney (+700) and Will Ferrell (+700) are each in the Five-Timers Club, but the former was never a performer on the show and the latter’s career’s in the toilet. Ten-time host Tom Hanks (+1000) and the 17-time record holder Alec Baldwin (+1000) also seem like longshots to host given their career trajectories.
Andy Samberg (+800) is far more likely to appear in a Lonely Island Digital Short over the course of the three-hour special. Lorne Michaels (+800) is the creator and executive producer of SNL. While the soon-to-be 80-year-old will certainly make a cameo, he won’t be playing master of ceremonies.
Who is your cast member MVP for #SNL Season 49? pic.twitter.com/yEEPgw7pR8
— Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) May 27, 2024
More longshots
Chris Rock (+1000) delivered the opening monologue of SNL’s 25th anniversary special, but his last hosting gig did not go so well thanks to Will Smith.
Eddie Murphy (+1600) made an awkward appearance on SNL 40, walking out on stage and not really doing anything else. While some believe Eddie is the GOAT cast member, he hasn’t told a joke in front of a live audience since 1987.
Best bet
Oddsmakers have pegged this one correctly with Bill Murray, Steve Martin and Tina Fey as the three favorites.
We’ll take Fey at +600 because the six-time host is still squarely in her prime and one of the best writer-performer’s the show’s ever had.
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