NBC’s legendary late-night sketch show, Saturday Night Live (SNL), is gearing up for its 50th-anniversary celebration, and the event promises to be a star-studded affair. 

Set to air on Sunday, SNL 50: The Anniversary Special will feature a mix of past and present cast members, celebrity guests, and one particularly infamous former star—Chevy Chase.

Chase, an original SNL cast member, was a key figure in the show’s first season but made headlines when he abruptly left after just one year. 

Now, nearly five decades later, he’s returning to help celebrate the show he once walked away from.

Chevy Chase Returns to Promote SNL’s Milestone Celebration

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Chase would be part of SNL 50: The Anniversary Special. 

While his history with the show has been tumultuous, Chase has been actively participating in the event’s promotion, including a sit-down interview with Morning Joe’s Willie Geist.

During the interview, Chase reminisced about his time on SNL and didn’t shy away from sharing his opinions. He praised Dana Carvey as his favorite cast member (aside from himself, of course) and once again criticized Jason Reitman’s upcoming film, Saturday Night, which dramatizes the early years of SNL.

According to Chase, the film doesn’t accurately capture the experience of working on the show. “It wasn’t anything like that,” he said. “Lorne and I knew exactly what we were going to do. Particularly Lorne. We were prepared and ready.”

Why Did Chevy Chase Leave SNL After Just One Season?

No discussion about Chase and SNL would be complete without revisiting his infamous departure. Though he had previously hinted at regretting the decision, Chase recently revealed that his primary reason for leaving wasn’t just the allure of Hollywood—it was love.

“I left because I was stricken with a girl from L.A. that I met, and in fact married, but for only a couple of years,” Chase told Geist.

That “girl” was Jacqueline Carlin, his first wife. The two were married from 1976 to 1980, and while the relationship didn’t last, Chase’s departure from SNL changed the course of his career.

A Case of Immediate Regret

While Chase left to pursue a new chapter in Los Angeles, he admitted that he regretted the decision almost immediately.

“It was strange because I missed it right away. And I still miss it,” he confessed. “I loved that show, I loved being with Lorne and the cast—quite a funny cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Garrett Morris, Gilda (Radner), Laraine (Newman), and Jane (Curtin). That was a great group of people. So I missed them too.”

Despite his nostalgia, Chase’s post-SNL years were anything but smooth when it came to his former castmates. His departure led to lingering tensions, and when he returned to host in the show’s third season, things quickly turned ugly.

Chevy Chase’s Rocky Relationship with SNL

While Chase now speaks fondly of his time on SNL, his history with the show and its cast hasn’t always been positive.

After leaving, he often criticized SNL in interviews. Then, when he returned to host in 1978, his interactions with the cast weren’t exactly warm. Most infamously, he got into a backstage fight with Bill Murray, a moment that became one of the show’s most notorious behind-the-scenes incidents.

Additionally, Chase ruffled feathers by insisting that he should be allowed to resume his former role as the anchor of Weekend Update. The problem? The segment was already being hosted by Jane Curtin. His justification for pushing her out? He reportedly claimed he “found women unfunny.”

Will Chase’s Return Stir Up Old Tensions?

Despite his history with SNL, Chase remains a major figure in the show’s early success. His return for the 50th-anniversary celebration is bound to bring a mix of nostalgia and curiosity about whether old tensions will resurface.

While Chase has expressed his personal regret about leaving SNL, it’s less clear whether his former co-stars share the same sentiment. Given his history of clashes with cast members and controversial remarks over the years, his return is sure to be one of the more talked-about aspects of the anniversary special.

SNL 50: A Celebration of Comedy History

Beyond Chase’s return, SNL 50 is set to be a massive event, featuring an all-star lineup of former cast members and celebrity guests. Fans can expect to see legendary figures such as Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, and Kristen Wiig, along with a host of famous guest hosts, including Adam Driver, Miley Cyrus, Dave Chappelle, and Paul McCartney.

As NBC’s longest-running sketch comedy show celebrates its half-century legacy, SNL 50 will bring together generations of comedians, paying tribute to the show’s impact on entertainment and pop culture. And with Chevy Chase back in the mix, it will surely be a night to remember.

The three-hour special airs Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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