The Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary special was a night filled with laughter, nostalgia, and iconic reunions.
Comedy legends like Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Bill Murray joined forces with the show’s newer stars,
including Marcello Hernández and Sarah Sherman, for an unforgettable tribute to the legendary sketch comedy series.
However, in the days following the event, reports emerged that several attendees had fallen ill, including The View’s Whoopi Goldberg and longtime SNL cast member Martin Short.
The situation took an ironic turn when many fans recalled a joke Colin Jost made during Weekend Update, seemingly predicting the wave of sickness that followed.
Steve Martin Confirms Martin Short Tested Positive for COVID
News of the post-SNL50 illnesses began circulating when comedy icon Steve Martin took to Instagram to announce that his longtime friend and comedy partner, Martin Short, had tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the duo had to postpone their scheduled live shows in Durham and Knoxville.
Martin shared the news with a bit of humor, posting a picture of Short and fellow SNL alum Maya Rudolph sharing a friendly kiss on the event’s red carpet. Along with the image, he jokingly wrote:
“Maya came down with COVID, (she did NOT come to the show with it!) Marty came down with it. The SNL 50th COVID curse is real. Unfortunately, we have to reschedule this weekend’s sold-out Durham and Knoxville dates to 10/17 Knoxville and 10/18 Durham. So sorry for the inconvenience. I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”
Martin’s lighthearted approach to the situation didn’t go unnoticed, but his post also confirmed that Rudolph had also tested positive after the celebration.
Whoopi Goldberg Also Falls Ill After Attending SNL 50
While Martin Short and Maya Rudolph were confirmed to have COVID-19, another attendee of the SNL50 special, Whoopi Goldberg, also came down with an illness shortly after the event. However, unlike Short and Rudolph, Goldberg was diagnosed with the flu rather than COVID.
Goldberg, who attended the anniversary festivities at Studio 8H, was noticeably absent from The View for two days, with reports confirming she was under the weather. Though there was no official link between her flu diagnosis and the event, the timing raised speculation about illnesses circulating among attendees.
Colin Jost’s Weekend Update Joke Seemingly Predicted the Outbreak
As reports of illnesses spread, many fans couldn’t help but remember a joke Colin Jost made during the SNL50 Weekend Update segment. Jost, who has anchored the segment since 2014, referenced the surge of respiratory illnesses in New York City this winter—including COVID-19, the flu, RSV, and norovirus—which he humorously dubbed a “quad-demic.”
During his monologue, Jost quipped:
“Health experts are facing increased pressure this winter in the face of outbreaks of COVID, the flu, RSV, and norovirus, which they’re calling a quad-demic. So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space.”
The joke drew laughs during the live broadcast, but now, in hindsight, it feels eerily accurate. With several high-profile attendees falling ill, Jost’s remark seems less like a comedic exaggeration and more like an accidental prediction.
A Packed Venue and a Cold New York Winter May Have Contributed
It’s no surprise that an event as massive as SNL50—which gathered a mix of longtime cast members, current stars, and celebrity guests—could have led to the spread of illnesses. The historic Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza is already known for its intimate setting, and with so many people in close quarters, the possibility of transmission was high.
Additionally, the SNL homecoming concert, which took place just days before the main event, brought even more celebrities and fans together in a similarly packed environment. Combined with the frigid New York winter, these factors may have contributed to the flu and COVID-19 cases that surfaced after the event.
Looking Ahead: Wishing a Speedy Recovery for the Affected Stars
While the post-SNL50 illnesses have raised some eyebrows, fans are hoping for the swift recovery of Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Whoopi Goldberg, and anyone else who may have been affected. Thankfully, none of the reported cases seem to be severe, and all involved are expected to bounce back soon.
For those who missed the SNL50 special or want to relive the historic night, the full broadcast is available to stream on Peacock. Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live continues its milestone season and will return to NBC on March 1st at 11:30 p.m. ET with more exciting hosts and musical guests.
Here’s hoping that everyone affected gets well soon and that the laughter continues—just without the unexpected post-show flu and COVID outbreaks next time!
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