The episode built him a monumental pedestal. He reprised several famous characters, including the inner-city children’s host Mr. Robinson and an adult version of the “Our Gang” urchin Buckwheat, opposite Mary Gross as the squeaky-haired and deranged Alfalfa.

In a feast of special programming, NBC is celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.

Relive some of the classic and funniest musical performers by Saturday Night Live cast members at the Just For Laughs Festival througout the years. 00:02 – Tina Fey – Just For Laughs 2003 01:59 – Martin Short – Just For Laughs 2009 02:56 – Jim Belushi – Just For Laughs 2005 04:05 – Sarah Silverman

Live” celebrates 50 years of being on air, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY will preserve a collection of the show’s creative papers from the first five years of its history. Original “SNL” cast member Laraine Newman and original writer Alan Zweibel will guest curate the collection of the original writers’ room documents.

The episode starred the original "Saturday Night Live" cast members — Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman and Chevy Chase, who did double-duty as the show's first "Weekend Update" anchor.

The 50th anniversary celebration of “Saturday Night Live” is so big, it's not even on Saturday. Airing Sunday and spanning three hours, the, yes, live “SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration” will assemble a dream team of stars who have helped the show become an enduring

But on February 16th “Saturday Night Live” ( SNL) will celebrate its 50th birthday on air, 979 episodes after its launch. A slew of tributes is also filling the airwaves. A new film, “Saturday Night”,

Live" celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend, it's likely many viewers won't tune into NBC's "SNL50" special at all, instead discovering clips via YouTu