Why Bill Hader doesn't watch SNL any more as show celebrates 50th anniversary with huge lineup
As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special, three-hour-long extravaganza, fans will have noticed that someone special is missing from its line-up.
SNL has been keeping the US and beyond entertained since it began in 1975.
The hit NBC sketch show is celebrating with a dazzling line-up of SNL hosts and guests new and old - only a few favorites are missing, including Stefon Meyers star Bill Hader.
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The star's eight-year run on the show earned him an impressive four Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
But he's not on SNL tonight (February 16) and previously revealed he had a pretty rough ride on the beloved program.
Why isn't Bill Hader on SNL's 50th anniversary show?
Hader's last SNL episode aired in 2013, but fans were hoping the star would be confirmed for tonight's special show.
However, Hader's publicist, Matt Labov, previously confirmed to UNILAD that the star's absence was due to a 'longstanding schedule conflict'.
Why did Bill Hader quit SNL?
The HBO Barry actor left SNL in 2013 and previously revealed to Variety he was 'consumed with work and anxiety'.
Hader said he didn't feel comfortable with the show's live element until five seasons in - and began suffering panic attacks both on and offstage.
Ultimately, he left SNL after the birth of his and now ex-wife Maggie Carey's second child.
“Once our second child was born, I had to leave SNL,” he said. “It was hard with one kid, let alone two. Because I was just never around.”
Why does Bill Hader no longer watch SNL?
Hader also told the publication at the time he doesn't watch his own SNL sketches back.
“Any time someone says things to me that I don’t understand, I go, ‘Did I say that on SNL?’” he said.
“I never saw any of the stuff I did. I think a nanny showed my kids Stefon, or the Californians or something.
"They came in and were like, ‘Dad, look at this.’ I was like, ‘Oh, yeah. There I am.’”
Who is on SNL tonight?
Sunday's show features a star-studded cast, including Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin and Garrett Morris.
Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Pete Davison, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis and Chris Rock will also make an appearance.
Stars who've previously taken the reigns as hosts of the show will also return, including Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson.
Topics: Saturday Night Live, Entertainment, Film and TV, Hollywood, Celebrity
Ellie Kemp