Chevy Chase says he was “hurt” enough by his exclusion from Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special to raise the issue directly with Lorne Michaels—a moment he recounts in a new CNN documentary.
The inaugural SNL cast member did not appear in any sketches during SNL50, despite his foundational role on the show and his creation of “Weekend Update.” In the documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, due out New Year’s Day, Chase describes being caught off guard by the omission and struggling to understand why he was left out.
The film also features a new interview with Michaels, who confirms that Chase’s participation was discussed internally but ultimately did not come together.
According to Chase’s inner circle, the former SNL star had been led to believe in the lead-up to SNL50 that there would be a place for him in the show. “They told Chevy up until that day that there were two bits [and] they were going back and forth,” recalls his wife, Jayni Chase. “And then all of a sudden, there’s no bit.”
“It was kind of upsetting, actually,” Chase says in the documentary. “And this will probably be the first time I’m saying it.”
“I expected that I would have been on that stage too, with all the other actors. When Garrett [Morris] and Laraine [Newman] went on the stage there, I was curious as to why I didn’t. No one asked me to. Why was I left aside?”
Morris appeared at home base to introduce the 1978 Tom Schiller short “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” while Newman starred in the Pete Davidson short “Chad in 8H.” SNL50 did make several mentions of Chase, including one during “Weekend Update”—the segment that Chase originated. When Bill Murray appeared at the desk to present a ranking of the segment’s all-time best anchors, Chase was among those listed—though not in the top spot.
“Weekend Update simply would not exist without him,” Murray said. “So it would be wrong to have him listed anywhere but number four.”
“Why was Bill Murray there? Why was I not?” Chase reflects on that moment. “I don’t have an answer for that.”
But according to Michaels, the exclusion was nothing personal. Interviewed from his office for the CNN doc, Michaels confirms there were several potential ideas with Chase in the works. “There were a couple versions of Update, and we went back and forth on that,” Michaels says. But then the SNL creator goes on to reveal another factor in cutting out Chase.
“There was also a caution from somebody that I don’t want to name,” he reveals, “that Chevy, you know, wasn’t as focused.”
While Michaels offers no further explanation in the film, Chase reveals that he confronted Michaels himself for an answer.
“I did bring it up once in a text to Lorne, and then took it back,” Chase says. “I said, ‘OK, I take it back. It’s silly.’”
“But it’s not that silly,” Chase adds, still sitting with the sting of his absence. “Somebody made a bad mistake there. I don’t know who it was, but somebody made a mistake. They should have had me on that stage. It hurt.”
Former SNL writer Alan Zweibel defends the idea that Chase should have been included. “You’ve got to think about the people who grew up watching that show and watching him,” he notes. “It was a bit of a slap in the face.”
Martin Short, though, notes that the show’s time constraints left more people than just Chase to be hung out to dry. “There’s 50 years of casts,” he points out. “Billy Crystal—no bigger star than Billy—he didn’t say a word that night. It’s just too many people to fill.”
Even so, Chase’s daughter Caley suggests that a proper nod for Chase could have taken less than a few seconds. “He should have opened the show with ‘It’s Saturday Night!’” she offered, referencing how Chase delivered the show’s iconic opening line each week during the first season. “They didn’t even need to use him more. But come on, guys! That was it.” (Those honors went to Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon.)
Chase’s absence, according to his family, flies in the face of his own feelings about the show that made him. “He’s very proud of his days at SNL,” says daughter Cydney Chase. “[He] just speaks so highly of the people that he was working with. Loves Lorne dearly, he really does.”
Zweibel, for one, attempted to show his appreciation to Chase during the SNL50 festivities. As SNL alums reunited, he saw Chase “looking like he was looking for his place.”
“Chevy, none of this would be happening without you,” he recalls telling Chase. “You don’t do Weekend Update to start this… all of us are somewhere else tonight.”
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not premieres Thursday, January 1 at 8 PM ET/PT on CNN.
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It is probably how Chevy has aged and no one would recognize him. The same reason there wasn’t a “Fletch III”. Very sad indeed..
I would not be surprised if Chase’s cruel and cringeworthy behavior on “Community” and in public events and interviews over the years gave Lorne Michaels and the other SNL producers some concerns about dealing with him. That being said, the SNL 50th was a head-scratcher- did we really need to see Fred Armisen, Keenan Thompson, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and even Sabrina Carpenter MULTIPLE times throughout the show? It’s not like there was not a vast number of past cast numbers available who could have had a part.
Maybe some of the cast member weren’t on board with it. What about Dan Akroyd? I waited the entire show until they finally acknowledged him. I guess there was a lot to cover. They need to do a Part II. Why not. It is SNL. They can do whatever they want. It would be fun. I’m
Accusations against Bill Murray were more egregious.
But all is forgiven because the sexist gag of Billy Murray watching “Road House” on TV, and then trying to call Kelly Lynch’s house whenever Murray sees Lynch’s steamy scene with Patrick Swayze in the movie is hilarious.
It’s gotta be a generational thing. I liked Chase in Community and was surprised that he was so well preserved. Not recognize him? Us old guys would. I think that the fact that the show was targeted to a younger demographic was really obvious. That being said, I found it dull. I had looked forward to some of the energy it began with. Oh well.
Yes I thought the same thing myself
I was shocked too, disgraceful!!!
Boo freakin’ hoo. Both Chase and Michaels are “bloated fatheads” according to Peter Lorre
Maybe so. Never spoke to them so I can’t make that judgement call, but those of us who watched the show back then were watching because the cast back then made it a great one. Sure can’t say that about it anymore. Put the personal feelings aside and recognize the people who made the show popular in the FIRST place.
Who is Peter Lorre?
One of the funniest men in the industry. I love his facial expressions.
Chevy always portrayed President Ford falling.
maybe if he wasn’t so nasty he would have been there
He does have a reputation for being a bit of an … but in all fairness, he had that reputation from the start.
That is a slap in the face!!! I remember when SNL first came on…the original cast should have been the very first to be asked to be there!!! They made the show and quiet frankly…it has never been as good!!!
lol great way to put it seeing as his ban is for slapping cheri o teri in the face. Will Ferrell reported it look it up
Oh, speaking of slapping, remember when Chevy got banned from SNL because he slapped Cheri Oteri in the back of the head? Maybe if Mr. Chase was less slap-happy himself, he would be more welcome on sets. Instead, just about everyone who has worked with him has something bad to say about him
I agree! Chevy Chase was as important as every other performer on SNL!
huge screw up. can only be remedied with Chevy chase tribute special. Just so much material to draw upon!
It’s been known for awhile just how arrogant he has always been. How hard it has been for people to work with such a blow hard. He needs to realize he is not the only one that makes up years of SNL. That he needs to get along and be a team player. No one wants to work with ANYONE that makes it difficult for everyone around him. People like Chevy who would come in and be demanding is a hassle for everyone around him. I used to love him as a comedian, but hearing about his unruly arrogant behaviour makes me not even care if I ever see him again. Even to the point of not watching ANYTHING including his Documentary, which in fact is named appropriately for someone who thinks so highly of himself! Rudeness should NEVER BE REWARDED! Before the internet no one knew about actors or comedians who were a pain to work with because of their ridiculous demands. My god it’s a job like anywhere else. Just do it and stop acting like you deserve more! Chevy, you have to stop patting yourself on the back, as well as people in power have to stop thinking you deserve more. If you did things to show you can be a team player…but no one wants to be around you until you stop thinking your the greatest, because your not! Also, remember, Mr. SNL has a job to do and he can’t be stroking all of you fools with gigantic egos that think your deserving. That’s just a job in itself. Remember he never had Carol Burnet on his show, one of the BEST comedians of all time, so I question his judgement at times, but it’s HIS SHOW!
I always enjoyed Chevy Chase’s performance He was great!
I am stunned to learn that Chevy was not included even for a minute! He was an SNL staple as far as I am concerned. He was there when SNL was great!!! It is good now, but it is nowhere close to those days with Chevy. I was a teen when I watched that show every Saturday. That show had a HUGE tv audience back then. Chevy, I would be hurt, too! You made people laugh there and in a million other shows and movies. But I can still hear YOUR voice when I think of “ It’s Saturday Night Live!”
Geez, not everyone made the cut. A phone call to Lorne Michaels should have been enough. With all the trauma going on in this country right now, he could have taken this platform to support a good cause. The ego truly is not our friend.
we love Chevy Chase and he is special. His absence doesn’t make any sense to me. Noone of that era in comedy was funnier than Chevy.
well i’ll tell ya SNL isn’t very funny any more to be honest they’re wearing the laugh machine out!!! hate to say this but the people who writes it must’ve gotten old and tired i don’t think this is just MY opinion i’ve heard others talking about it the comedians they have i’m sorry just are NOT funny
more like stupid skits ! get natural funny comedians like chase,conway,murffee burnett make people laugh to tears again my god it’s not funny any more at all!
I read several articles about the fact that a lot of people who worked with Chevy Chase can’t stand him. Maybe that had something to do with him being left out.
Lorne, your omission of Chevy Chase was stupid and says more about you and the pathetic state of your brain than it does of Chevy’s role in SNL.
These famous people are full of themselves. Get over it. It’s not like you weren’t invited to your daughter‘s wedding or something important like that. SNL is the bottom of my list anyway who cares not me and not a lot of other people I do like you Chevy Chase. Your contribution to Christmas vacation is memorable and that’s what you should care about so forget about the other crap.
The reason they were on the show and you weren’t is because “you’re Chase and they aren’t.” Also because your head is so large that it couldn’t get through the doorway.
Mr Chase don’t believe their lies. You deserved to be there. If they wanted you there, they would have included you. No BS, no excuses
hes banned for slapping cheri o Teri. thats why he wasnt invited. I appreciate his work but hes not a good dude. the fact that he doesn’t have a clue as to why he wasnt invited let’s you know hitting a woman in the face isn’t a big deal to him
Chevy is a Trump supporter
Enough said
He is? According to wikipedia he supported Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.
Who cares!!!
Say it ain’t so!
If Chevy Chase is a Trump supporter I am glad he wasn’t invited. Lorne Michaels never mentioned Don Pardo in the 40th anniversary. And Don worked all the way up to age 94. And finally he smoothed over the feud between Eddie Murphy and himself clearly on display at the 40th. I never liked Chevy Chase or bill murray.
It really sucks in Hollywood when nobody cares except a few fucking Democrats make all the decisions that’s it. That’s it screw them all
Thanks for bringing the matter to my attention. It’s a shame for leaving him out.
He’s not funny any more. Just grouchy
Quite wining there are so many great people and not all of them were on.
I have watched SNL from the gate. Everyone was super etc. You were top tier out of the gate. please don’t feel bad..
I have never been fond of Chevy Chase. Found him arrogant and obtuse in public. Stars must be wary of this . YOU made the choice to be in the public eye! However, he was a part of SNL, he should have been included, even though he is obnoxious.
By all accounts, he’s an entitled jerk. Could that be why he wasn’t invited?
he wasnt there because hes banned for slapping cheri oteri in the face. cmon for real. hes such a butt they won’t even play the roast of Chevy chase anymore because it was too mean. I appreciate his art but hes a jerk and hes ommison was warranted
So sad that he was not invited or written out based on time. He should have AT LEAST opened the show. That’s a black mark on SNL planning!
Your a bunch of,……Goofballs!!!
Lorne Michaels is an egotistical dooshbag!
Was Dana Carrey on SNL 50?
Dana Carvey
Just one more reason to not watch SNL again! Chevy WAS THE SHOW in the early days!!!
Chase’s daughter was spot on ! They could have devoted a minute to an original cast member that many of us know set the margin for future casts. It was a calculated act on propose to box him out.
They’re both over the hill douchenozzles!
the reason you were excluded was probably because i’m chevy chase and you not…..
Never liked Chevy. Maybe others feel the same way.
Yes, Chevy Chase should have been on SNL’s 50th. Definitely a slap in the face, he should have been be upset and hurt! Personally I was waiting to see him. He was a big part of the early years.
I love Chevy, not only on SNL but several movies. Fletch, Funny Farm, Caddyshack. I’ve read that he is difficult to work with.
I noticed in the “Saturday Night” film that Chevy Chase basically saved the day by placating the affiliates and jumping in at (literally) the last minute to transform “Weekend Update”…SNL was basically the “Chevy Chase Show” that first season much to Belushi’s chagrin. According to the film SNL might have never made it except for Chevy’s imput…His omission is both petty and despicable.
Absolutely no excuse period of leaving CC out of this 50th Anniversary. He was one of the original PTP🌑Conflict, etc is involved in all area of life, but it would have spoke volumes if the original cast refused to be apart of this w/o EVERY LIVING CAST MEMBER PRESENT 🤔
Shameful on Michael’s part🤨
Big faux pax! Really…Carpenter? Wasn’t even born when SNL launched. I think it was Michael that wasn’t “focused”, not Chase!
50 YEARS OF SNL! First 5 years unreal, next 5 years tolerable, next 5, two great comedians, why would Chevy Chase want to be remembered with 30 years of losers?
Chevy you are the gretest ! !! Tell Lorne that I said you should host the show with musical group Crack The Sky. Thanks for making me laugh no matter what you did. sincerly ,HAWKEYE
Chevy Chase earned the Honor of being part of SNL50. His contributions to the original start of SNL were a big part of the show’s success. Why have an anniversary without original stars who made that show successful. I am a big fan from the very beginning. I thank you for the opportunity to give my comments.😊
Could it be that he was reportedly such an a**hole and alienated so many people on the SNL staff that no one wanted to work with him? He’s well known for his inability to work with others.
That first year, the show may have made Chevy but the truth is, for those of us who watched from the beginning, Chevy made the show. Truly when he did not return, many of us had to adjust as initially it was just not as funny.
Full disclosure: He’s a tremendous pain in the ass and nobody wanted to deal with him.
Chevy Chase, should be a vital part of SNL’s 50th. It’s a disappointing chose not to make use of one of their icons at SNL. The show has gone so far left that I have really forgotten about any reason to watch it. At one point the show was excellent and funny as Hell. When President Trump won again and the country made a powerful statement on why the country was and is better off with someone they wanted and not what the Actors or the media try to ring. In the past other great actors have said stay out of politics and telling the public who they should vote for is a personal matter and as a actor it needs to be respected and as actors we do not make the choices for anyone of our TV viewers. I ta Ok to poke fun at the previous President and or Presidents, but be responsible and do not try to make the public think that we as actors are always right!
Chevy Chase is a good actor and he should of been included in the show’s special!
If I was Lorne I’d tell Chevy he was left out because his giant nose disgusts ppl. Chevy slapped Cherri Orerri over a joke about his nose. He’s the original Wil Smith.