SNL 40 | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

The Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration telecast did wonders for NBC on Sunday (February 15)!

The show’s 40th anniversary episode was the network’s top-rated primetime telecast, besides from post-Super Bowl programs, since the Will & Grace series finale, which aired over eight years ago.

The three-and-a-half hour Sunday special, which garnered 23.1 million viewers, easily beat out the network’s huge showing in 2013 for The Sound of Music Live, starring Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, and Audra McDonald.

If you haven’t seen the episode, check out our full coverage of the show, which included appearances by Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, and many more!

ARE YOU SURPRISED by the number of people watching the Saturday Night Live episode?

Check out a montage of entertainers, who auditioned for Saturday Night Live in the past, which aired at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration held at Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday (February 15) in New York City.

The montage featured auditions from very familiar faces, who ended up being part of the show, such as Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Will Ferrell, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, and Bill Hader. Check out the video below!

From the video, we also learned that Zach Galifianakis, Stephen Colbert, Kevin Hart, and Jim Carrey all auditioned for the show, but were rejected.

Miley Cyrus and her boyfriend Patrick Scharzenegger share a slice of pizza during the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration held at Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday (February 15) in New York City.

“🍕life can’t get any better🍕 #snl40,” the 22-year-old entertainer captioned the pic on Instagram!

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Miley Cyrus

Justin Timberlake, Kerry Washington, Ana Gasteyer, Seth Meyers, David Spade, and Jay Pharoah were some of other celebs, who used social media to give a behind the scenes look on the 40th anniversary episode!

25+ pictures inside of Miley Cyrus, Patrick Scharzenegger, and many more at Saturday Night Live…More Here! »

Leonardo DiCaprio is in good spirits while attending a Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration party on Sunday (February 15) in New York City!

The 40-year-old actor was seen posing with stand up comedian Leslie Jones.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Leonardo DiCaprio

During the party, Leslie also had the chance to pose with Rihanna, Beyonce, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian.

Over the weekend, Leonardo and Rihanna spotted hitting up the same nightclub in the Big Apple.

In case you missed it, check out our full coverage on the NBC special!More Here! »

Jerry Seinfeld rocks a tuxedo while fielding questions from the star-studded audience at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration held at Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday (February 15) in New York City.

The 60-year-old actor answered questions from Michael Douglas, John Goodman, James Franco, Larry David, Tim Meadows, Dakota Johnson, and Sarah Palin.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Jerry Seinfeld

Before Jerry did the Q&A, he took a shot at Brian Williams by saying, “You know there are so many things about Saturday Night Live that people don’t know. Like for example, I just found out that one of the original cast members in 1975 was Brian Williams. I didn’t – I don’t know if that’s true. But I never heard that. It doesn’t sound true. It might not be, it might not be.”

Check out Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney performing “Shake It Off” together during a Saturday Night Live 40 after party in a pic posted on Instagram!

The two entertainers were joined by Jimmy Fallon, Jim Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Taylor Swift

“Bring it #fallon #McCartney #Swift #Akeroyd #belushi #SNL40 Plaza Hotel #nyc 🗽❄️🗽🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶,” co-chairman and co-owner of The Palm Restaurants Bruce Bozzi captioned the pic.

“Taylor was dancing and blowing kisses to the girls from HAIM,” an audience member shared to Us Weekly about the performance. Watch a video from the performance below!

Bigger pic inside…More Here! »

Check out Maya Rudolph channeling Beyonce while standing next to Martin Short at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration held at Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday (February 15) in New York City.

“For forty years, Saturday Night Live has given us so many iconic moments,” the 42-year-old actress said after taking the stage and then performed “Halo” and “Drunk In Love” with different lyrics. Watch the video below!

Martin and Maya then reminisced about SNL‘s big musical acts with the help of Garth & Kat (Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig), Marty & Bobbi Culp (Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer), Opera Man (Adam Sandler), King Tut (Steve Martin), Frank Sinatra (Bill Murray), and The Blues Brothers (Jim Belushi, Dan Aykroyd).