This special generated 23.1 million viewers, becoming NBC's most-watched prime-time, non-sports, entertainment telecast (excluding Super Bowl lead-outs) since the Friends series finale in 2004.

[7] The special followed the format of a typical Saturday Night Live episode, extended to 3½ hours instead of the usual 1½, and included a cold open, a monologue, sketches, a short film, commercial parodies, and musical performances.

Unlike a regular episode, all performers were credited as repertory:[14][15] Also in attendance included numerous actors, musicians, comedians, media figures, politicians, and celebrities such as:[16][17][18][19][20] Of those former hosts, musical guests, former cast members and writers invited, the people who sent back an RSVP were then considered to be written for.

[23] Writer Jim Downey conceived the idea of Nick the Lounge Singer singing the theme to Jaws way back in the 1970s, but was never able to pull it off during Bill Murray's tenure on SNL.

[29][30] The special drew 23.1 million viewers, becoming NBC's most-watched prime-time, non-sports, entertainment telecast (excluding Super Bowl lead-outs) since the Friends series finale in 2004.