NBC will give “Saturday Night Live” a huge pat on the back with a prime-time special next year celebrating the late-night trailblazer’s 40th anniversary.
Details are sketchy at this point — meaning there are no guests announced yet — but the special, which will air next Feb. 15 from 8 to 11 p.m., is expected to include current “SNL” cast members as well as a slew of past troupers.
“Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon and “Late Night” host Seth Meyers both tape their shows at “SNL’s” home base, 30 Rock, so I would expect both of them to make an appearance (especially since both of their shows are executive-produced by “SNL” guru Lorne Michaels).
The late George Carlin hosted the very first “SNL” back on Oct. 11, 1975 with musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
Way of wife for Harvey
Steve Harvey, who’s enjoying another good ratings run, has some fun shows coming up — which might be why his syndicated show, “Steve Harvey,” has proven to be a durable ratings winner (the show averaged a solid 2.5 million viewers for the week ending April 6). On Tuesday (3 p.m./Ch. 4), Harvey welcomed an Angora rabbit breeder, who will show off scarves and hats made from Angora (not sure how PETA will feel about that). Then on Friday, Harvey and his wife, Marjorie, host their first-ever couples summit, with the studio audience composed of couples in need of relationship advice (which they’ll get from the Harveys). Next Thursday, May 1, Harvey will interview several cast members from the “Real Housewives” franchise, including Kristen Taekman and Josh Taekman from New York’s version and Cynthia Bailey and Peter Bailey from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Last, but not least …
Publicist Wendy Zocks, a 12-year survivor of Stage 4 melanoma, will participate in the Miles For Melanoma event May 4 at Universal Studios in LA. She raised $1,500 last year … Ex-“Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter, who doubles as a noted singer, will be a guest on Wednesday’s “Live From the Couch” (7-9 a.m./Ch. 55) to discuss her performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center … “The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall” premieres May 2 on Comedy Central.