Dan Aykroyd Loved ‘SNL50’ Despite Not Bothering to Attend

Despite snubbing Lorne Michaels and the show that made him famous, Dan Aykroyd has glass skulls full of love for SNL50 on his social media accounts — and plenty of opportunities to promote his Crystal Head vodka.

Along with Bill Hader and Dana Carvey, Aykroyd was the most famous no-show during Sunday’s live event. Unlike Hader (“prior commitments”) and Carvey (“too sick to fly”), however, Aykroyd offered no public excuses or apologies for his absence. All we know for sure is that his agent told the press that Aykroyd “won’t be there.” Aykroyd told A.V. Club late last year that his attendance depended on “how and when I’m invited” — the original Not Ready for Primetime Player’s SNL50 invitation must not have been up to snuff. 

That didn’t stop Aykroyd from plugging his product, er, congratulating Michaels and the gang for a swell show. “All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th,” he gushed on Twitter/X. “Advantage of not attending — got to see every second of concert and show on TV. Quote from my children: ‘Look at daddy’s smile!’ Had it from start to finish.  Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual.” 

For an extra flourish, he added a #danaykroyd hashtag.

Aykroyd raised another shot glass full of Crystal Head during the SNL50 concert last Friday night. “Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago. This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it’s friggin’ Holy!!”

The amount of vodka downed by Aykroyd in the days leading up to SNL50 would have been enough to bring a weaker man to his knees. Consider the inebriated toasts Aykroyd initiated in the days leading up to the anniversary:

• “Cracking all Heads — Original, Aurora and Onyx with friends in heightened anticipation on the eve of SNL’s 50th celebration.”
• “Cracking a Head for some Clean-Tinis as we hotly anticipate the SNL 50th milestone in our culture and an unparalleled comedy extravaganza to come.”
• “Cracking a Head for one solo cold shot to even my exuberance for the SNL 50TH when we will see one of the greatest nights in television and indeed American culture.”

Geez, no wonder “daddy’s smile” was ear to ear during SNL50. The guy was practically drowning in grain alcohol. SNL fans were left with a sobering reality: While Aykroyd couldn’t bother to attend SNL50, he wasn’t above using the surrounding hoopla to hype his booze brand.