The 12 Worst Saturday Night time Reside Visitor Hosts Of All Time, Ranked

“Saturday Night time Reside” is a comedic establishment. It is a spot the place up-and-coming comedic actors hone their abilities, and the present has launched quite a few careers from Invoice Murray to Eddie Murphy, from Adam Sandler to Tina Fey. However the solid is just a part of the equation, as episodes are written across the visitor host. This movie star is the glue holding all the pieces collectively, and it permits audiences an opportunity to see one other aspect of those well-known faces.

The greatest “Saturday Night time Reside” visitor hosts come from quite a lot of backgrounds. John Mulaney is all the time a deal with to see, but it surely is smart he’d be an excellent host contemplating he used to put in writing for “SNL.” Others, like Christopher Walken, are recognized extra their dramatic performing however get to point out off their sillier sides on the range collection. Whereas some individuals appear destined to be nice at sketch comedy, others ought to’ve stayed distant from “SNL.” 

We’re not simply speaking about individuals who flub a line or two. Over the present’s 50-year historical past, some individuals seem utterly out of their depth, both not understanding or not bothering to understand the significance of being a part of an ensemble. These are the worst “Saturday Night time Reside” visitor hosts of all time, so prepare to recollect loads of cringey monologues and sketches. 

It type of is smart “Saturday Night time Reside” would belief socialite Paris Hilton with internet hosting duties. She was interviewed by Jimmy Fallon on “Weekend Replace” in 2003, enjoying round with double entendres whereas making Fallon uncomfortable. She’s enjoying herself and the deadpan supply work nicely for the phase, however issues had been a special story in 2005 when she was nonetheless related sufficient to host. Man, the 2000s had been a darkish time. 

She’s utterly lifeless the entire episode, with sketches seemingly making an attempt to incorporate her as little as potential. Whereas her deadpan demeanor labored nicely for a “Weekend Replace” interview years earlier than, she brings the power of the entire present right down to bedrock. It was a nightmare for the solid and crew as nicely, as Tina Fey later spoke with Howard Stern about her emotions towards Hilton. Fey stated, “She’s so dumb; she’s so pleased with how dumb she is.”

Fey would later backtrack a few of her feedback, however the proof is within the pudding with this one. Internet hosting “SNL” might’ve been a manner for Hilton to point out she’s a lot greater than a spoiled socialite, and it was squandered. Hilton in all probability does not care, however the individuals who needed to watch that episode positively did. 

It is laborious to expertise large fame as a baby after which transition seamlessly into maturity. Simply take a look at Justin Bieber. 2013 was actually the start of his fall from grace, as that yr would see him in a automotive accident with a pedestrian, in addition to his notorious journey to the Anne Frank Home the place he posted about how he hoped Frank would’ve been a “Belieber.” Earlier than any of that, he hosted “SNL” for a fairly lackluster episode the place he appears extra involved with mugging to the viewers reasonably than delivering his jokes. 

Just like Tina Fey calling out Paris Hilton, Invoice Hader later talked about how Bieber was the worst host he had ever seen on “Watch What Occurs Reside with Andy Cohen.” Hader clarified his assertion by explaining how Bieber was in a “dangerous place” on the time and that he hoped he was doing higher. Internet hosting “SNL” might have merely been one more stressor in Bieber’s already stressed-out life, so hopefully, sooner or later, “SNL” tries to account for a possible host’s psychological well being earlier than reserving them to ship some yucks. 

The yr is 2005. Lance Armstrong is likely one of the most beloved athletes on this planet, turning into a biking champ, beating most cancers, and providing these yellow Livestrong bracelets to boost cash for additional most cancers analysis. Whereas doping allegations would canine him all through his profession (he even pokes enjoyable at it when internet hosting “SNL”), he would not be formally charged for a number of extra years. On the time his “SNL” episode aired, he was simply an athlete who simply wasn’t very humorous. 

On prime of that, there’s an unbridled cockiness to his internet hosting persona. His then-fiancée Sheryl Crowe even pops up within the viewers in the course of the opening monologue to get another person to ask Armstrong when their marriage ceremony goes to be, which Armstrong avoids answering. He comes throughout like somebody who appears like he is gotten away with one thing, and that is simply not the type of power you need for a sketch present. It appears like he is above all of it, making this episode not a lot enjoyable to look at in 2005 and much more insufferable at the moment. It is in all probability for the perfect that a lot of the episode has been faraway from Peacock, the place a scant 17 minutes stay. 

Presidential candidates and billionaires simply should not host “Saturday Night time Reside.” Do not forget that for later, because it’s what we within the biz name “foreshadowing.” In 1996, Steve Forbes, billionaire businessman and editor-in-chief for Forbes journal, had a run for president that did not end up so nicely. His comfort prize was a internet hosting gig on “SNL,” and it went about in addition to anybody might’ve anticipated. 

The writers should’ve recognized Forbes could not carry any comedy on his personal, as there are two sketches the place he merely performs himself. In a single such sketch, he seems on “Nightline” to debate a guide about what a fantastic man “Teve Torbes” is, denying that the nameless writer, who’s clearly him, is making an attempt to make Steve Forbes and his tax plan look good. 

Arguably, the funniest facet of the episode is the truth that Rage In opposition to the Machine is the musical act. If the “SNL” writers actually wished to make use of Forbes correctly, they need to’ve introduced the band out to do a sketch with him. Perhaps reveal Forbes is the key fifth Rage member? In fact, if you happen to watch the “Women and Gents… 50 Years of SNL Music” documentary on Peacock, you will perceive why that in all probability would not have gone nicely both.

It is smart when athletes and billionaires are dangerous “SNL” visitor hosts. Having comedic timing is not usually a part of their job description, however one would assume an actor like January Jones would at the very least be midway competent. She was wonderful as Betty Draper on “Mad Males,” turning her into one of many present’s greatest characters. However with the ability to use a number of takes and internet hosting a dwell present are two very totally different beasts.

All through the evening, Jones rushes by means of her strains and breaks character at one level to ask for her cue. She breaks character continuously, like within the “Rear Window” sketch the place she performs Grace Kelly and might’t cease farting. The sketch would in all probability honest higher if she stored it collectively and was doing one thing foolish whereas enjoying it utterly straight, however she laughs far too typically. Some sketches are so humorous that even “SNL” actors break character, however there needs to be a restrict. Jones is a superb actress, as she proved all through her time on “Mad Males,” however dwell sketch comedy simply appears outdoors of her wheelhouse. 

“SNL” was one way or the other so assured in Michael Phelps’ internet hosting talents, they made him the opener of season 34. Sadly, the entire thing lands with a thud, as Phelps, no disrespect, simply is not that full of life. This is not purely a results of him being an athlete, as loads could make it work. Travis Kelce has a pure charisma to the purpose the place even when he is not a fantastic actor, he is at the very least likable sufficient to get by means of sketches with extra seasoned performers carrying him. The identical simply cannot be stated for Phelps. 

Phelps seems to battle to learn the cue playing cards at varied factors, throwing off the momentum any sketch might have. Perhaps that is why the writers had him as stiff, awkward cousin Craig in a single sketch, the place him standing completely nonetheless the entire time type of works to his benefit. 

What makes Phelps’ inclusion on this listing so disappointing is that the season 34 opener is fairly vital, because it options the primary time Tina Fey impersonates Sarah Palin, who had not too long ago catapulted to the nationwide stage within the midst of the 2008 presidential election. Watching that chilly open is value it however the remainder of the episode, not a lot. 

Through the 2011 White Home Correspondents’ dinner, Seth Meyers had this to say about Donald Trump’s 2012 presidential run: “Donald Trump has been saying that he’ll run for president as a Republican, which is stunning, since I simply assumed he was operating as a joke.” Clearly, “SNL” thought the identical factor when Trump as soon as once more ran as a part of the 2016 election. He was invited to host in November 2015 after having beforehand hosted again in 2004. Nobody might’ve probably guessed what that episode would come to symbolize…

The worst elements of the Trump episode far outweigh the dangerous. At one level, Trump tweets imply issues concerning the “SNL” solid members in the midst of a sketch, and one phase offers a glimpse into Trump’s presidency within the yr 2018. Steve Forbes had already misplaced out on the presidency by the point he hosted, however Trump’s marketing campaign was in full swing, so it was odd for “SNL” to provide him a lot consideration, not to mention soften his picture amidst a few of his extra controversial insurance policies, like wanting to finish birthright citizenship. 

Trump would win the presidency (twice), with “SNL” recurrently doing Trump sketches for the last decade following the episode. And people sketches really feel like too little, too late, like “SNL” making an attempt to atone for not taking Trump as significantly when they need to have. 

“SNL” clearly does not have a problem reserving controversial visitor hosts, and the early ’90s noticed them carry on Andrew Cube Clay. The comic was recognized for his misogynistic and homophobic materials on the time, which he claimed was parody, however that is laborious to suss out when the hysterical laughing does not seem to return from a spot of nuance. Nonetheless, “SNL” booked Clay, and solid member Nora Dunn sat the present out in protest, not desirous to endorse his materials.

His complete outing has a nasty undertone about it, significantly in how the present handled one in every of its personal. Clay’s chilly open exhibits a world by which he by no means existed, so Dunn does the present however finally ends up crushed beneath an amplifier. The remainder of the present continues poking enjoyable at itself for reserving somebody as controversial as Clay, making the entire thing uninteresting at greatest and spiteful at worst. If you are going to rent somebody who gallivants in offensive humor, you would possibly as nicely lean into it.

The entire thing appears like “SNL” desires to have its cake and eat it, too. It desires Clay as a bunch, however it will remind everybody how offensive he’s to attempt to separate the present from the person. It simply does not work. 

Within the Seventies, “SNL” was much more of an underdog. It was a part of the counter tradition, doing sketches no different present would dare attempt. As such, getting Frank Zappa, some of the progressive musicians of the period, one who defied conventional style labels, appeared like an ideal match. Of he was simply there to carry out music, it in all probability would’ve turned out tremendous. However Zappa additionally hosted that fateful season 4 episode, and the not-ready-for-primetime gamers met the not-ready-for-primetime musician. 

To be honest, Zappa’s internet hosting appears like an extension of his music. He is avant-garde and satirical, continuously breaking the facade of the present to level out the cue playing cards or learn his strains as blandly as potential, ensuring everybody was conscious they had been watching a TV present. “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels notoriously hates improv, so he wasn’t a fan, and Zappa by no means returned to host. Perhaps some can get pleasure from Zappa’s internet hosting stint on a meta-textual degree, however for anybody who truly wished to giggle and revel in some sketch comedy, it was a befuddling affair. 

Louise Lasser has some of the salacious “Saturday Night time Reside” monologues in its historical past, as she loses steam partway by means of after which has a breakdown and rushes offstage. Lasser has confirmed within the years since that her “SNL” breakdown was all a part of the bit, however in fact, anybody watching on the time would not have recognized that. Lasser starred on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” on the time, a satirical cleaning soap opera, so her monologue might learn as a satirical method on how “Saturday Night time Reside” company hosts all the time have to seem chipper, breaking away that facade. If that was the tip of it, Lasser’s stint in all probability would’ve been remembered simply tremendous, however then the remainder of the episode occurs. 

Lasser seems disoriented all through her sketches, typically mumbling or outright forgetting her strains. This is also construed as being a part of her satirical act, very like how Zappa a number of years later would have a sardonic angle towards the entire thing. Lasser additionally reportedly wasn’t proud of the fabric, viewing one sketch the place she needed to speak very brazenly about intercourse as salacious (Jane Curtin crammed the function as an alternative). Maybe these jabs at “SNL” are enjoyable for the performers, however they make the episodes depressing for anybody watching. 

There was a really weird interval within the 2010s when Elon Musk actually wished individuals to understand how humorous he was. He has voice performing stints on “The Simpsons,” “South Park,” and “Rick and Morty,” and he exhibits up in each “The Huge Bang Principle” and “Younger Sheldon.” The issue with all these performances is that, ignoring all the pieces controversial about Musk, he simply is not an excellent performer, particularly in animated exhibits. His deliveries are manner too stiff, and there is not any sense of comedic timing. Making him host a “Saturday Night time Reside” episode appears like a doomed proposition from the beginning. 

As anticipated, Musk simply is not a comedic performer, as a lot as he seemingly loves memes. However maybe the least humorous factor about Musk’s internet hosting gig was that he made Chloe Fineman cry. Fineman would later name out Musk for tearing aside one in every of her sketches, as if he is extra of an authority on comedy than a solid member. One can solely hope “SNL” realized from Musk’s look (in addition to some others) and by no means has one other billionaire visitor host ever once more. 

There are quite a few issues that may go improper with a “SNL” internet hosting gig. Some hosts will be checked out, however others simply aren’t humorous, they usually can come throughout as too cocky or get too experimental. This results in hands-down the worst “SNL” host ever: Steven Seagal. That is not even our sole opinion, as Lorne Michaels named Seagal as the largest jerk within the present’s historical past. That is in all probability why most of his materials has been minimize from his episode on Peacock, with just one sketch of him enjoying a stern father speaking to a leather-clad Chris Farley making an attempt to exit along with his daughter. 

It is for the perfect, as Seagal is totally out of his ingredient on “SNL.” Loads of motion stars have a humorousness about themselves, poking enjoyable at their larger-than-life pictures. However as anybody who’s ever watched one in every of Seagal’s motion pictures is aware of, he isn’t one in every of them. It is uncommon to see him even crack a smile, and that is the case right here, as Seagal does not appear to wish to be there, not to mention do any materials. Seagal’s lack of humor even reportedly made Michaels contemplate dropping him mid-week. It in all probability would’ve been for the perfect, however now it is a piece of “SNL” historical past.