The ten Greatest Saturday Evening Reside Visitor Hosts Ever, Ranked

Internet hosting “Saturday Evening Reside” is without doubt one of the most unique gigs in present enterprise. Spanning 50 years, the late night time sketch comedy present averages round 20 episodes every season, with just a few exceptions, giving us precisely 970 episodes of “SNL” to this point (and counting). Which may sound like quite a bit, but it surely’s comparatively few, particularly when you think about that the present has a handful of favorites who’ve hosted the present a number of instances. The truth is, the highest three actors who’ve hosted “SNL” probably the most through the present’s run (Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, and John Goodman) are unfold throughout 45 episodes by themselves, which is principally two full seasons.

Not solely is internet hosting “SNL” a troublesome job to land, but it surely’s additionally not straightforward if you get it, which is why loads of the largest stars have not executed it. “Avengers” and “Captain America” franchise star Chris Evans even admitted to being terrified of doubtless internet hosting the present. The reside nature of this system means there are final minute adjustments to scripts proper up till and even all through the reside broadcast. Studying from cue playing cards, hitting marks, having exact timing, and customarily delivering each a great and humorous efficiency is troublesome in itself, however attempt doing it reside with thousands and thousands of individuals watching world wide. 

Regardless of the rarity of internet hosting “SNL” and the problem of the job, there are a number of stars who’ve excelled within the function throughout 50 years, and it isn’t simply those that have hosted over a dozen instances (Ariana Grande being a current instance). No matter what number of episodes they’ve hosted, this is a listing of the ten finest “Saturday Evening Reside” hosts of all time. 

Notice: We have excluded former “SNL” forged members from this record, just because that simply would not be honest. All proper? Let’s dig in.

Drew Barrymore is the one individual on this record to have the supremely uncommon distinction of additionally being the youngest individual to host “SNL,” not lengthy after “E.T. The Further-Terrestrial” helped flip her into an cute baby star (and made her assume E.T. was actual). When Barrymore was simply seven years previous, she stepped onto the stage of Studio 8H, and regardless that she hosted through the tumultuous and maligned Dick Ebersol years of the present, it was clear that she was simply on a completely totally different stage than most younger actors her age. That alone may be sufficient to make her among the best hosts, however on prime of that, she’s hosted 5 extra instances with nice success, together with one time after an anthrax scare.

First, let’s simply keep in mind how cute Barrymore was when she joined the Whiners household again in 1982. Flashing ahead, we will not overlook the all-time nice sketch from 2001 (watch above) the place Barrymore performs a pal of The Love-ahs, Roger and Virginia Klarvin (Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch), which resulted in all people within the sketch breaking character. Plus, Barrymore bought to match mischief with Kristen Wiig’s Gilly, went toe-to-toe with Invoice Hader’s Vinny Vedecci, and she or he was fortunate sufficient to star in a retro SNL Digital Quick. She additionally delivered a powerful array of impressions like Courtney Love, Charlize Theron, Anna Nicole Smith, and Sharon Osbourne, although these aren’t simply discovered on-line.

Barrymore as soon as had the consideration of being the lady who has hosted “SNL” probably the most. Although she has been outshined a bit (as this record will illustrate), which is certain to occur when you have not hosted since 2009, her legacy nonetheless stands sturdy.

Now, earlier than you get mad at us for together with John Mulaney on this record, you may recall that the comic was by no means a forged member on the present. Whereas he had a number of occasional appearances on the Weekend Replace desk, he was solely ever a author on the collection. However due to his unimaginable stand-up chops and good comedic thoughts, he left his mark on “SNL” because the co-writer of the Stefan sketches that made Invoice Hader break and plenty of extra memorable bits.

However Mulaney’s stints as an “SNL” host are an entire different animal. Though his vary as a sketch comic is restricted, it is the sharpness and vitality that he persistently brings that makes him shine. Not solely are his monologues all the time stellar, since they’re pure stand-up materials drawn from his act, however he is made a behavior of guaranteeing that some type of New York-centric musical sketch makes it on air, comparable to “Diner Lobster” (above), “Bodega Rest room,” “Airport Sushi,” and “New York Musical” — all absolute bangers. Mulaney’s signature supply fashion additionally makes him nice in sport present sketches like “What’s That Identify?” in addition to this excellent recreation of basic Nickelodeon reveals from the ’90s.

Mulaney remains to be internet hosting frequently, together with a stint this fall for season 50, and we’re certain there are loads extra episodes with him to return. 

Ryan Gosling is contemporary off delivering one of many best episodes of “SNL” in current reminiscence, and with simply three episodes underneath his belt, he is confirmed to be a fully unimaginable host. Gosling is constant in his “SNL” performances, all the time making nice comedy through the use of his excellent appearing abilities to play issues as genuinely as potential for max hilarity. 

For instance, there’s the “Papyrus” sketch, the place he is convincingly pushed mad by the seemingly lazy use of a inventory font for James Cameron’s “Avatar” brand, and there was additionally an exceptional follow-up that accomplished a correct story arc. He introduced the identical type of devoted vitality to the “Santa Child” pre-taped sketch, that has touches of Quentin Tarantino. Plus, how may we speak about Gosling internet hosting “SNL” with out citing the truth that he starred within the first “Shut Encounters” sketch with Kate McKinnon (beneath), and his installments of the recurring bit are simply the perfect of your entire run.

Lastly, additionally making Gosling’s appearances so enjoyable are his penchant for breaking. It by no means ruins a sketch, and even when he does break, you’ll be able to inform he is doing every thing he can to maintain composure and ensure the sketch would not get derailed. Simply take the current Beavis and Butt-Head sketch, which broke just about each forged member concerned.

We are able to solely hope that Gosling retains returning to “SNL,” and we will not look ahead to him to hitch the 5 Timers Membership.

Emma Stone has shortly grow to be among the best “SNL” hosts ever by merely being unafraid to go for it each single time she hosts. The star of “La La Land” and “Poor Issues” is all the time sport to play probably the most obnoxious and wild characters, however she will be able to additionally simply play the straight-woman and add dramatic chops to any given sketch too. Having solely simply joined the 5 Timers Membership in 2023, she’s already confirmed that she may simply be an everyday forged member of the present with no drawback.

Take Stone’s most up-to-date internet hosting stint, for instance, the place she performed a perplexed girl who in some way gained a tortoise on the Query Quest sport present, after which performed a male file govt appearing out future film trailers set to the slowed down tune of “Make Your Personal Sort of Music.” However Stone brings her full-on appearing chops to “SNL” too, as evidenced by the beautiful industrial parody “Wells for Boys” and the hilarious pre-taped sketch “The Actress.” Plus, Stone has no drawback exhibiting off her musical aspect too, with the likes of the SNL Digital Quick “I Broke My Arm” and the vacation favourite “The Christmas Candle.” Moreover, she will be able to simply get downright absurd, as evidenced by her encouraging poster lady function with Pete Davidson and the clumsy, sloppy kisses with Andrew Garfield in a Spider-Man sketch (above).

Since Stone remains to be within the prime of her profession, she’s solely going to make her profile in “SNL” historical past greater, however as of now, it is already fairly exceptional.

You’ll be able to’t speak about the perfect “SNL” hosts of all time with out mentioning some of the surprisingly satisfying abilities to ever grace the stage. After starting his profession in “The Mickey Mouse Membership” and discovering fame within the beloved boy band *NSYNC, who would have thought that Justin Timberlake can be one of many funniest and most expert “SNL” hosts of all time?

Timberlake has hosted simply 5 instances, sufficient to get him that coveted velvet 5 Timers Membership jacket, however in these episodes alone, he is made fairly an impression as a comedic expertise. First, the singer made his debut as host whereas pulling double obligation because the present’s musical visitor. That is not a simple feat, however he shortly proved why he had the arrogance to sort out the present this manner. In that first-time internet hosting stint, he joined Jimmy Fallon for what would grow to be the recurring Barry Gibb Discuss Present sketch, combining his musical and comedy abilities directly. However that is not the one time he would show such abilities.

Through the period of SNL Digital Shorts, Timberlake additionally helped elevate The Lonely Island, particularly when it got here to their musical prowess, with the arrival of the continually replayed Christmas sketch “D**okay in a Field,” and it kicked off a legacy of working collectively on fake hip-hop and R&B songs that helped outline that interval of “SNL,” together with “Motherlover” and “3-Manner.” Usually, that may be sufficient to make Timberlake an “SNL” legend, however do not forget that he additionally introduced extra vacation pleasure with because the “Wrappinville” mascot, once more with Jimmy Fallon, in addition to shilling Moët & Chandon champagne with Cecily Sturdy and Vanessa Bayer’s confused grownup movie stars. Plus, regardless that it isn’t on-line formally anymore resulting from music rights, Timberlake additionally danced his coronary heart out with Beyoncé for a riff on her “Single Women” music video with Andy Samberg and Bobby Moynihan.

Timberlake is simply a type of uncommon abilities who can seemingly do all of it, and he incessantly does all of it on “SNL.”

In fact we will not undergo this record with out recognizing Christopher Walken. Though he is hosted a lot lower than the embellished friends above him, he stands tall on this record, having been a part of a few of the finest sketches in “SNL” historical past. 

First, Christopher Walken will get the uncommon distinction of getting his personal recurring sketch that started again in 1990. “The Continental” sketches completely used Walken’s eccentric method of chatting with lampoon a forgotten TV present from the Fifties, the place the principle character would attempt to seduce a girl (performed straight into the digital camera) in a relatively creepy trend. Plus, let’s not overlook that Walken’s speech patterns are so well-known, that it resulted in a Walken household reunion sketch the place just about ever member of the forged on the time bought to attempt on a Walken impression, irrespective of how dangerous it was. Walken additionally bought large laughs with Ed Glosser, Trivial Psychic and a sure gardener who has put googly eyes on his vegetation to maintain from being afraid of them.

However let’s be trustworthy, the heavy-hitters are the famously inappropriate Colonel Angus, with some impressively soiled wordplay in some way match for community tv, and the often-quoted “Behind the Music” tackle Blue Oyster Cult (seen above) that gave us the fantastic line, “I bought a fever, and the one prescription is extra cowbell.”

Sadly, Walken hasn’t hosted since 2008, however we hope he comes again earlier than it is too late.

Though it has been over a decade since John Goodman hosted “SNL,” the “Roseanne” star’s lengthy historical past with the collection is greater than sufficient to get him a excessive spot on this record. In any case, there’s just one man who was deemed worthy sufficient to step into the area as soon as occupied by John Belushi as one of many Blues Brothers, and that man is John Goodman. No matter how you’re feeling about “Blues Brothers 2000,” that is not a simple gig, and being a part of that musical group requires rather more than comedic chops. 

However except for that, Goodman has a embellished previous on the late night time sketch collection that stretches again to 1989, and his tenure consists of humorous and memorable impressions of the likes of the diabetes-afflicted Wilford Brimley (seen above), the headline-making White Home worker and Monica Lewinsky confidante Linda Tripp, a heftier model of Robert De Niro on “The Joe Pesci Present,” and politician Rex Tillerson. However Goodman’s finest sketches discover him taking part in a wide range of characters, starting from one of many many males who love the legendary Invoice Brasky to one of many Chicago sports activities superfans who rooted for “Da Bears” and “Da Bulls.” Extra not too long ago, Goodman performed a Drunker Uncle alongside Bobby Moynihan’s inebriated character on Weekend Replace and shared a gross final name with Kate McKinnon.

Goodman has been very busy with films and the “Roseanne” sequel collection “The Conners” lately, however hopefully he’ll make it again to “SNL” for an additional internet hosting stint someday quickly.

Tom Hanks is an American treasure, and it’s kind of unfair that the man is each a spectacular, acclaimed dramatic actor, in addition to an completed comedy star. However much more spectacular is simply how good the Oscar-winning actor is at reside sketch comedy. With loads of TV expertise from his early work on “Bosom Buddies,” Hanks is aware of his means round performing in entrance of a reside viewers, and neither the cue playing cards nor the fast-paced surroundings of “SNL” appear to throw him off. 

Although Hanks has hosted much less incessantly over the previous couple a long time, no less than when in comparison with the ’80s and ’90s, the “Forrest Gump” star is such a beloved host of “SNL” that he is frequently introduced again as a visitor star, particularly every time a brand new host is inducted into the unique 5 Timers Membership, which Hanks has been a part of since 1990. Extra not too long ago, Hanks has discovered “SNL” greatness with the likes of the Halloween hit David S. Pumpkins, a lethal theme park animatronic group of barbershop singers with Bruno Mars, and among the best renditions of “Black Jeopardy” that the present has ever executed. However previously, he is additionally made enjoyable of himself on “Superstar Jeopardy,” delivered some hilarious “Large” outtakes (watch above), and unsuccessfully flirted with girls alongside Jon Lovitz. 

There is a cause Hanks is without doubt one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, and the various instances he is hosted “SNL” are undoubtedly a big a part of that legacy.

Coming in just below the highest spot, we’ve the actor who at present holds the file for internet hosting “Saturday Evening Reside” probably the most instances. “Beetlejuice” and “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin has hosted “SNL” a whopping 17 instances, together with his most up-to-date stint being again in 2017. It’s totally seemingly that he would have hosted the present a number of instances within the years since then, however Baldwin was already spending additional time at Studio 8H between October 2016 and November 2020, as a result of he turned an everyday visitor star introduced in to play President Donald Trump. 

The truth that Baldwin was beloved sufficient on the present to land a pivotal visitor star function for a number of years needs to be sufficient to make him a historic host, however he is additionally appeared in a few of the present’s most memorable sketches. From the well-known “Schweddy Balls” bit within the recurring “Scrumptious Dish” phase of NPR with Molly Shannon and Ana Gasteyer (above) to the unsettling, darkly hilarious “Canteen Boy” with a defenseless Adam Sandler as a boy scot in the course of the woods with Baldwin’s inappropriately overbearing scout grasp, to not point out a easy however incredible Robert De Niro impression in Jim Breuer’s “Joe Pesci Present,” the ’90s is stuffed with Baldwin greatness. However we additionally get stellar impressions of Tony Bennett and Charles Nelson Reilly later in Baldwin’s “SNL” profession, and there is one other vacation basic within the type of a “Glengarry Glen Ross” parody that allowed him to recreate a North Pole model of his most well-known film monologue.

Although Baldwin might have gotten himself in sizzling water a pair instances lately, his greatness on “SNL” can’t be denied.

Do we actually must justify why Steve Martin is within the #1 spot on this record? Martin has been internet hosting “SNL” for the reason that present’s second season, beginning again in October 1976, when he was among the best stand-up comedians within the enterprise. Martin was promoting out venues all around the nation, and this was a number of years earlier than he’d debut on the massive display in “The Jerk.” In these early years, Martin hosted “SNL” a whopping 5 years in a row, one thing no different host has executed. In 1978 alone, he hosted a complete of thrice, together with twice in the identical season. He is been such a constant presence at “SNL” that many usually wrongly assume that he was as soon as a forged member. However frequency alone doesn’t an excellent host make.

All through the previous 5 a long time, Steve Martin has confirmed to be well-liked throughout a number of generations, one thing that’s extraordinarily uncommon amongst hosts who’ve returned again and again. A few of his finest sketches vary from the likes of King Tut and the recurring Two Wild and Loopy Guys with Dan Aykroyd to basic vacation bits, like his totally thought-out vacation want and a musical opening monologue about not phoning it in with your entire “SNL” forged of 1991. In fact, Martin has additionally been a staple of the recurring 5 Timers Membership sketches, from Justin Timberlake’s induction to Alec Baldwin’s platinum standing. Let’s not overlook that Steve Martin can be a deal with when paired with Martin Quick as co-hosts, giving us a current spin on “A Christmas Carol.”

Mainly, every time Steve Martin reveals up on “SNL,”  it should be one thing particular, even when it is only a visitor look. He is a comedy legend who has blended in seamlessly with just about each iteration of the “SNL” forged, and that is what makes him the perfect.