Stars Describe Their ‘SNL’ Hosting Debuts: Kim Kardashian, More

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Fulfilling a dream! Saturday Night Live’s stage has played host to icons from Harry Styles to Betty White, and many of its celebrity guests have gushed over reaching the impressive career milestone.

“I can’t believe I am hosting Saturday Night Live. I’m not sure many of you know that I’m 88 and a half years old,” the late Golden Girls alum said during her monologue in May 2010. “It’s great to be here for a number of reasons. You know, I’m not new to live TV. In 1952, I starred in my first live sitcom, which was Life of Elizabeth, and of course, back then we didn’t want to do it live, we just didn’t know how to tape things. So, I don’t know what this show’s excuse is.”

White’s hosting debut on the late-night series was the result of a viral Facebook campaign, which she made sure to honor during her opening, adding: “I have so many people to thank for being here but I really have to thank Facebook. When I first heard about the campaign to get me to host Saturday Night Live, I didn’t know what Facebook was. And now that I do know what it is, I have to say, it sounds like a huge waste of time.”

The Proposal star passed away in December 2021, but she was hardly the only first-time SNL host to enjoy her experience. Kim Kardashian, for her part, made headlines in October 2021 when she poked fun at several of her sisters and roasted the likes of her estranged husband, Kanye West, stepparent Caitlyn Jenner, ex-NFL player O.J. Simpson and mom Kris Jenner’s boyfriend, Corey Gamble.

“OMFG no turning back now!!!! LOL,” the Skims founder tweeted shortly after her season 47 hosting gig was announced, alongside a screenshot of the cast list. “I’m hosting SNL!!!!!!”

During the October 2021 episode, the KKW Beauty founder — who connected with cast member Pete Davidson during the taping — even joked about people who criticized the casting choice.

“I’m Kim Kardashian West and it’s so great to be here tonight,” the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum began her opening monologue at the time. “I know, I’m surprised to see me here too.”

Other first-time hosts used their monologues to gush over their experiences as SNL viewers or as featured players.

“My last show was in 2013 and, since then, I have had two amazing children [with ex Olivia Wilde]: Otis and Daisy,” Jason Sudeikis, who was a part of the cast from 2006 to 2013, said at the start of his October 2021 show. “It’s fun to come back and be the veteran, you know? Different folks asking me for advice. Like, ‘I love working here, but what should I do next?’ Or, ‘How do I get Lorne [Michaels] to notice me?’ Stuff like that. And honestly, I found myself giving the same advice to every single person. I was just like, ‘Win an Emmy, and if you can, win two.’ That’s the best way to do it. It sets you up for success, I’ve found.”

The Ted Lasso star concluded at the time: “This place changed my life twice. Once as a cast member, as a writer here, but most importantly, as a kid watching from home. There’s a good chance that if you’re watching tonight, there’s probably something from this place that changed your life, too.”

Keep scrolling to see what the stars have thought about their SNL hosting debuts:

Bleachers replace Roddy Ricch as SNL musical guest after COVID exposure

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Ricch’s cancellation is the latest COVID-related hiccup to hit the venerable sketch show.

Bleachers to replace Roddy Ricch as Saturday Night Live musical guest after COVID exposure

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Roddy Ricch won’t be live from New York this Saturday night.

Although the rapper was scheduled to perform as the musical guest on this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, he announced Wednesday that he has since had to drop out of the show, citing COVID concerns. According to NBC, he’ll be replaced by new musical guest Bleachers.

In a statement posted to his Instagram story, Ricch wrote, “Due to recent COVID exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe I won’t be able to perform on SNL this weekend. I’m working with the SNL team to lock in a new date though.”

Roddy Ricch and Bleachers Roddy Ricch will be replaced by Bleachers as ‘SNL’ musical guest | Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Jason Koerner/Getty Images

Instead, Bleachers — led by songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff — will perform Jan. 15, making their SNL debut. West Side Story star Ariana DeBose is still set to host the episode.

Ricch’s cancellation is the latest COVID-related hiccup to hit Saturday Night Live. The late-night show had to scramble to revamp its most recent episode in December, after COVID concerns spiked in New York City. Five-time host Paul Rudd headlined that episode with a scaled-back crew and no audience, joined by Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Tina Fey, and Tom Hanks. A planned musical performance by Charli XCX was also scrapped.

Saturday Night Live will air Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.

Roddy Ricch Roddy Ricch’s statement on Instagram | Credit: Roddy Ricch/Instagram

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Will Forte To Return To ‘Saturday Night Live’ As Host, Eurovision Winner Måneskin Serving As Musical Guest

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Will Forte is next on the lineup of Saturday Night Live hosts, following West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose tonight who brought the NBC sketch series into 2022.

During Saturday’s broadcast, SNL revealed that the MacGruber and HouseBroken actor will take the stage alongside Måneskin, the Italian rock band that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, for the January 22 show.

Forte will return to Saturday Night Live, which added him to its cast in 2002. He was a featured player and stayed through 2010. Outside of SNL, Forte has made his mark with his MacGruber and The Last Man on Earth. His additional credits include Fox’s HouseBroken, Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. The next SNL installment will mark Forte’s hosting debut.

John Goodman Recalls Bombing His SNL Audition: ‘Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done’

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John Goodman has hosted Saturday Night Live 13 times after failing to make the cut with his original 1980 audition for season 6

John Goodman is looking back on his disastrous Saturday Night Live audition.

While he’s since gone on to become a successful actor and one of the most recognizable faces on TV, Goodman, 69, revealed on The Tonight Show that he had a tough audition for the famous sketch comedy series decades ago.

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Goodman, who auditioned for the sixth season of SNL in 1980, hung his head in embarrassment before telling host Jimmy Fallon about the experience on Friday.

“It’s not that I had any material to show or anything good to do. I just knew they’d hire me … ‘cause I’m a nice guy,” he joked.

The actor added, “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done in front of people in my life. I wrote something about 15 minutes before I went over there and, oh, god, it was awful.”

While SNL passed on Goodman, Joe Piscopo, Gilbert Gottfried, and Charles Rocket were added to the cast that year instead.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON Episode 1584 Pictured: (l-r) Actor John Goodman during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon on Friday, January 14, 2022 Credit: Paula Lobo/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Although Goodman didn’t make the cut in 1980, former cast member Fallon, 47, was quick to point out that he eventually made his SNL debut in 1989. Goodman has hosted SNL a total of 13 times.

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Fallon praised his guest as “one of the best hosts in the history of the show.”

Goodman said he loves performing on SNL, calling the experiences “the favorite thing I’d do every year.” His most recent turn hosting the series was in 2013, although he appeared as a guest in a 2016 episode.

“They always made me feel at home,” he shared. “You’re with a bunch of smart and funny people and it just feels great.”

Goodman’s career took off in the years following his SNL audition. He’s known for his roles in movies like The Big Lebowski, Barton Fink, Argo, and 10 Cloverfield Lane, and for his work on shows including Roseanne, The Freak Brothers, and The Conners.

‘SNL’s Weekend Update Takes On Death Of Robert Durst, Prince Andrew Scandal & Feud Between ‘Sesame Street’s Elmo & Rocco

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Tonight on Saturday Night Live, addressed topics ranging from the death of Robert Durst to the latest in the Prince Andrew Scandal, and a Sesame Street feud between Elmo and pet rock Rocco.

It was anchor Colin Jost who pointed out that Durst, “the New York real estate heir who murdered his friend and dismembered his neighbor,” died in prison on Monday, aged 78. “Durst will be remembered as New York’s fourth worst real estate heir,” he said, with reference to photos of Donald Trump’s children Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka.

Jost added that Prince Andrew, “who faces charges of sexual abuse,” was recently stripped of his royal duties by Queen Elizabeth. “It’s an unprecedented case,” he summarized, “of an adult stripping Prince Andrew.”

Later in the panel, anchor Michael Che noted that Sesame Street‘s Elmo has been trending recently after getting into a feud with Rocco, the imaginary friend of his fellow Muppet Zoe.

When Che invited Elmo (Chloe Fineman) to the stage, the Muppet expressed his excitement to be at SNL and his hope that one day maybe he can host, admitting that he “overreacted” when it came to Rocco. He has already apologized, he noted, via a “long Instagram post” and is ready to move on.

Then, Che surprised Elmo by inviting Rocco to join their sit-down. “Why does Rocco get a chair? Rocco doesn’t need a chair!” said Elmo. “Rocco doesn’t even have legs!”

When Elmo asked why Rocco was at 30 Rock, Che said that he was in need of a Covid test, given the fact that he’d be hosting SNL next week and serving as musical guest to boot.

“Rocco is host and musical guest? How?!” an enraged Elmo complained. “Elmo feel like Elmo going insane here.”

As Elmo prepared to smother Rocco using the old “paper covers rock” trick, Che made him aware that Rocco’s family was in attendance.

“Elmo give up,” said the Muppet. “I’m sorry.”

West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose hosted tonight’s episode, with Bleachers serving as musical guest.