Top 10 Surprising Times SNL Hosts Brought on Their Significant Others
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Taryn Crankshaw
We didn't expect these "SNL" hosts to bring on their significant others. Our countdown includes Harington & Rose Leslie, Chris Pratt & Anna Faris, Elon Musk & Grimes, and more!
Top 10 Surprising Times SNL Hosts Brought on Their Significant Others
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Surprising Times SNL Hosts Brought On Their Significant Others.
For this list, we’ll be looking at moments where hosts’ “Saturday Night Live” experiences were made that much more memorable by the support of their partners.
In the comments, let us know what celebrity couples you’d like to see host the sketch show.
After co-starring in one of the most successful television series of all time, the real life “Game of Thrones” spouses made another epic appearance together in 2019. During Kit’s “SNL” hosting debut, Rose popped up during his opening monologue to show some moral support for her hubby. She’s joined by other castmates, Emilia Clarke and John Bradley who are attempting to get Harington to spill the beans on the highly anticipated series finale. However, Rose is understandably more concerned about the couple's post- “Throne” finances and the status of his facial hair.
During the early 2000s, Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow were one of the hottest couples in show business. After Gwyneth got her chance to make her hosting debut, Ben’s time came to lead the episode of the legendary sketch show and Paltrow was front and center to support her beau. However, her surprise appearance became the gag for his opening monologue as Ben repeatedly insisted that her superstar status wasn’t a problem and wouldn’t overshadow his moment in the Studio 8H spotlight. Their jokey banter is the foundation for a hilarious match of ego between the two Oscar winners as they poke fun and take harmless jabs at one another.
Former “Saturday Night Live” head writer, Tina Fey returned to her roots in 2018 when she assumed hosting duties for the season 43 finale. It was chock-full of celebrity cameos, including Robert De Niro, Jerry Seinfeld and Tracy Morgan, but none of the cameos are as personal as a special appearance from Fey’s own husband, Jeff Richmond. In a pre-recorded sketch, Fey acts in a mini featurette about the couple's upcoming real life collaboration, the musical adaptation of “Mean Girls”. In the clip, Richmond opposes his wife's desire to appear in the actual show. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him moment, but underneath all the jokes, it’s very clear that the couple have similar senses of humor.
In 2002, pop music royalty Britney Spears took to the Studio 8H stage to play host. Her episode started off with cast member Chris Kattan wearing a long blonde wig and matching outfit, claiming to be the “Oops I Did It Again” singer. Frustrated, Britney calls on her boyfriend at the time, Justin Timberlake for backup and things don't go exactly as planned. Today, it’s a nostalgic throwback to the late 90s and early 2000s when Miss Spears and Timberlake were the ultimate young couple on the pop music circuit.
When Christ Pratt was offered a hosting spot on “SNL”, it was a dream come true for the Marvel superstar. A longtime fan of the sketch series, Pratt brought out all his talents to make sure his debut was a good one. Pulling out his guitar during his opening monologue, he sang an original tune about himself, including his wife at the time and previous host, Anna Faris. Displaying her signature comedic timing, Faris uses her skills to make the most of her seconds-long cameo and help elevate her then-husband’s moment. Although they aren’t together anymore, this moment is a time capsule of their comedic chemistry that was always undeniable.
After asking Tom Green to act in the tv-to-film adaptation of “Charlie’s Angels”, Drew Barrymore and the comedian began a whirlwind romance that ended up in marriage and later divorce. Before they tied the knot, Green appeared as an “SNL” host and pulled off a prank that’ll go down as one of the most uncomfortable moments in the series’ history. During the gag, the two lovebirds announced they will wed during the episode, but Drew doesn’t show up to go through with things at the end. Of course, it was just a prank, but years later the “Road Trip'' star would go on to say that he regretted the infamous moment, revealing that he thought it tainted his “Live” experience. Here’s hoping that one day, the funny man will get his much earned do over.
After “Argo” racked up a trio of Academy Awards including Best Picture, the film’s director, producer and star, Ben Affleck celebrated with a speech that had millions of viewers scratching their heads. During his “thank yous”, Affleck referred to his marriage to wife, Jennifer Garner as “work”. When he returned to “SNL” for hosting duties, he took the opportunity to clarify his odd and ill-timed statement. He even went as far as to bring his then-spouse onstage, allowing her and the audience a chance to have a good laugh at his expense.
During his controversial “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut, SpaceX founder and entrepreneur Elon Musk appeared in one of the most talked about sketches of the 46th season. In “Wario”, Musk plays the “Super Mario” evil villain on trial for murder of the heroic plumber, Mario. His partner, synth-pop musician, Grimes, makes a surprise cameo as Princess Peach complete with a bizarre accent. While the sketch is a tad odd, its weirdness is what makes it stand out and is one of the most memorable public moments that the couple has shared.
Fresh off a high from her critically acclaimed performance in “Promising Young Woman”, Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan took Studio 8H in the Spring of 2021. In the middle of her opening monologue, Mulligan’s husband, “Mumford & Sons” frontman, Marcus Mumford made an appearance. Strapped with his guitar and ready to perform, Marcus volunteers to play the evening’s musical guest. with Carey telling him that rapper Kid Cudi is already booked. It's a lighthearted moment between the two spouses and provides a glimpse into their otherwise private relationship.
It’s hard to believe that funnyman Steve Carell’s SNL appearances between the mid-90s and 2005 were limited mainly to voice acting, as well as only 1 time hosting the show. In 2008, he got to make up for lost time as host of the 33rd season finale though, telling the audience he prepared himself by guzzling one too many energy drinks. In a panic, Carell makes his way through the studio audience and along the way he runs into his real life wife, Nancy Walls. The former “SNL” ensemble member gives her husband a much needed pep talk so he can make it through his stage fright. From auditioning for the show years before to appearing onstage together, it’s a sweet and full circle moment for the hilarious duo.
