Top 10 SNL Hosts the Cast Loved
#10: Travis Kelce
It is always fascinating to watch sports stars take on hosting duties on “SNL”. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce hosted the show in 2023, giving us memorable skits like “American Girl Café” and “Straight Male Friend”. Turns out, fans weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the episode. Former cast member Heidi Gardner, who appeared in several of his sketches, revealed she had been trying to bring Kelce on the show for years. It was only after he won the Super Bowl that “SNL” gave him the hosting gig. As a fan, Gardner admitted to being ‘very protective’ of him and even gushed that he ‘won “SNL”’. Later, she named Travis as her favorite guest host.
#9: Ringo Starr
Who wouldn’t be starstruck by The Beatles’ legendary drummer? Ringo Starr hosted “SNL” on December 8, 1984, and it was a buzzy affair, to say the least. One of the most prominent cast members at the time was Martin Short. The “Only Murders in the Building” actor shared the screen with Starr for a sketch called “Beatle Memorabilia Auction”, where Ringo himself was up for sale. It ended up being one of the highlights of the episode. Short later revealed that the host was ‘fabulous’. He confessed to being intimidated, as he was meeting a Beatle for the first time, but seemed to have enjoyed the experience of working with him.
#8: Pedro Pascal
Every time “The Last of Us” actor stops by Studio 8H, he goes viral. During his first hosting turn in 2023, the star gave us iconic acts like “Protective Mom” and “Lisa from Temecula”, which are counted among the best of all time. Pascal did such a fantastic job that his episode even earned him an Emmy nod! No wonder he was brought back for a cameo in the 50th anniversary special, where he starred in popular sketches like “Close Encounter” with Kate McKinnon and “Vow Renewal” with Marcello Hernández. Ego Nwodim, who starred in “Lisa from Temecula” as the eponymous Lisa, said he was one of her top hosts. Chloe Fineman from “Vow Renewal” also named him as one of her faves.
#7: Jack Black
As one of Hollywood’s comedy greats, it is no surprise that the “School of Rock” star has hosted “SNL” four times. He also appeared as a musical guest once as part of the musical duo Tenacious D alongside Kyle Gass. Longtime cast member Kenan Thompson has especially fond memories of the actor, since he was the host when Kenan first appeared on the show as a featured player. Years later, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the sketch comedy star described Black as an “SNL” favorite, raving about his high energy and comedic style. He even compared the Grammy winner to another legendary “SNL” alum, Chris Farley.
#6: Christopher Walken
This iconic actor has a very specific brand of comedy, and it lends itself wonderfully to “SNL”. Christopher Walken has hosted the show seven times, and each episode was an absolute hit. With acts like “Meet the Family” and “More Cowbell”, he proved himself a sketch comedy genius. In fact, former cast members Will Forte and Seth Meyers count “More Cowbell” as one of their favorite sketches of all time. “It’s an all-time host, Christopher Walken, doing a thing that only Christopher Walken could do,” the “Late Night” host gushed. Even Tracy Morgan thoroughly enjoyed watching Walken in the skit. Meanwhile, Amy Poehler called the “Pulp Fiction” star a ‘delight’, even though she doesn’t remember him being much of a talker.
#5: Larry David
The Emmy-winning actor and “SNL” go way back. He was a writer on the show, hosted it twice, and has appeared on it several times. Throughout the years, he has forged wholesome relationships with many of the cast members. When Aidy Bryant was asked about her favorite hosts, she immediately named him alongside Charles Barkley and Dave Chappelle. He was also a top pick for Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett, who couldn’t stop singing his praises in an interview with Men's Health. The former complimented his ‘wonderful energy’, while the latter appreciated his honesty and how fun the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator was to be around.
#4: Tom Hanks
The “Forrest Gump” star has hosted “SNL” so many times, he might as well be an honorary cast member at this point. In case you forgot, Tom Hanks is a ten-time host and has made umpteen cameos in the show. We’re sure he’ll be making even more such appearances in the future. After all, cast members have nothing but love for him. Jon Lovitz, who was on the NBC show from 1985 to 1992, even considers Hanks an ‘ideal’ fit for the cast. Another alumnus, Tracy Morgan, whose debut “SNL” episode starred Tom, struck up a friendship with him that has lasted to date. The “30 Rock” actor calls him “one of the sweetest people” he has ever met.
#3: Jon Hamm
The “Fargo” star is one episode short of entering “SNL”’s Five-Timers Club of hosts. However, he has made so many cameos that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey once teased him for being too readily available. Needless to say, he’s basically a part of the family. It definitely helped that he made a good impression on the cast, right from the first time he hosted in 2008. Seth Meyers said he ‘loved’ him in that episode and remembers thinking he was relatable and far from his image as Don Draper in “Mad Men”. In the same episode, Bill Hader worked with Hamm on “Vincent Price's Halloween Special”, where the actor delivered a last-minute James Mason impression, wowing the audience. Hader considers it his favorite skit.
#2: Ariana Grande
The singer and actress is a three-time “SNL” host, and for her first time on the show, she was on double duty! It’s a treat to watch the multi-talented star’s comedy chops on full display, but her personal interactions with the players are adorable too. Chloe Fineman openly declared Ariana as one of her favorite hosts, waxing lyrical about her personality and talent. She even described her as the ‘loveliest’. Grande’s “Wicked” co-star Bowen Yang adores her, too, and said he would ‘always cherish her’. He’s particularly fond of the faux-romances they cooked up on “SNL”. Furthermore, Mikey Day mused that if he could have any celebrity join “SNL” as a cast member, he’d pick Ariana. What can we say? She is popular!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Emma Stone
Kyle Mooney Said the Five-Time Host Is ‘Always Wonderful’
Bad Bunny
The Grammy Winner Is Ego Nwodim, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey-Approved
Adam Driver
Colin Jost Likened His “SNL” Approach to Will Ferrell’s, Which Is High Praise
Ayo Edebiri
Andrew Dismukes Complimented Her Instincts and Said She Should Be on “SNL” Full-Time
#1: Jim Carrey
In his early years, “SNL” was this celebrated comedian’s white whale. He reportedly auditioned for the show multiple times, but kept getting rejected, which put him in a depressive state. As time went by and Jim Carrey became a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, he landed his much-desired spot on the “SNL” stage, albeit as a host. Carrey has since fronted the series thrice. Cheri Oteri, who was a part of the cast when Jim made his “SNL” debut, enthused about his hosting, calling his episode the ‘best ever show from beginning to end that [she] was a part of’. Noting that he nailed every sketch, Cheri recalled being genuinely happy for her “Liar Liar” co-star.
Who is your favorite “SNL” host? Tell us in the comments!
