John Mulaney Targets ‘SNL’ Celebrity Hosts: ‘Only 2 Of Them Have Committed Murder’ – HuffPost
Trends ReporterJohn Mulaney brought some macabre reality to the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special.The former “SNL” writer joined Steve Martin onstage for the opening monologue Sunday and thanked him for praising the show’s wordsmiths, only to argue that the celebrity hosts are the true “heart and soul” of the show — before letting off a cold-blooded joke.“You know, as I look around, I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life,” Mulaney told the crowd. “Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder.”Ever the performer, Martin hilariously mouthed a seemingly impressed “wow” at that fact.While Mulaney moved on without naming the hosts in question, he was likely referring to professional football player O.J. Simpson and actor Robert Blake, both of whom stood trial for allegedly murdering their wives, Nicole Brown Simpson and Bonny Lee Bakley, respectively.Social media users reacted fondly to the morbid opener, but also shared some confusion.“Who knew the SNL stage could hold such dark humor? Oh yeah they could!” wrote one user on X, formerly called Twitter, while another commented, “Who were the 2 hosts he was referring to? Most likely answer is O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake, but possibly Alec Baldwin.”Baldwin has certainly hosted several times and was involved in a fatal shooting on the set of “Rust” in 2021 but was never charged with murder. His initial charge of involuntary manslaughter was dismissed in July 2024, with the decision upheld in October that same year.Simpson and Blake were ultimately never convicted of murder either but came to be defined by overwhelming evidence against them during their respective criminal trials in 1995 and 2004-2005, making them the two most likely targets of Mulaney’s grisly dig.The next four years will change America forever. But HuffPost won’t back down when it comes to providing free and impartial journalism.For the first time, we’re offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless newsroom. We hope you’ll join us.You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We won’t back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can’t do it without you.For the first time, we’re offering an ad-free experience. to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you’ll join us.You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We won’t back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can’t do it without you.For the first time, we’re offering an ad-free experience. to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you’ll join us.Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.Simpson hosted “SNL” on Feb. 25, 1978, when he was still known as an NFL star, long before he was accused of fatally stabbing his ex-wife and her friend, Ron Goldman, in 1994. He was controversially acquitted of first-degree murder charges in October 1995.Blake, best known for portraying real-life murderer Perry Smith in the 1967 adaptation of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood,” hosted “SNL” on Nov. 13, 1982. He was charged with murder in 2002 after his wife was fatally shot while sitting in his parked car in 2001.The actor was found not guilty in March 2005, but was sued by Bakley’s children for her wrongful death and found liable in October of that year.By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
