SNL50 - Top 20 Hosts

 

There have been many hosts of SNL. Some are one and done; they enjoyed the experience and want to move on or they tanked and are not asked back. There are also hosts that come back time and time again and could almost be a part of the cast. I made a rule for myself – I could not pick a former cast member as that seemed like cheating. Anyway, here is my list of the best SNL hosts.

20. JAMES FRANCO
TIMES AS HOST: 4
HIGHLIGHTS: Vogelchecks / Tizzle Wizzle Show /
Spelling Bee / Gift Wrap / Za / Christmas Charity
James is up for anything whether it be getting kissed a bunch as a Vogelcheck or spraying fake blood into Leslie Jones’ mouth while gift wrapping. Christmas shows are often given to hosts they love and Franco is definitely one of them.

19. AMY SCHUMER
TIMES AS HOST: 3
HIGHLIGHTS: Delta Flight / Ford’s Theatre / Monologues /
Baby Shower / The Looker / Big Dumb Hat / Jurors
Amy adapted well to SNL seeing as she had her own sketch show for a while. She is willing to look messy for a laugh and take on big personalities. Her flight attendant who almost gets sucked out of the plane is highlight for me.

18. BUCK HENRY
TIMES AS HOST: 10
HIGHLIGHTS: Royal Party / Uncle Roy / Samurai Deli /
Stunt Baby / Lucky Lindy / Talk Back / Shower Mike
He was the original returning host, sometimes coming more than once a season. Buck is the one that pitched for returning characters and even played a couple of his own including the lecherous Uncle Roy.

17. CHRISTOPHER WALKEN
TIMES AS HOST: 7
HIGHLIGHTS: The Continental / Colonel Angus / Cowbell /
Pranksters / Ed Glosser / Life Raft / Family Reunion
It’s probably his unusual cadence that makes Walken stand out – the cast had fun imitating it during a reunion sketch. He is perfectly slimy in his one-man sketch of The Continental. Of course, his Bruce Dickinson in the cowbell sketch is legendary.

16. LINDSAY LOHAN
TIMES AS HOST: 4
HIGHLIGHTS: Debbie Downer / Hogwart’s Academy /
Sleepover / Jarrett’s Room / Real Housewives of Disney
Lindsay was a hot ticket when she first hosted SNL. She was also lucky to be a part of some memorable first sketches like the breaking-heavy Debbie Downer and the Kaitlin and Rick sleepover sketch.

15. ADAM DRIVER
TIMES AS HOST: 4
HIGHLIGHTS: Undercover Boss / Career Day / Beep Beep
First Time Flying / The Science Room / Del Taco Shoot
For someone who often plays serious roles, Adam Driver plays a lot of silly things on SNL like a baby flying for the first time. His career day oil tycoon is such a great character that the rest of the actors have such a hard time keeping a straight face. I also love his frustration in The Science Room.

14. ANNE HATHAWAY
TIMES AS HOST: 3
HIGHLIGHTS: Mary Poppins / Mega-Mart / The Miley
Cyrus Show / Homeland / Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Anne Hathaway knocks it out of the park with her Les Miserable singing monologue. Her Homeland impression is incredibly funny as is her Mary Poppins. She is a force to be reckoned with.  

13. ZACH GALIFINAKIS
TIMES AS HOST: 3
HIGHLIGHTS: Bidet / Game of Game of Thrones /
Darrell’s House / Monologues / M & M Store
Zach is such a weird individual which is perfect for some of the bizarre sketches on SNL. His obsession with bidets is wonderful as is the crappy editing job he employs for Darrell’s House. But it is Zach’s one-liner filled monologue that moves him up this list.

12. BEN AFFLECK
TIMES AS HOST: 5
HIGHLIGHTS: Boston Teens / Escalator / Gigli / Z105 /
Appalachian Emergency Room / Only Bangkok
I like an actor who is willing to laugh at himself. He pokes fun at his Bennifer status while trying to sell shirts during his monologue and he lets the cast mock him endlessly for his work on Gigli. The escalator sketch is also quite creative and fun.

11. LOUIS C.K.
TIMES AS HOST: 4
HIGHLIGHTS: Thank You Scott / Lincoln / Hotel Fees /
Last Call / Monologues / Birthday Clown / Soda Fountain
His hangdog expression mixed with moments of incredulousness is a perfect cocktail for SNL. His quietness in Thank You Scott and Birthday Clown play so well against the comedy on stage. I love his monologues most though.

10. NATE BARGATZE
TIMES AS HOST: 2
HIGHLIGHTS: Washington’s Dream / Stab at Love /
Coach Allan / Water Slide / Oakmont Fall Classic
In just two years, Nate has emerged as the perfect host for SNL. His monologues are great but it is his dry and clean sense of humour that makes me laugh out loud. I don’t think I’ve really seen him in a bad sketch yet; it’s early but that’s an awesome track record. I still show Washington’s Dream to as many people as I can. I’m looking forward to his next hosting gig.

9. TOM HANKS
TIMES AS HOST: 10
HIGHLIGHTS: Black Jeopardy / David S Pumpkins / Mr.
Short-Term Memory / Girl Watchers / SNL @ Home
America’s Everyman who is now America’s Dad has always been a great SNL host. He has the acting chops (and the Oscars) to do anything they ask of him. He can comfort us during Covid, make us laugh at Black Jeopardy and make us question what is going on with his David S Pumpkins.

8. PAUL RUDD
TIMES AS HOST: 5
HIGHLIGHTS: Clearing the Air / One Direction Fan /
What’s Wrong with this Picture? / Bill Brasky / Divorce
Paul Rudd is often paired with a musical superstar but he definitely is a draw all on his own. He is like everyone’s friend on the cast and that lends itself well to numerous sketches. It didn’t quite make my list but check out Clearing the Air and you’ll see what I mean.

7. EMMA STONE
TIMES AS HOST: 5
HIGHLIGHTS: Le Jeunes de Paris / Well for Boys /
Posters The Actress / The Christmas Candle 
Emma usually goes overly serious to get the big laughs like in The Actress or she eats a messy burger as a sexy poster. I enjoy her commercials most though like the Well for Boys and Christmas Candle.

6. JOHN MULANEY
TIMES AS HOST: 6
HIGHLIGHTS: Stand-Up / Diner Lobster / Cha Cha Slide /
Monkey Judge / What’s That Name / Ejector Toilet
This is a bit of a cheat because he was on staff at SNL but not part of the cast. I adore his stand-up and love his comic delivery in sketches. His Diner Lobster has now morphed into bigger and bigger musical productions. I love that he can bring failed pitches to the foreground on the SNL stage.

5. JON HAMM
TIMES AS HOST: 4
HIGHLIGHTS: Jon Hamm’s John Ham / Guide to Picking
Up Women / Vincent Price Halloween / Hamm & Buble
Jon Hamm is a handsome guy who uses his looks and charisma to bring the audience to their knees in laughter. He so wanted to shed that serious Don Draper persona and accomplished it easily. He often comes back to cameo because he just loves working with the casts. He also does some fun impressions.

4. JIM CARREY
TIMES AS HOST: 3
HIGHLIGHTS: Roxbury Guys / Jacuzzi Lifeguard / Lincoln
Geoff’s Halloween Emporium / Merryville Trolley Ride
He auditioned for SNL but got rejected which may have worked in his favour as he became a standout on In Living Color shortly after. Carrey brings his rubbery face and long-limbed physicality to every sketch he is in. He takes the Roxbury Guys to a whole new level and dances up a storm as the Black Swan. He is amazing to watch and I wish he’d host more.

3. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
TIMES AS HOST: 5
HIGHLIGHTS: Dancing Mascot / Dick in a Box / What’s
That Name / Motherlover / Hip Hop Kids / It’s a Date
This guy could definitely be a part of the SNL cast. He effortlessly fits into any sketch. His digital shorts with The Lonely Island are legendary. His comic timing in sketches are brilliant and he often gets use his great singing voice to elevate a show. Timberlake is a treat.

 
2. STEVE MARTIN
TIMES AS HOST: 16
HIGHLIGHTS: Wild and Crazy Guys / A Holiday Wish /
The Tonight Song / Theodorick of York / Eulogies
Steve has been doing this for so long that many people assumed he was one of the cast back in the day. That kind of history with the show lends itself to complete trust between the cast and the host. Steve has done it all and continues to nail every piece of comedy. He is a revelation.

1. ALEC BALDWIN
TIMES AS HOST: 17
HIGHLIGHTS: Delicious Dish / Car Pool / Elf Motivation /
Canteen Boy / Inside the Actor’s Studio / Donald Trump
Fighting it out with Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin has succeeded in hosting SNL the most times. There is obviously a reason why he keeps getting asked back. He is just that good. He can do impressions, he can play all kinds of roles and he also did a solid Trump before James Austin Johnson took over. Baldwin is the quintessential host of SNL, which is why he is easily number one.