Top 20 Surprisingly Good SNL Hosts

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A lot of celebrities have hidden comic talents! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most unexpectedly successful hosts in the show’s history.

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00:00 Time to get a fresh perspective. Let's intern.
00:03 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most
00:07 unexpectedly successful hosts in Saturday Night Live's history.
00:11 Want to see the local sights? Ask our concierge Doreen,
00:16 but be warned, she's having a hard month every month.
00:19 Number 20, Travis Kelce.
00:23 It's great to be here, and if you don't know, I just won my second Super Bowl!
00:29 Before he was known to many people as Taylor Swift's boyfriend,
00:35 this Super Bowl winner established himself as a star tight end.
00:38 His electric personality made him a fun addition to the show.
00:41 Now are you ready? I am ready!
00:43 Dude! Too slow, fatso! Who's next?
00:48 Come on, you're okay. Why'd you do that to him?
00:50 You're next.
00:51 From an engaging monologue to hilarious pre-taped sketches,
00:55 the Kansas City footballer defies the negative stereotype about athletes appearing on SNL.
01:00 I already know what I want. I'll have a 64-ounce porterhouse.
01:03 Rare.
01:04 Okay, so unfortunately we do not serve giant steaks here.
01:08 The Super Bowl champ sends up his jock persona,
01:11 willing to make fun of himself in sketches like straight male friend.
01:15 He also finds time to reference his day job in the NFL.
01:18 Kelce does it all like he's been making comedy for years,
01:21 clearly enjoying himself throughout the experience.
01:24 But if you are missing a little drama, just say this, I bet I'm faster than you.
01:29 Dog. Bro, for real?
01:32 You think you're faster than me?
01:34 Number 19. Megan Thee Stallion.
01:37 When she's not conquering the rap charts,
01:39 Megan Thee Stallion is more than ready to step into the SNL arena.
01:42 The artist also shows off her comedic timing in scenes such as "Classroom."
01:46 Let's all try to be more like La Quanticia.
01:51 My name is Amy. Quiet unless called on.
01:56 More than anything, the musician brings a contagious energy to every single moment,
02:01 no matter how many lines she has.
02:03 Let's start off in a squat and pop. And squat and pop.
02:08 There's also a sketch called "Hot Girl Hospital"
02:10 that's tailor-made for her performance skills and signature swagger.
02:14 What's her status?
02:15 46. Female. Made as hell. She ain't giving what hope be gave.
02:20 Oh my god, and the fit.
02:22 Trash.
02:22 Garbage.
02:23 Able to take her stage persona into sketches,
02:27 she could easily translate this newfound talent into a second career.
02:30 We got broke and we don't know each other.
02:33 We got broke and we all have to suffer.
02:36 Her confidence and happiness takes each scene to another level.
02:40 Your depleted whoopee cushions are not going anywhere.
02:42 In fact, I'm gonna let you leave the class and erase those asses.
02:48 Thanks, Sergeant Cake!
02:50 18. Rami Malek.
02:52 Known for his Oscar-winning performance in "Bohemian Rhapsody,"
02:56 Rami Malek has a distinct talent that's granted him massive acclaim.
02:59 Finally, from SNL, Pete Davidson!
03:02 What up? What up? Yo!
03:05 Do I have to sit next to Rami Malek? I mean, his eyes are freaking me out.
03:11 His time on SNL avoids the obvious references to Freddie Mercury
03:15 and instead throws him in the deep end of crazy sketches.
03:18 I'm backed up and it's pissing me off!
03:21 Oh, wow!
03:22 This includes the subtle work as the artist Todd,
03:25 with some incredible moves to complement the wonderfully bizarre sketch.
03:29 I want you to show me your face, my cousin.
03:34 He also shines opposite scene partners such as Aidy Bryant and special guest Daniel Craig.
03:39 The performer even finds time to do a purposefully bad impression of Pete Davidson.
03:44 Which Revolutionary War battle was fought in your hometown, New York City?
03:49 How would I know that? I mean, I went to school in Staten Island.
03:57 Even if he looks a little out of his comfort zone,
04:00 Malek completely delivers in a new medium.
04:03 17. Claire Foy.
04:06 Gaining international fame from "The Crown," this actress is an expert in period drama.
04:11 It's such an honor to be here hosting Saturday Night Live,
04:15 or as we call it in England, Sunday Morning.
04:17 Her ability to channel historical characters makes certain sketches feel even more authentic.
04:24 In maybe her best performance,
04:26 Foy turns into an early 20th century woman writing letters to her soldier husband.
04:30 Your adoring husband, James.
04:33 James.
04:36 Sounds dreadful.
04:38 Love, Margaret.
04:41 [Laughter]
04:45 Her work in a Netflix parody proves that she can also make fun of her claim to fame.
04:50 Some might think that this is her only strong suit,
04:52 but the performer can also switch accents.
04:55 How was work, Charlie?
04:57 Oh, the boss let me out early, so I only had to work 14 hours.
05:01 Here's the money I made, mother.
05:02 Oh, you say that for yourself.
05:04 Her American character alongside Kate McKinnon also proves another highlight for the episode.
05:09 And I hear Bobby's very happy, but I gotta ask you, what happens to the old goo mom?
05:13 Oh, well, you didn't hear it from me, but uh, she called the house.
05:18 No!
05:18 For anybody that believes in her as only Queen Elizabeth II,
05:23 they will likely be pleasantly surprised by her appearance.
05:26 Seth MacFarlane has had tremendous success with his animated shows like Family Guy and American Dad.
05:34 While most of his work is done behind the scenes,
05:37 some don't realize he's equally skilled in front of a camera.
05:40 Look, I'm not doing the voices, I'm just talking.
05:42 No, no, not you, you idiot.
05:43 Seth, he's doing the voices.
05:45 His vocal abilities came in handy for characters such as a spoon maker and a puppet class instructor.
05:51 Maybe my guy, maybe he's a real nerd and he could say,
05:53 "Hey, Ranger, can you tell me where in this forest I can plug in my laptop?"
05:58 Trying his hand at impressions, MacFarlane even excels as Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte.
06:04 His years as a comedy writer, director and voice actor
06:07 more than prepared him for the diverse sketchwork of SNL.
06:10 By the end of his episode, you'd be forgiven if you thought he already had his own variety show.
06:15 Yes, you don't stutter, sir!
06:18 The question was worded in such a way that it was hard to tell
06:21 if yes or no was the correct answer, sir!
06:24 The correct answer is the honest one, you maggot!
06:26 As a Grammy-winning artist,
06:30 Billie Eilish is among the more unique musicians of her generation.
06:33 [Music]
06:40 She was also an unlikely all-star on Saturday Night Live.
06:43 The writers prepared some award-worthy sketches for the performer,
06:46 putting her in a hilarious hotel commercial.
06:49 Our rooms provide every comfort required by law.
06:52 Tiny soap and plastic.
06:56 Phone that blinks.
06:57 Eilish also uses her voice in a variety of funny ideas.
07:01 From holiday-themed sketches to her work as an obscure performance artist,
07:05 the singer stretches her vocal chords in multiple styles.
07:09 Y'all are up here, but hip-hop is down here, okay?
07:11 The streets are in the name!
07:13 It's honestly impressive to see her performing at such a high level
07:16 throughout the show beyond the musical work.
07:18 Taking a chance, Eilish creates an unexpected audition tape for future comedic roles.
07:23 Short glass wearing a little hat.
07:25 And small stain in place you have to touch.
07:31 Number 14, Jon Hamm.
07:33 With his star-making role in Mad Men, Jon Hamm was first widely known as Don Draper.
07:39 His hosting work on SNL gave people a glimpse into his extensive comedy chops.
07:44 He plays opposite Michael Buble just as well as he does any other cast member.
07:58 Playing it straight or leaning into wacky parts, there's nothing the actor can't do.
08:03 There's also a holiday-themed sketch that allows the performer to do an underrated James Mason impression.
08:09 "She's a pirate, Bryce. My Jolly Roger was at full mass the whole drive over."
08:13 Even his wordless performance as a saxophone player can pull in major laughs.
08:26 Hamm doesn't miss a beat in any scene, always willing to take a chance and frequently succeeding.
08:32 From Star Wars to Black Swan, this Oscar winner is mainly known for blockbusters and dramas.
08:53 "What's a day in the life of Natalie Portman like?"
08:56 "Do you really want to know?"
08:57 "Please."
08:58 Her first hosting gig at SNL may have seemed like a stretch on paper,
09:02 but viewers were quickly won over by her show-stopping performance.
09:05 The dramatic actress tears down her serious reputation with a memorable digital short.
09:10 On her second visit to the show, she even did it again with the same hilarious attitude.
09:20 "I gotta say, it seems like you're almost exactly the same, but with current references."
09:25 "Untrue. I'm a mother now. It's really changing my perspective."
09:28 Outside of her hip-hop skills,
09:29 Portman can pull off characters as unexpected as Eleven from Stranger Things.
09:34 Whether she's making fun of the entertainment business or her own life,
09:37 the actress earned enough goodwill to host the show twice.
09:40 "What about you? You having fun, Allie?"
09:42 "Oh, yeah. Maybe a little too much, as you might be able to tell it.
09:46 I lost my voice 'cause of all the screaming I did in the last hour."
09:50 #12 Bruno Mars
09:52 Always an exciting musical act, Bruno Mars is also a more than entertaining host.
09:57 "Now I have to say, I'm a little nervous. I mean, I've never done comedy before.
10:00 I have no acting experience at all. I've never even done a shampoo commercial, which..."
10:04 Joking about his nervousness in the monologue,
10:08 Mars later establishes that he is born ready for any challenge.
10:17 His natural charisma translates to an eclectic bunch of sketches
10:21 that includes one about a scary ride.
10:23 Playing a spooky animatronic,
10:25 the vocalist can make his robotic movements as effective as his dance moves.
10:29 He also has fun dressing up to play a loud guest on a talk program.
10:40 Mars shows off his commanding stage presence in every sketch,
10:44 revealing that he can't help but steal the scene with every new character.
10:48 The uptown funk artist does it all while pulling double duty as a host and musical guest.
10:53 You might know Christoph Waltz best for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films,
11:07 but his SNL appearance reminds people of his diverse talents.
11:11 "Oh, that's very sweet. Sounds like a real charmer."
11:14 The esteemed actor has both goofy energy and a dry sense of humor
11:18 that he utilizes in an equally successful way.
11:21 "Your question is...
11:22 what have you become?"
11:25 "Well, I, uh..."
11:28 He can even play the straight man against crazy characters from the likes of Fred Armisen.
11:35 "So what were we all talking about before I got here? Reproductive rights?"
11:39 "No, just small talk."
11:41 "Oh, don't worry, baby. I'm sure we will discuss social politics as soon as we can."
11:45 The performer also shows that he's comfortable in controversial sketches.
11:49 Perhaps his best part in the episode comes from a parody of Django Unchained.
11:54 Playing a very different take on Jesus,
11:56 Waltz isn't afraid to go for broke in a wild premise.
11:59 We all know that Christopher Walken doesn't take himself very seriously,
12:08 but that was not the case in 1990.
12:10 Back then, Walken was known for his dramatic roles in movies,
12:13 primarily A View to a Kill, The Dead Zone, and especially The Deer Hunter,
12:18 for which he won an Academy Award.
12:20 However, he blew SNL fans away on January 20th, 1990,
12:25 and later became one of the show's most iconic hosts.
12:28 "I recall the first time I saw you in my periscope. I mean..."
12:33 He became known for his Continental sketches,
12:36 where he portrayed a very creepy and perverted man,
12:39 and the famous Behind the Music sketch where he repeatedly asked for more cowbell.
12:43 "You know, I can pull it back a little if you like."
12:46 "Not too much, though. I'm telling you, fellas, you're gonna want that cowbell on the track."
12:51 Walken is now an SNL veteran, having hosted the show seven times.
12:55 Before his stint as an SNL host on September 25th, 1993,
13:03 no one really knew how Charles Barkley would handle being in front of the camera.
13:06 Remember, this was three years before everyone beheld the beauty that is Space Jam.
13:11 While he was a master of the basketball court,
13:13 that didn't mean he'd be comfortable on the stage.
13:15 "Look, Mom, your favorite, Nirvana."
13:17 Luckily, his first appearance was fantastic, and he hosted the show three more times.
13:23 "And, Neds, we know the only thing that can stop a bad roach is a good roach with a gun."
13:28 Sure, you can tell he's hella nervous in front of the camera,
13:31 and his delivery can sometimes be a little awkward, but for a non-actor, he does just fine.
13:36 "And it's me and Keenan and some other cast members, and he goes,
13:39 'Keenan! Let's go to Atlantic City, man!'"
13:42 And Keenan's like, 'What?'
13:46 He's like, 'Nah, man, we're blocking the show.'
13:48 He's like, 'Nah, you guys work too hard, man. Let's go!'"
13:50 Chance the Rapper received mainstream recognition with his 2013 mixtape, Acid Rap,
13:58 and three years later, took home the Grammy for Best Rap with his follow-up, Coloring Book.
14:03 This also led to an SNL hosting gig on November 18, 2017,
14:07 easily one of the best episodes of the entire year.
14:10 "I was the sexiest boy in the sixth grade."
14:13 Chance seems to have an inherent skill for comedy, as his delivery and timing were immaculate,
14:19 particularly during that hilarious sketch where he played an NBA reporter
14:22 who didn't know a thing about hockey.
14:25 "But hey, as they say in hockey, 'Let's do that hockey!'"
14:28 His ridiculous Steve Harvey impersonation was also on point.
14:33 "How you doing, player?"
14:34 What can we say? The man is talented.
14:41 No, we do not mean the action movie star Dwayne Johnson.
14:47 We mean The Rock.
14:49 That's how far back his hosting duties go.
14:51 "I'm thirsty. Where the hell's the beer, man?"
14:53 "Hey, you jabronis up there in the cheap seats, keep it down. The Rock is trying to run a show here."
14:57 While The Rock was always a tongue-in-cheek personality,
14:59 non-wrestling fans were certainly apprehensive about having a wrestler doing legitimate comedy.
15:04 Luckily, he proved to be a ton of fun, and has since become a member of the Five-Timers Club.
15:09 "So I grabbed him a little, and he goes, 'You're hurting me, sir!'"
15:12 "Centrax works."
15:15 He is always game, whether he's taking meth for his erectile dysfunction,
15:19 or playing a gun-toting Bambi.
15:22 And he always makes a joke funny, no matter how lame or dark it may be.
15:26 Well, such is the power of a great comedic actor.
15:33 Taylor Swift is an undeniably talented musician and songwriter,
15:40 but her acting leaves a lot to be desired.
15:43 Have you seen Valentine's Day?
15:45 Gah.
15:46 That being said, she was a surprisingly great host for the night of November 7th, 2009.
15:51 "I like glitter and sparkly dresses, but I'm not gonna talk about that in my monologue."
15:59 Her little goofy monologue song was a thing of beauty,
16:03 and she managed to be hilariously self-deprecating and snarky.
16:06 She also showed off some killer impressions of Kate Gosselin, Shakira, and Bella Swan.
16:11 "Hey, Lomax."
16:12 "So you're hanging with Philip Frank now?"
16:14 "What do you have against the Franks?"
16:15 Yeah, this was back when making fun of Twilight was still funny.
16:18 She hasn't hosted since then,
16:20 but we certainly wouldn't mind if her first go was any indication.
16:23 We're sure Kristen Stewart is a lovely person,
16:29 but it's no secret that audiences were dreading her hosting gig.
16:33 Even though she can be a good actor,
16:35 she's primarily known for portraying the endlessly boring and dull Bella Swan.
16:39 And she is quite a jittery and quiet person,
16:41 which doesn't exactly lend itself to live comedy.
16:44 That said, she was a surprisingly great host.
16:47 "I should bring these out."
16:48 "No, stay with me."
16:50 "What about my hungry guys?"
16:55 "And what are you hungry for?"
16:59 Sure, she was still her fidgety self,
17:01 but her Totino sketch was sexy as hell.
17:04 And the family feud sketch was hilarious.
17:06 "Oy, and toot-o-ben. I love the American Super Bowl,
17:09 where millions of people come together to watch TV and eat this garbage."
17:14 Oh, and who can forget the majesty that was her accidental and adorable F-bomb?
17:17 "We've got a great show, and I totally care that I'm here,
17:21 'cause it's the coolest f***ing thing ever. Oh!"
17:22 "Oh my God, and I'm sorry, and unless your car is also here..."
17:28 Her episode was pure entertainment.
17:30 And really, what more can we ask for?
17:32 Ariana Grande had appeared as a musical guest before hosting on March 12, 2016.
17:40 Defying expectations regarding the young diva pop star's comedic hosting skills,
17:44 she silenced critics with a truly memorable performance.
17:47 She started well by singing about her future scandals,
17:56 before delivering some incredible vocal impressions of various artists
17:59 like Rihanna, Shakira, and Britney Spears.
18:08 Her spot-on impersonation of the annoyingly relatable Jennifer Lawrence was also a huge hit,
18:13 and one of the standout moments of the night.
18:15 With this episode, we realized that Ariana Grande is just as funny as she is talented.
18:32 There's no denying it.
18:37 Professional athletes can be awful hosts.
18:40 Luckily, Peyton Manning was one of the good ones.
18:43 On March 24, 2007, audiences could have been forgiven for expecting another painful show
18:53 starring a stiff and too serious athlete.
18:56 But Manning was game for some truly outrageous skits,
18:59 and surprised everyone with his charisma and comedic timing.
19:06 His United Way skit is still fondly remembered,
19:09 and he proved to be at least a double threat with his dancing abilities.
19:12 Peyton Manning may be the funniest athlete to have ever graced Saturday Night Live.
19:16 When fans first heard that NSYNC's Justin Timberlake would be hosting the show on October 11, 2003,
19:25 many let out a collective groan.
19:33 They expected a spoiled, sanitized, and awkward musical megastar
19:37 who thought he was above the cast.
19:39 We're looking at you, Bieber.
19:41 So imagine our surprise when JT became one of the best SNL hosts ever.
19:46 He's now hosted the show five times and made countless cameos,
19:50 with "Dick in a Box" becoming one of the most popular skits in the show's history.
19:54 He's effortlessly funny, game for anything,
19:58 and shares a palpable chemistry with the cast.
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20:27 Oscar nominee Adam Driver does not seem like an obvious choice for the sketch program.
20:44 His dramatic chops might be better suited for award-winning epics,
20:47 but his appearances on "Saturday Night Live" turned out to be an instant classic.
20:52 The actor makes the case that the same dedication needed for serious roles
20:55 can also create amazing comedy moments.
20:58 "A buddy of mine saw Kylo Ren take his shirt off in the shower,
21:01 and he said that Kylo Ren had an eight-pack.
21:03 That Kylo Ren was shredded."
21:05 "Your friend's a liar, man. Kylo Ren's a punk."
21:08 He elevates an undercover boss parody into a hilarious idea
21:12 courtesy of his Kylo Ren performance.
21:14 "Maybe one of these days you'll be as good a pilot as Kylo Ren."
21:17 "Kylo Ren? Nah, I wanna fly like Luke Skywalker."
21:21 Other than referencing his own work,
21:25 Driver also excels with an original premise about an oil baron at his son's career day presentation.
21:30 "I was born seven months too early. Incubation technology was still in its infancy.
21:36 So they placed me in a cast-iron pot inside of a pizza oven until I was ripe enough to walk.
21:44 Willing to provide intensity and silliness in equal measure,
21:48 the performer creates some truly iconic scenes with expert timing.
21:52 "I crushed you into the ground, and now your bones turn to oil beneath my living feet."
21:59 Did we forget another unlikely host that knocked it out of the park?
22:02 Let us know in the comments below.
22:03 "Excuse me, that sound means another delicious ham is ready."
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22:20 [Music]