SNL Faces Backlash for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ Controversial Comeback Amid Scandal

Fans on social media responded enthusiastically when Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a surprising reappearance during Sunday’s SNL50: The Anniversary Special.

At the celebration marking the 50-year milestone of the popular NBC show, Lively and Reynolds were accompanied by many well-known stars such as Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Leslie Jones, David Spade, and Jon Lovitz who have all been associated with SNL in the past.

Last weekend’s appearance was the first time in two months that Lively, aged 37, graced a red carpet event. Since the controversy surrounding her and Justin Baldoni, the director of It Ends With Us, escalated towards the end of last year, she had avoided attending any public functions.

During the show, Ryan playfully made light of his scandal involving Justin Baldoni in a comedy sketch with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. At 48 years old, Reynolds, accompanied by Lively at 37, rose from their seats and asked, “I have a question.

The question posed to him was, “Ryan Reynolds, how are you doing?” To this, the actor who plays Deadpool responded sarcastically, “I’m doing great – what rumors have you heard about the challenging filming of It Ends with Us?” This response subtly references the numerous news articles covering the difficult production of the summer blockbuster.

On social media, the reaction was swift.

A user commented, ‘It’s a nice attempt by SNL to fix the situation with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, but their efforts will be ineffective.’

Another remarked of the show, ‘Gross. So they’re supporting the bullies too.’

One individual commented that Reynolds seems “distressed,” while another observed about the duo, “They’re becoming quite awkward now…” (This version aims to maintain the original sentiment but uses more natural and easy-to-understand language.)

Previously, Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansson, who was present this past Sunday, but is now wed to long-time Saturday Night Live member Colin Jost. (Age: 42)

‘I hope Scarlet laughed uproariously,’ the user said.

Lively’s last appearance on a red carpet was on December 11, 2024, at the Beauty Inc Awards in New York City. This event took place several weeks prior to the start of legal proceedings with Baldoni.

In the heart of New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza, Lively and Reynolds presented a united image during their appearance at a TV event, after several months of controversy.

On Instagram Sunday, a photograph featuring the couple was posted by Chevy Chase, a former Saturday Night Live cast member who has had his fair share of on-set disputes.

The initial photos uploaded to Chase’s gallery featured Reynolds and Lively alongside Murphy, Rock, Sandler, and their old rival Murray – all former co-stars from the same show.

In the neighboring discussion thread, Reynolds and Lively were frequently mentioned, with several individuals bringing up accusations that Baldoni had made in his legal documents.

Said one user: ‘Not Ryan and Blake, but love everyone else! Not sure why they are the first pic.’

One user inquired, ‘Did you employ an intimacy advisor for the scene featuring Blake?’ They seemed concerned about potential legal issues, suggesting, ‘I hope you documented everything in case a lawsuit arises.’

A different user warned, “Watch out Chevy, she could accuse you of something!” Meanwhile, another commented, “Blake has been canceled.

Last summer, the dynamic duo, Lively and Reynolds, who captivated the box office with their films “It Ends with Us” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” exuded A-list elegance in their formal attire for the celebration of a classic NBC comedy series.

In the midst of the Baldoni scandal, Lively was the talk of the town as she gracefully returned to the red carpet, donning a striking silver gown and letting her golden locks cascade freely. To complete her look, she added a pair of sophisticated silver sandals adorned with straps.

Reynolds looked every part the leading man in a black tuxedo, with his brown locks spiked up. 

In a legal claim, Lively alleges that Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment. On the other hand, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, charging them with defamation and extortion in a lawsuit seeking $400 million.

In response to the claims made by Lively, Baldoni has stated that they are not true. On the other hand, Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane have all refuted the charges leveled against them in court by Baldoni.

Baldoni’s team unveiled a website showcasing confidential exchanges, like text messages, that were part of legal documents outlining his dealings with the influential Hollywood duo regarding the production of their romantic movie.

In legal documents, he asserted that attempts were made to bypass and diminish his role as the director for It Ends with Us.

Following the unveiling of a promotional post for Another Simple Favor on February 5, where Lively co-stars with Anna Kendrick, several commentators hinted that Lively may have attempted to exert her power over director Paul Feig (aged 62) regarding this film. This speculation prompted the filmmaker to address these rumors.

Dailymail.com has reached out to Feig and his rep for further comment on this story.

Director Feig, known for movies like Bridesmaids (2011), Ghostbusters (2016), and the upcoming Jackpot! (2024), emphasized that he had complete creative control over this film. He simply wanted to clarify that there is no other version of the movie, explaining, “This is my edit. There isn’t another one… just thought I’d make that clear.

In his response, Feig lavishly complimented Lively, a colleague from the 2018 film “A Simple Favor” whom he had previously praised.

The Emmy-nominated director, known for directing series like Arrested Development, The Office, and Nurse Jackie, praised Blake, stating that she has been nothing short of a joy to work with and incredibly supportive. In his opinion, Blake is exceptional at collaboration and he admires her immensely.

Many supporters of the director voiced their disapproval as he spoke up for Lively, facing criticism during the time when Baldoni presented claims in legal documents and online posts.

Hey Paul, I get that you might brush off these remarks as just some crazies talking, but it’s clear to me that Blake and Ryan leveraged their fame to trample on Justin. It truly saddens me, and I hope you remember those early days in this industry.

Others suggested to Feig that his esteemed status as a well-respected industry veteran might shield him from the aggressive control and interference that Lively reportedly exerted over Baldoni regarding the script, costumes, and edits for It Ends with Us.

As a seasoned lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: “With my extensive experience in the directorial field, it’s only natural that Blake wouldn’t dare encroach on my territory. Instead, she strategically targets emerging directors and leverages her husband to exert influence and seize control.

She wouldn’t dare act that way towards someone as respectable as you, so it’s only fitting that she is described as ‘amazing,’ ‘great,’ and ‘kind.’

It seems you’re actually strengthening Blake’s case when you defend her, as it suggests she is friendly towards influential figures like yourself but picks on those she perceives as less significant.

Another person affirmed, ‘You’re likely a decent individual, but it’s fortunate for you that Blake didn’t harass you or confine you to the basement due to your luck. He respected and admired you because you weren’t insignificant.’

‘But good luck with this show. It’s dead in the water.’

Several individuals pointed out in their comments on Feig’s post that, according to court documents, Lively had orchestrated his reduced appearance at the premiere of “The It Ends with Us” as claimed by Baldoni.

One user advised, “Watch out, or you might find yourself in the basement on opening day,” and another replied, “Take care, Paul, as you could end up in the basement when the premiere arrives.

On Tuesday, Feig shared a standalone post of his own, following reports that the movie penned by Jessica Sharzer is set to debut at the upcoming SXSW Film and TV Festival in Austin, Texas, starting next month.

Feig announced in a post: ‘I have a small request… could you mark your calendar?’ The movie ‘#AnotherSimpleFavor’ from AmazonMGMStudios will debut as the opening film at SXSW in Austin on March 7th. Later, it will be available on PrimeVideo on May 1st. Keep an eye out for more updates and plenty of fun!

Amazon’s Prime Video posted a message that reads, ‘We have another favor to ask of you… could you mark your calendars? The opening night event is taking place at SXSW on May 1st, streaming exclusively on Prime Video.’

In the follow-up to their 2018 movie “A Simple Favor,” Stars will join Kendrick once more, taking on Emily Nelson and Stephanie Smothers again, mirroring their original performances.

The next installment takes Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson on a journey to the enchanting Italian island of Capri, where Emily is set to marry a prosperous Italian entrepreneur in an opulent ceremony.

In addition to the main stars, Allison Janney, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins, Henry Golding, and Andrew Rannells complete the film’s ensemble cast.

A multitude of comments, concerning accusations made by Baldoni in legal documents and a related online platform, overflowed onto both Prime Video’s post and Feig’s page.

One user inquired, “Did Ryan change a scene?”, another made a joke by saying, “Is the sign advertising Ryan’s gin too?”, and yet another wondered, “Is this the original or did Blake modify it?

In Baldoni’s legal documents, it was mentioned that someone referred to a conversation where Lively compared Reynolds and Swift to Game of Thrones dragons. One person asked, “How deeply are Blake’s dragons engaged in this matter?”, while another questioned, “Will there be dragons present?

As a devoted observer, I too found myself drawn to contribute my thoughts amidst the captivating unfolding of events. Just like one user, I felt compelled to express myself right in the comment section, especially during the heated debates and controversies. Similarly, I wonder if others were here solely for the comments, much like another user who asked, ‘Who else joined simply for the discussion?’

I can’t help but echo the sentiments of others who’ve said, “This timing for the promotion couldn’t be more hilariously bad, lol!” And as a precognitive fan, I sense that they might soon disable comments due to the potential uproar.

Previously, Baldoni’s team stated that the documents filed in court and made public on their site have clarified the intentions of both parties, representing another instalment in the ongoing dispute between the stars of It Ends with Us.

The active website located at thelawsuitinfo.com emerges in response to a series of notable legal disputes among the movie’s creators, a blockbuster hit that graced the screens last August.

The website became active several days before the rescheduled preliminary hearing on Monday (originally planned for February 12th), preceding the trial scheduled to begin on March 9, 2026, in this particular case.

On the 20th of December, Lively lodged an 80-page civil rights claim with the California Civil Rights Department, preceding the formal submission of a federal lawsuit which occurred on the 31st of December.

In December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment during the making of the movie. According to her court filing, Baldoni was accused of sexually harassing her in various ways, including making derogatory comments about her body, and orchestrating a plan to tarnish her reputation by spreading false information.

In a reaction to the lawsuit, Baldoni and his representatives assert that Lively distorted the meaning of text exchanges between them and deceived the public about their true film collaboration.

In her legal action, Lively identified several individuals who worked with Baldoni, such as his production company Wayfarer Studios, its chief executive officer and main financier, as well as public relations staff members Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.

In my pursuit of justice, I fervently hope that my legal action will serve as a catalyst for transparency, revealing the underhanded strategies used to retaliate against individuals who bravely expose misconduct. My intention is that this exposure will safeguard others who may find themselves in similar situations.

Later, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the newspaper for an alleged defamation, seeking $250 million, stemming from a December 21 article titled “We Can Bury Anyone: An Inside Look at a Hollywood Slander Apparatus”; however, the newspaper has refuted these claims.

As a devoted supporter, I’d like to share that on January 16, I, Baldoni, filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Leslie Sloane, her publicist, accusing them of defamation and extortion. In the courtroom, I asserted that this trio fabricated ‘baseless accusations of sexual harassment’ against me.

After Lively’s complaint was lodged, Baldoni has encountered several career repercussions, such as a lawsuit brought forth by a previous publicist, and termination of representation from WME, who also manages Lively and Reynolds.

According to Variety, WME disputes allegations that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively pressured them into removing Baldoni from their list of clients.

Both sets of lawyers agreed on a strategy to consolidate the federal lawsuits they’re handling into a single case going forward. However, all parties involved in these legal disputes have refuted the accusations leveled against them.

The movie titled “It Ends with Us,” featuring Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, and Kevin McKidd, made its theatrical debut on August 9 and garnered positive reception among viewers. Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, this film grossed approximately $148 million at the domestic box office and an impressive $350 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

2005 marked the start of Blake Lively’s lively acting career with the movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” alongside Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera. This breakthrough role catapulted her into a prominent position on the television series Gossip Girl (2007-2012), where she portrayed the lead character Serena van der Woodsen.

Additionally, she can be seen in films like “The Town” (2010), “The Shallows” (2016), “A Simple Favor” (2018), and “The Rhythm Section” (2020).

Before diving headfirst into “It Ends with Us”, I was already a dedicated fan of Justin Baldoni thanks to his captivating portrayal of Rafael Solano on Jane the Virgin from 2014 to 2019. But that wasn’t all he had up his sleeve! He’s also directed movies like “Five Feet Apart” in 2019 and “Clouds” in 2020, and penned the insightful book “Man Enough”, published in 2021, which delved into modern misconceptions about masculinity.

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2025-02-17 08:06