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‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 50 is complete. Now, we’re ranking all 20 hosts

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For its 50th milestone year, “Saturday Night Live” boasted numerous advantages: a vast ensemble of performers with a wide range of styles and abilities, an impressive roster of musical guests such as Chappell Roan, Stevie Nicks, and Timothée Chalamet, and commemorative events spanning various platforms to celebrate its 50-year anniversary. And it was no surprise that “Lorne” (the biography) was included; the creator Lorne Michaels continues to steer the show.

Week after week, it’s often the temporary hosts who shape the atmosphere and determine a show’s success or failure. For instance, lively and enthusiastic hosts like Paul Mescal or Ariana Grande can take an episode to new heights, surpassing all expectations. Conversely, even a gifted guest host who may be off their game one week, such as Chris Rock or Mikey Madison, serves as a reminder that unpredictability is part of “SNL.” On the other hand, a poorly performing host (as seen with some at the bottom) can make the 90-minute show feel endless and outdated.

Let’s honor the exceptional hosts this season, those who truly delivered, who were boosted by stellar scriptwriting and unwavering backing from their team. Here’s our list ranking the top hosts of Season 50. Easy, right?

1. Lady Gaga, March 8

In this particular episode of Saturday Night Live, it stood out as one of the quirkiest, yet remarkably suited to Lady Gaga. She graced multiple sketches with her presence, showcased in humorous advertisements for L’Oreal easy-apply mascara and stylish red glasses targeted at a specific demographic, played a role in a Satanic restaurant scene, and left an indelible impression by rolling her luggage to the airport. Not only did she prove herself hilarious and intelligent within the skits, but she also delivered two of the season’s most captivating musical performances with “Abracadabra” and “Killah.

Television

On Saturday Night Live, Lady Gaga entertained the cast by singing, moving gracefully, and sharing humor, all while showcasing two songs from her latest album.

2. Ariana Grande, Oct. 12

For the third time, she was the hostess, yet it still felt like an astonishing revelation to witness Grande’s breathtaking performance leading up to the unveiling of “Wicked.” Her spot-on impersonations of Celine Dion and Jennifer Coolidge, as well as a hilariously off-the-mark (yet amusing) sketch titled “Castrati,” were just a few standout moments from an exceptional showcase.

Television

During her “Saturday Night Live” hosting stint, the actress skillfully imitated Celine Dion, Britney Spears, among others. Notably, Stevie Nicks was the musical guest for that show, and she performed “The Lighthouse.

3. Jack Black, April 5

Just like Lady Gaga, the lead character in “A Minecraft Film” performed and sang numerous times, particularly during a short tribute to My Chemical Romance titled “Goth Kid on Vacation.” Good hosting often requires a high level of energy and dedication; Black delivered significantly more than expected in an exhilarating commercial for “Flamin’ Hot Preparation H.

Television

In this past week’s episode, Jack Black didn’t shy away from being goofy; it even included a visit by Mike Myers, an unexpected slip-up of a strong language, and playful digs directed towards Morgan Wallen.

4. Quinta Brunson, May 3

Instead of referring to it as “recency bias,” let’s say that the creator and star of “Abbott Elementary” made another appearance, approximately one year after her initial hosting gig. She showcased her knack for witty, brief humor, which had previously earned her online fame, prior to her success in television. In a new series of sketches, Brunson brilliantly portrayed various characters, including a senior on an adult content platform similar to OnlyFans, a sharp-tongued boxer delivering cutting insults, and a creative hand gesture artist in a reprise of the iconic “Traffic Altercation” sketch.

Television

In a recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” the lead actor and producer of “Abbott Elementary” made a comeback for her second stint as host. During her opening speech, she was joined by special guests Sabrina Carpenter and Dwyane Wade.

5. John Mulaney, Nov. 2

Despite being preceded by Kamala Harris’ appearance during the 2024 presidential election, SNL’s sixth hosting stint by Mulaney was equally impressive, boasting a witty monologue and a funny skit about a doomed chimp astronaut. Additionally, another Broadway-style musical production about New York City was presented, showcasing the consistent excellence of Mulaney as the host of “Everybody’s Live” on SNL.

Television

In this episode hosted by John Mulaney, Kamala Harris makes a guest appearance as the U.S. presidential election reaches its closing stages. Meanwhile, Chappell Roan introduces a fresh tune for the first time.

6. Paul Mescal, Dec. 7

The actor made an impressive first appearance as host, delivering a charming performance as ‘Daddy’ in the “Please Don’t Destroy” skit and providing plenty of laughter with his role in the “Gladiator II” musical.

Television

For his initial appearance as host on “Saturday Night Live”, the Irish actor found it refreshing, and comedian Dana Carvey reprised characters like The Church Lady and ‘Church Chat’.

7. Nate Bargatze, Oct. 5

Although it didn’t reach the extraordinary levels of his 2023 debut performance as a host, the second time around for this comedian was quite impressive, featuring several robust comedy segments, such as revisiting George Washington again.

Television

Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze took the helm of ‘Saturday Night Live’ once again, and in the opening sketch last week, the previous guests made a return, mimicking the vice presidential debate this time around.

8. Walton Goggins, May 10

As a captivated onlooker, I couldn’t help but be charmed by the enchanting performance of “The White Lotus” actor, who brought an irresistible charm to his role as the horny Mother’s Day brunch server and a boss with an intriguing Squatty Potty in his hosting debut.

Television

As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t help but be blown away by the comedic prowess and dedication of the actor following his entertaining performance in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ finale and his hilarious role in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’. His first time hosting was nothing short of spectacular!

9. Scarlett Johansson, May 17

Initially, the season finale’s host delivered an impressive opening performance, excelled in a humorous “Please Don’t Destroy” segment themed around air travel, and willingly participated in a witty banter for “Weekend Update”. However, the latter part of the episode was disappointing, even a superhero from Marvel couldn’t salvage it.

Television

The actor gave a fantastic performance as host during the final episode of the season, and Bad Bunny made appearances in several skits, just like Mike Myers, who was once a part of the show’s main cast.

10. Jon Hamm, April 12

On his fourth hosting stint, Hamm excelled in portraying a mix of a game show contestant undermining himself and an obsessive police officer craving pizza. However, the other sketches didn’t quite measure up this time around.

Television

In the latest installment, they delved into Trump’s trade war right from the start, mocking ‘The White Lotus,’ and featuring Jon Hamm as host. This time around, Trump’s trade dispute was a prominent theme.

The rest

  1. Jean Smart, Sept. 28
  2. Bill Burr, Nov. 9
  3. Martin Short, Dec. 21
  4. Timothée Chalamet (also as a musical guest performing Bob Dylan covers), Jan. 25
  5. Charli XCX, Nov. 16
  6. Michael Keaton, Oct. 19
  7. Dave Chappelle, Jan. 18
  8. Mikey Madison, March 29
  9. Chris Rock, Dec. 14

Please, never again

A year following a less successful debut as “SNL” host, Shane Gillis – the comedian who gained notoriety for being let go from the show – was invited back. It’s unclear why this happened, but it might have been an attempt to attract audiences who identify with anti-politically correct (anti-woke) masculine groups who typically wouldn’t watch the program. However, Gillis’ comedic range for sketches spans from low-energy and not particularly funny to slightly less unfunny. As a host, his brand also seemed to provide “SNL” with an opportunity to explore racial and sexual stereotypes more boldly, as well as to include crass humor that borders on intellectual disability when discussing self-fellatio. In our opinion, two appearances were enough for Gillis; he doesn’t require a third chance at this role.

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2025-05-19 13:32

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