Will Ferrell Got Real About How Hard It Is To Come Back And Host SNL (And The Savage Way Lorne Michaels Affirmed It)

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After a span of 50 years filled with episodes, Saturday Night Live stands out distinctly among television series, particularly in the realm of sketch comedy. The cast members, guest hosts, and musicians all need an impressive blend of mental and physical agility to grace the Studio 8H stage every week. Even after long absences, as Will Ferrell admits, it’s harder than people might think to return as a host.

As of now, Ferrell hasn’t been confirmed as the frontman for any 2025 TV episodes, but it’s likely that something related will be announced soon, considering the grand scale of NBC and Peacock’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It’s worth noting that Ferrell, who co-starred in Will & Harper, will appear in the upcoming docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, which will delve into cast members’ audition experiences. In a recent chat with Jason and Travis Kelce on their podcast New Heights, Ferrell likened returning to the SNL stage to a track meet, suggesting a competitive spirit is involved in his return.

That situation reminded me of a track meet. Just as you might not expect, it turned out to be a test of my comedic skills rather than physical fitness. Suddenly, I found myself in a professional basketball game, with the ball constantly being thrown at me.

Due to his recent appearance at a basketball game dressed as Buddy from Elf, it’s clear that he seems humble now. Although he might not be as energetic as he was during his early career from 1995-2002, age is likely the reason for this change. Despite appearing to move in sync with other cast members, it appears there may be hidden challenges behind the scenes.

It appears that series creator Lorne Michaels may not always be a producer who listens with the greatest understanding to cast members’ concerns, as evidenced by Will Ferrell’s surprise at Michaels’ response to Ferrell’s self-evaluation during his most recent hosting stint – Season 47, Episode 7 from 2019 – which earned him membership in the esteemed Five-Timers Club. In his own words, this is how he described it:

Previously, when I visited as the host, I distinctly recall sitting with Lorne at the post-event gathering. In our conversation, I expressed my astonishment, saying something like, “Gosh, Lorne, I can hardly believe I used to do the show – not even hesitating for a moment about it every week.” I expected him to praise me, perhaps say, “You know, you were great, you were amazing.” Instead, he said, “It’s a young man’s game.” He didn’t offer any compliments. I wondered if I had performed poorly, but he reassured me, saying, “No, no, but it’s a young man’s game.” Well, okay then.

Lorne Michaels’ remark was subtly sharp, but perhaps such pragmatic detachment is necessary to maintain a show for 50 years, especially among a group of comedians vying for more screen time. And given his extensive tenure as the show’s leader, no one understands better than him the dynamic between the younger cast members and their veteran counterparts in terms of energy and input.

Isn’t it clear, though, that Kenan Thompson breaks the norm of the age gap? He’s simply a timeless talent.

Regardless, numerous guest hosts on Saturday Night Live have expressed varying views about delivering the monologue and performing alongside some of comedy’s giants throughout the years. Interestingly, quite a few of them tried it once but never came back for various reasons. Therefore, if you’re someone who watches every episode each week and think stepping in for a week would be as easy as pie, let Will Ferrell’s tale serve as a reminder to be truthful about your abilities.

Be sure not to miss the upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live, airing January 18. Comedian Dave Chappelle will be hosting, with GloRilla providing the music.

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2025-01-13 19:08