‘Scared’ Jon Hamm Had Two Words Of Advice For Himself Before Going Live From New York On SNL

by

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours logged into the vast world of virtual entertainment, I can honestly say that Jon Hamm‘s experience hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time was reminiscent of my own foray into the realm of hardcore gaming.

Jon Hamm has often appeared on Saturday Night Live, even though he’s part of the “thrice-timers club,” as he puts it. Over time, he’s made numerous special appearances beyond this late-night sketch show. Since his groundbreaking role in Mad Men, he’s been almost omnipresent. Despite his numerous accolades, upcoming roles on both TV and the big screen in 2024, one might find it surprising that hosting SNL for the first time ever made him nervous. However, this changed when the actor from Landman discovered two words that turned the experience into something more encouraging.

Hamm has been quite adventurous in his career, taking on various projects and genres such as Tina Fey’s 2024 “Mean Girls”. It seems the “Fargo” actor has no fear, but that wasn’t always true. In fact, his initial experience hosting a renowned late-night show, which is currently in its 50th season and more star-studded than ever, was particularly challenging for him.

Originally on “The Morning Show”, one of its cast members reminisced about his initial hosting experience, particularly a sudden frightening incident that occurred just before going live on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”. He described the moment as utterly overpowering.

Until approximately 10 seconds before leaving, I felt extremely frightened. Gena Rositano was there, counting you down, shouting in your ear, and you were staring at a small screen with your back pressed against the wall. The only thought going through my mind was “Don’t trip.” as I had to navigate the steps.

At the last possible minute was the ideal instant to gather one’s wits, and Hamm rose to the occasion for the audience that night. Frankly, I can hardly conceive of being in such a situation, delivering a monologue followed by a live comedy show, so I’m relieved the former Fletch actor managed to pull it together.

Hamm shared that his perspective change in regards to hosting made all the difference. He said:

At some point, for instance, when the music is blaring so loud you can hardly hear anything, and Gena exclaims, ‘5,4.’ I reply, ‘Hold on, this feels like a rollercoaster ride, you just need to hold tight.’ After that, it was fantastic.

It’s wonderful that he managed to provide such wise counsel during his debut hosting stint. Indeed, at fifty years old, the show feels like a thrilling roller coaster you can’t let go of throughout its entire run. Not everyone has the ability to compose themselves before stepping into the live 8H Studio. Here’s hoping we’ll witness him becoming a four-timer sooner rather than later and handling the responsibilities with grace.

Given his accolades from his roles in FX’s “Fargo” and Apple+’s “The Morning Show,” not to mention his upcoming regular appearance in the 2025 TV lineup, I can’t help but feel excited about seeing Hamm back on Saturday Night Live again. I’m thankful that his advice helped calm his nerves so he could fully enjoy his first time hosting the sketch show.

To catch Jon Hamm on “The Morning Show”, you’ll require an Apple+ membership, while for “Landman”, a Paramount+ subscription will be necessary.

Read More

2024-11-20 05:37