In its 44 seasons on air, Saturday Night Live has seen a fair amount of incredible celebrity hosts absolutely body live television, as stars tend to bring out the big guns when they land the gig at Studio 8H in New York. Though we may be forced to sit and squirm through the occasional dud, SNL is almost always on top of its game when it comes to booking hotshots to host the show.
Last year alone we saw the return of longtime players Tina Fey, Bill Hader, and Will Ferrell; even John Mulaney, who was behind the scenes as an SNL writer for many years, hosted the show for the first time. Though it’s bittersweet seeing them move on to bigger and better things (we’re watching you, Bill Hader), a timely return to the spotlight where it all started is always a treat for fans.
Actors, musicians, and even prominent public figures have stood center stage at SNL and absolutely nailed it. We’ve seen celebrity hosts hold their own against some of the funniest people working in the industry today. Hundreds have entered the Saturday Night Live ring, but these hosts brought the heat during their late-night antics and showed everyone what’s what when it comes to getting the job done. Here are the most memorable SNL skits by celebrity hosts.