1) Anthony Perkins (1976)
Because nothing says “funny” like having the guy who played Norman Bates on the show.
2) Ralph Nader (1977)
Before he was hugging trees, and before he ran for President with the Green Party, Ralph Nader was the host of Saturday Night Live.
3) OJ Simpson (1978)
Obviously, not the finest casting decision. But, this was before the whole murder charge thing, and OJ being thrown in jail.
4) Walter Matthau (1978)
OK. I actually agree with this, I just had no idea he had ever hosted. I feel like I need to watch this immediately.
5) Donald Pleasance (1981)
Nothing says “hilarious” like the guy who tracked down Michael Myers.
6) Johnny Cash (1982)
He wasn’t the musical guest. Elton John was the musical guest. Mind blown.
7) Brandon Tartikoff (1983)
Not an actor. He’s a TV producer and network executive.
8) Pee Wee Herman (1985)
Yes, Pee Wee Herman, not Paul Reubens, hosted SNL. Long before there was any scandal.
9) Oprah Winfrey (1986)
Oprah actually has hosted SNL. She can check that off her bucket list.
10) Fred Savage (1990)
This was during the “Fred Savage” prime. Remember The Wonder Years? The Wizard?
11) George Steinbrenner (1990)
Apparently, money can buy you a lot of things. Including a hosting spot on SNL.
12) MC Hammer (1991)
He was also the musical guest, but he actually had to act in some sketches too.
13) Nancy Kerrigan (1993)
Because figure skating is just really the training ground for sketch comedy legends.
14) Bob Newhart (1995)
It took them this long to invite Bob Newhart to the table. Desi Arnez hosted, but Bob Newhart had to wait until 1995 to finally host SNL.
15) Steve Forbes (1996)
Again, money buys a lot of things.
16) Sylvester Stallone (1997)
It took them till 1997 to invite Stallone onto the SNL stage. Did Copland prompt this choice?
17) Roma Downey (1998)
The Touched By An Angel star stepped into the SNL light, along with musical guest Missy Elliot. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.
18) Tom Green (2000)
I’m sure stranger things have happened. To be fair, Tom Green was big at this time. And this was before Freddy Got Fingered died at the box office.
19) Kelly Ripa (2003)
Live… without Regis. Or Michael.
20) Al Sharpton (2003)
Musical guest? Pink.
21) The Olsen Twins (2004)
When they were all grown up. I suppose it would have been awkward having five year old hosts, but they waited a while to jump on the Olsen Twin bandwagon.
22) Paris Hilton (2005)
Yup. This tabloid magnet managed to get a gig hosting SNL. And this was without her Simple Life buddy Nicole Ritchie too. It was also before her turn in House of Wax.
23) Brian Williams (2007)
Yes. The news anchor. I remember this episode. It was awful. He was a terrible host.
24) Elton John (2011)
He had been the musical guest several times, but he finally was a full host in 2011.
25) Justin Bieber (2013)
I’m sure you knew this. It was just a few months ago. I just thought I’d throw this on here just to remind everyone. Justin Bieber has hosted SNL. That will forever be in the record books.
