The 13 Most Cringe-Worthy 'SNL' Hosts Ever

Currently in its 41st season, Saturday Night Live remains a cultural phenomenon, renowned for its iconic characters and legendary comedic moments in TV history. The live nature of the show adds to the pressure, making the performances of both the cast and guest hosts even more commendable. However, one recurring issue has been the quality of guest hosts. While stars like Alec Baldwin and Tom Hanks have delivered stellar performances, others have fallen flat. Whether due to discomfort with sketch comedy, inability to connect with the material, excessive seriousness, or simply lacking humor, SNL has endured its share of hosting mishaps. Here’s a look at the 13 most disappointing hosts in SNL history.

13. Donald Trump

To be honest, Donald Trump wasn’t the absolute worst host in SNL history. His appearance did boost the show’s ratings, and while he wasn’t particularly hilarious, he wasn’t entirely humorless either. The most notable aspect of his hosting stint was his willingness to play along. He endured impersonations by cast members like Darrell Hammond and Chris Parnell without complaint, despite being relentlessly mocked. Surprisingly, he didn’t sue the show—a rare restraint for someone known for legal battles over minor criticisms. Given his tendency to take offense, NBC’s ability to avoid any fallout is noteworthy. Overall, his performance was neither memorable nor disastrous.

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/donald-trump-saturday-night-live-equal-time-george-pataki-1201640266/ Source: Variety.com

12. Adrien Brody

Fresh from his Oscar victory for The Pianist, Adrien Brody hosted SNL in 2003, riding a wave of self-confidence. Unfortunately, his ego clashed with the cast, as he frequently dismissed their ideas in favor of his own, which often revolved around him playing a rapper. His behavior frustrated the team, but the final straw came when he improvised the introduction for musical guest Sean Paul. Adding insult to injury, he wore fake dreadlocks during the introduction, which many found offensive. His attempts at humor fell flat, leaving a lasting negative impression and earning him a ban from the show.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a28596/lifetime-ban-list-donald-sterling/ Source: Esquire.com

11. Lance Armstrong

Before his fall from grace as one of the most notorious cheaters in sports history, Lance Armstrong was celebrated as a cancer-surviving hero and America’s darling. In October 2005, SNL invited him to host, just months after his first retirement from cycling and amidst growing rumors of doping. Armstrong spent much of the episode mocking the allegations against him and cracking jokes about his then-fiancée, Sheryl Crow, including a jab about their postponed wedding. The couple split shortly after. His sketches, including one where he dated a lethargic overweight woman and another where he played a triathlete who could only bike, were painfully unfunny. The episode was nearly as cringe-worthy as his later Oprah Winfrey confession.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3847406336/tt0694913?ref_=tt_ov_i# Source: Imdb.com

10. Milton Berle

Milton Berle, a trailblazer of television and beloved figure of the 1950s, was affectionately known as Uncle Milty. The original SNL cast, who grew up watching him, were disappointed when his 1979 hosting stint turned into a disaster. Despite his experience with live TV, Berle’s comedic style clashed with the cast’s, particularly Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. He also alienated the team by acting condescending and domineering. During the live broadcast, Berle hijacked the show, upstaging the cast and even berating Radner for her lack of humor. The episode ended with a heated argument between Berle and executive producer Lorne Michaels, cementing it as one of the show’s most infamous moments.

http://www.answers.com/article/1279717/the-worst-hosts-snl-has-ever-had Source: Answers.com

9. Tom Green

Tom Green, the shock comedian known for outrageous stunts like milking a cow and draping himself in roadkill, hosted his own MTV show and was briefly married to Drew Barrymore. His film Freddy Got Fingered is often cited as one of the worst movies ever made. Despite his notoriety, Green’s humor never resonated with many. Unfortunately, this realization came too late to prevent his SNL hosting gig. His episode is remembered for a particularly cringe-worthy sketch where Will Ferrell regurgitated food into Green’s mouth, mimicking baby birds. The segment was baffling and unfunny, cementing Green’s appearance as one of the show’s low points.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-26/episode/6-tom-green-with-david-gray-62241 Source: Nbc.com

8. Rudy Giuliani

This is a delicate topic. Rudy Giuliani is widely regarded as one of New York City’s greatest mayors, credited with cleaning up the streets, revitalizing Times Square, and transforming the city into a global hub. His leadership during the 9/11 attacks was particularly commendable. In an effort to uplift the city’s spirits post-9/11, Giuliani hosted SNL. While his intentions were noble, his lack of comedic talent was evident. Skits like him playing a New York City cab driver fell flat, leaving audiences confused. The entire endeavor seemed beneath a man who had been compared to Winston Churchill for his crisis leadership. Despite his goodwill, the episode was a miss.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/clinton-and-giuliani-live-from-new-york/?_r=0 Source: Thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

7. Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase, the first breakout star of SNL, was a cast member only during the show’s debut season in 1975. His Weekend Update segments and Gerald Ford impressions catapulted him to fame, leading to a successful movie career. Despite leaving after one season, Chase returned to host SNL eight times between 1978 and 1997. While his appearances weren’t entirely unfunny, his behind-the-scenes behavior caused significant issues. During his 1978 return, he famously fought with Bill Murray, his replacement on the show. The feud, broken up by Dan Aykroyd, became part of SNL lore. However, his 1997 incident, where he struck cast member Cheri Oteri, led to his permanent ban from hosting—a rare distinction for an original cast member and co-founder of the show.

http://uproxx.com/uncategorized/exact-sketch-got-10-performers-banned-snl/ Source: Uproxx.com

6. Deion Sanders

Hosting SNL can be a hit or miss for superstar athletes. While Peyton Manning delivered a memorable episode, Deion Sanders’ 1995 appearance fell flat. Fresh off consecutive Super Bowl victories with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, Sanders was America’s most celebrated athlete at the time. He even juggled a professional baseball career, adding to his appeal. However, his SNL stint was marred by his overly serious demeanor, surprising for someone nicknamed ‘Neon Deion.’ To make matters worse, he performed two tracks from his 1995 rap album, which, unsurprisingly, failed to impress. If you’ve never heard of his rap album, there’s a good reason for that.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-20/episode/13-deion-sanders-with-bon-jovi-63996 Source: Nbc.com

5. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber’s 2013 SNL hosting gig was a disaster. Known for his polarizing personality, Bieber was completely out of his depth in a live sketch comedy setting. To make matters worse, he arrived with an entourage of over 20 people, including someone tasked with holding a slice of pizza for him, as revealed by cast member Bill Hader. Bieber’s attempt to rebuild his image backfired, as his unfunny performance and diva-like behavior further alienated fans. Perhaps he should stick to singing and modeling.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1538639/justin-bieber-on-snl-strips-down-apologizes-for-weed-in-hosting-debut Source: Billboard.com

4. Steven Seagal

It’s hard to believe that Steven Seagal, the 1980s martial arts action star turned Krispy Kreme enthusiast, once hosted SNL. At the peak of his fame in April 1991, Seagal took the stage, only to deliver what executive producer Lorne Michaels later called the worst hosting performance in the show’s history. Michaels described the week as “just a really hard week,” but insiders revealed that Seagal was arrogant, unfunny, and refused to participate in many prepared sketches. To top it off, he improvised his monologue, ignoring the cue cards. His stint remains one of the most infamous in SNL history.

http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/top-10-worst-saturday-night-live-hosts-of-all-time/?view=all Source: Therichest.com

3. Katy Perry

Hosting SNL can be a gamble for singers, much like it is for athletes. While Justin Timberlake is a rare success story, most singers struggle with comedy sketches. Katy Perry’s 2011 hosting gig is a prime example. Her lack of comedic talent was so apparent that she was reduced to minor roles in most sketches, such as playing a political analyst on a show hosted by Al Sharpton. The episode was so poorly received that her then-boyfriend, comedian Russell Brand, reportedly ended their relationship shortly after. Some speculate Brand was more upset about not being asked to host SNL himself, given his comedic background.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-36/episode/1-amy-poehler-with-katy-perry-60476 Source: Nbc.com

2. Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan hosted SNL four times, with three appearances occurring between 2004 and 2006 during her Mean Girls fame. Initially, she was a decent host, supported by Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey, who were instrumental in her rise to stardom. However, her 2012 return after a six-year break was a disaster. In a desperate attempt to revive her career, Lohan allowed the cast to mock her throughout the episode. She appeared unprepared, forgetting lines and missing cues, which only highlighted her unprofessionalism. This appearance did little to help her image, cementing her status as a cautionary tale in Hollywood.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lindsay-lohan-saturday-night-live-ratings-296746 Source: Hollywoodreporter.com

1. Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton’s infamous catchphrase, “That’s hot,” certainly didn’t apply to her 2005 SNL hosting gig. The episode was widely panned, with cast member Tina Fey later describing Hilton as “a piece of shit” on Howard Stern’s show, adding that the heiress was genuinely unintelligent and proud of it. Hilton’s performance was dull and uninspired, with her appearing lost and disinterested in every sketch. The cast reportedly gave up on writing quality material for her, leading to absurd roles like a Barbie doll without elbows. Despite the backlash, Hilton seemed unfazed, likely oblivious to the criticism.

http://www.vivelohoy.com/entretenimiento/8432907/momentos-historicos-de-snl-en-sus-cuarenta-anos Source: Vivelohoy.com