Top 10 Most Embarrassing SNL Host Moments Ever

This particular moment ranks among the more famous breaks in “SNL” history. During the early years of “SNL,” Candice Bergen announced herself as a successful host. This sketch showed that breaking can also be one of the funniest parts of the show. When Bergen mixes up the name of Gilda Radner’s character, she starts to crumble. Her co-star keeps going despite the mistake and sets up even more laughs. The guest performer loses it, turning this clip into one of the more entertaining skits of the initial seasons. It’s hard to imagine this scene going any other way.

After Lorne Michaels and the original cast left “SNL,” the comedy program took a turn in 1980. The result was an uneven season that’s regarded as a low point. When Malcolm McDowell hosted, he appeared in one of the worst skits ever. McDowell plays a leader of a violent group ready to hunt alleged communists. The scene basically plays to silence, with the host delivering a speech before his character gets shot. It’s a big swing for an acclaimed actor that gets no love whatsoever. We can only imagine what was going through the man’s head, with the script giving him no room to be funny.

In the 2000s, Debbie Downer became a recurring character. Her trip to Disney became one of the wildest sketches of its era. Lindsay Lohan was the host, having to watch as her co-stars all break. She then has to give a speech at the end. Naturally, Lohan can’t make it through her dialogue without laughing like everyone else. The comedy train rolls off the tracks as she and the cast struggle through the scene. It’s now something of a famous moment for the actress and the other players. The guest performer does her best, but she can’t compete against the barrage of laughter.

When this swimmer hosted “SNL,” he was coming off a historic performance in the Beijing Summer Olympics. He then hopped out of the pool and into this comedy sketch about his diet. It’s not a bad idea, but nothing seems to come together. Michael Phelps mostly reads his lines like they’re basic advertisements. To make matters worse, he shares the spotlight with infamous Subway spokesman Jared Fogle. Phelps’ energy isn’t the only thing that hasn’t aged well from this scene. We wouldn’t blame the Olympian if he never wanted to watch this one again.

While it didn’t make it to the final show, this sketch features an embarrassing moment for the host. Justin Bieber starred as a band member with Bill Hader and others. At one point, the set almost falls on the guest performer. Hader improvises his way out of it as the vocalist breaks character. It’s rare that a piece of the scenery almost harms someone. Considering how the skit goes, this is just the beginning of more disaster and confusion. The host carries on despite the audience’s stunned reactions. Bieber’s talent for performance doesn’t translate to this scene, having avoided injury and laughs.

During this homage to “White Christmas,” Steve Martin and Martin Short sing about snow. It also becomes clear that one is a better singer than the other. Martin starts on a line, but his false note prompts a reaction from his co-star. They then carry the skit forward to finish the song parody. The comedian might be a good banjo player, but he’s a little off-key as a vocalist. His co-stars recover, keep singing, and later do some choreography. Even as one of the most legendary “SNL” hosts, this performer can make a hilarious and humbling mistake.

While he was a wealthy businessman, Steve Forbes also tried his hand at politics and comedy. His appearance on “SNL” put him on a historic stage. Within the first few seconds of his monologue, you can tell he’s not cut out for the show. His attempt to make jokes about taxes would be much better suited for a seasoned performer. To add insult to injury, Forbes tries to make a face directly into the camera. His wooden performance doesn’t exactly endear him to the audience. Appearing stiff and out of place, the man fails to ground himself with this script. If he ever hosts again, he should work on his material and charisma.

Even though it’s on late, “Saturday Night Live” still has rules about saying certain words. Host Kristen Stewart made the slip-up near the end of her monologue. With Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon by her side, the actress accidentally let a swear word out. She looks embarrassed as her co-stars react with surprise. Stewart even turns the moment around, joking about her future as an “SNL” presenter. Other hosts like Sam Rockwell have made the same mistake in memorable fashion. While it’s entirely harmless, this mishap shows that some pros fail to remember TV rules.

No stranger to controversy, “SNL” often courts eyebrow-raising guests. Elon Musk’s appearance in 2021 garnered plenty of buzz. Some cast members hinted at their displeasure, while the sketches themselves seemed out of place. Musk appears as Wario in a skit that felt bizarre beyond words. More businessman than comedian, the entrepreneur did not acclimate to his surroundings. His work in the “Gen Z Hospital” also fell flat, with the show trying to mix a trendy script with an amateur performer. From start to finish, this unique episode feels much closer to a “The Twilight Zone” plot.

If you ask some people who were there, Steven Seagal stands as one of the worst “SNL” hosts. He didn’t work well with others and seemed to come off like one of his action-hero characters. Rather than making fun of himself, he appeared to be a little too serious in his sketches. This makes for some tense moments between him and players like Chris Farley. What could’ve been a hilarious episode becomes something of a trainwreck. Seagal is out of his element, unable to give himself over to the process. When even comedy legends can’t save you, you know you’ve messed up.


Did we forget another cringe moment from an “SNL” host? Let us know in the comments.