Actor Steven Seagal stands out as one of the worst hosts in the history of Saturday Night Live, according to former SNL cast member David Spade.
Speaking on Rob Lowe’s Literally!
podcast, Spade shared insights into Seagal’s time on the show, highlighting how the actor’s demeanor clashed with the essence of SNL, leading to conflicts with the cast and crew over sketches.
Spade noted that Seagal’s aloof attitude and insistence on maintaining his tough-guy persona made it difficult for him to connect with the show’s spirit.
Back in April 1991, Seagal, fresh off the successes of Hard to Kill and Marked for Death, was chosen to host SNL.
However, the experience quickly turned sour.
Reports have circulated for years about Seagal being a challenging presence on set, disregarding cue cards and improvising during his monologue.
The episode was said to have been such a disaster that SNL creator Lorne Michaels purportedly banned Seagal from ever returning to the show.
Spade has not shied away from discussing Seagal’s tough nature in the past, having previously mentioned it on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in 2015.
During his recent appearance on the Literally!
With Rob Lowe podcast, Spade delved deeper into the difficulties encountered while working with Seagal.
Reflecting on the 1991 SNL episode, Spade humorously remarked on Seagal’s tight ponytail that night but acknowledged that the actor had been pleasant to him personally.
Sharing his perspective on collaborating with guest hosts, Spade emphasized the importance of trust and mutual respect among the SNL team and hosts.
He highlighted that the aim is not to mock the hosts but to create successful comedic moments together.
Spade pointed out that hosts who can laugh at themselves often benefit the most from the show, contrasting this approach with Seagal’s resistance to engaging in physical comedy or light-hearted sketches.
Spade recounted a specific instance where the writers had planned a humorous bit involving Seagal performing kung-fu moves, only to have the actor refuse to participate in the physical gags.
This reluctance placed additional strain on the creative process and led to tension during other sketch rehearsals.
Spade expressed frustration at the barriers imposed by some hosts, like Seagal, who preferred to communicate through intermediaries rather than directly engaging with the SNL team.
For those interested, David Spade’s full interview on the Literally!
With Rob Lowe podcast offers further insights into the challenges faced during Seagal’s SNL hosting stint.
The episode serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in creating successful live comedy and the importance of collaboration and flexibility in such endeavors.
Fans can catch Saturday Night Live on various streaming platforms for a dose of comedic relief and entertainment.
