Ryan Reynolds’ Saturday Night Live Joke: Alleged Joke Originator Denied by SNL
Introduction:
During the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL), actor Ryan Reynolds delivered a joke alluding to the ongoing legal battle between his wife, Blake Lively, and actor Justin Baldoni. The joke sparked controversy, with some fans criticizing it as manipulative and attention-grabbing. Now, the claim that Reynolds originated the joke has been refuted by an SNL representative.
Alleged Origin of the Joke:
Wally Feresten, a veteran SNL staffer known for holding the cue cards during live shows, asserted on the "Fifi, Fev and Nick" podcast that Reynolds had pitched the joke during rehearsals. Feresten stated, "He had a different line in rehearsal, and he pitched that to replace it."
Feresten claimed that Reynolds had asked to alter the original line, stating, "We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it." He then added, "So, yeah, that was his line. That was his idea to do."
Denial by SNL and Reynolds:
However, representatives for both Reynolds and SNL have denied Feresten’s claim. Fox News Digital also confirmed that Feresten is not directly involved in the writing or creative process of SNL.
Fan Reactions to the Joke:
The joke, which referenced the public legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, garnered mixed reactions from fans. Some criticized the couple for using the SNL platform for personal drama, while others defended their humor.
An anonymous Reddit user commented, "Given this results in an awkward moment… I don’t think this was planned at all. I think Ryan’s attention-hungry nonsense caused him to take the chance to go for it."
On the other hand, another user wrote, "I thought it was funny. Yall are too serious."
Ongoing Legal Battle between Lively and Baldoni:
The joke stemmed from the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence, and other offenses. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, alleging civil extortion and defamation.
Despite an attempt to resolve the legal dispute out of court, both parties remain steadfast in their claims. Lively has recently filed an amended complaint alleging the involvement of other actresses who have experienced similar misconduct on Baldoni’s film set.
Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding the Ryan Reynolds joke at the SNL 50th anniversary special highlights the complex intersection of celebrity, media, and legal proceedings. While Feresten’s claim has been denied by SNL and Reynolds, the joke has sparked debate about the appropriateness of personal drama on the public platform of Saturday Night Live.
