Despite people’s perception of the show, Saturday Night Live has remained a late-night staple for 46 seasons. Being asked to host the television institution is still a major coup for anyone – singers, actors, sports figures or media personalities. But, some people have passed up the opportunity for assorted reasons. One such person is America’s favorite home maven, Martha Stewart. She explained why she’s still really pissed about having to say no to hosting SNL.
Martha Stewart’s media career has been filled with many opportunities since Martha Stewart Living reigned supreme in the 1990s. Now, Stewart's had a hand in every form of media from publishing to television to home décor. But, late-night sketch comedy hasn’t been one of them, despite many after hours talk show appearances. Harper's Bazaar interviewed the domestic doyenne for its March issue. The conversation turned to her prison stint before talking about her one big regret:
My only big regret that I can talk about is that Saturday Night Live asked me to host. My probation officer wouldn’t give me the time. That really pissed me off because I would have loved to have hosted Saturday Night Live. I’d like that on my résumé.
Unfortunately, Martha Stewart lost out on a prime opportunity to host the beloved show over some legal hang-ups. Keep in mind, hosting Saturday Night Live isn’t the same thing as losing out on a job or financial opportunity. But, not being able to host SNL still clearly hurts Stewart to this day, as evident by her words. Given Stewart’s humor on television and social media, she would’ve been at the job, even after her time in jail. If America’s sweetheart Betty White could host SNL in her 80s, then the home maven still has time to host the late-night staple.
Despite never hosting Saturday Night Live, Martha Stewart hasn’t missed out on many crazy television antics. She teamed up with rap legend Snoop Dogg for the popular VH1 series Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Their show has moments that can match SNL’s energy. Her prison stint and friendship with Snoop Dogg introduced Stewart to a new generation and demographic.
That said, Martha Stewart would still be a great SNL host, given the caliber of hosts the show has brought on lately. Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy, Oscar winner Regina King and Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page have all brought their star power to the series lately.
Not hosting SNL may be a huge regret for Martha Stewart, but she still has plenty of time to fulfill that dream. Anyone can relate to Stewart’s regret over missing what seems to be a prime opportunity. But looking back on it, and given her circumstances, that just might not have been the right time to take on such as massive, time-consuming gig.
