Image Credit: NBCJon Hamm and his john ham are hosting SNL again this weekend. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday he was hosting for the first time? This’ll be Hamm’s third time hosting in two years. Yes, that’s pretty often to host.
When SNL first started, hosts repeated during a season all the time. Candice Bergen hosted episodes a mere six weeks apart in the first season, and Elliot Gould and Buck Henry each hosted twice that first season as well; Henry went on to host twice a season for the first five years. Steve Martin hosted three times in season 3, and it wasn’t until season 6 that SNL made it a full season without repeating a host. (That season was shortened by a writers’ strike and also by being kind of awful, though.)
I’m going to define the “modern” era of SNL as after 1988 (following another writers’ strike). Including that 14th season, Hamm’s, uh, refractory period is the third-shortest: Ben Affleck hosted in March and October of 2004, just 203 days apart. Phil Hartman hosted episodes 245 days apart in 1996, and Hamm ties with John Goodman at a mere 273 days between hosting gigs. Both Alec Baldwin and Dane Cook have gone as little as 301 days between hosting, though Baldwin has hosted SNL an average of once every 523 days for the last 20 years. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the fastest re-booked female host, with 308 days between her 2006 and 2007 appearances.
What does this all mean? Well, with a little patience and determination, you can make an Excel spreadsheet about anything! Other than that, not much. Hamm’s a terrific host, and it’s not like Mad Men‘s losing social currency. But if you, like I, thought it seemed fast, you were right.
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It may be his 3rd time in two years, but when this season of SNL started I was hoping we would get some more John Hamm. WOOT!!! Just wish I could have more Hamm & Buble.
Right? Hamm & Buble (or Bubbly!) was the best sketch of last year, hands down.
He does a good job when he’s there – what more can you ask for? I’d rather have some repeat a lot than have a bunch of people who don’t need to be there.
Exactly.
Pretty sure I pointed out when this booking was first announced that he hosted the last two years too, and I’m tired of him getting all the SNL love. Don’t get me wrong, he does a great job on the show and he’s super hot, but why him of all people to repeat that often? Get Taylor Swift or Justin Timberlake back first, then give me some Jon Hamm.
Ok, Justin Timberlake, YES PLEASE!!
but T-Swift? Yaaaawwwwnnnn
In all honesty, it seems like Hamm is being set up to be the next Baldwin or Martin (i.e. frequent hoster) on SNL. I don’t mind, though. I think he’s fabulous.
So far he’s batting 1.000 so it’s hard to get worked up about him coming back so soon.
Still, I wouldn’t have Hamm (or anyone else) host more than once a season. It’s just as, if not more, important for funny/talented people who’ve never hosted SNL to get a shot, which is kind of how we learned that Hamm was great at this in the first place.
They need to rebook Betty White just as quickly.
Better yet, get Betty White and Alec Baldwin on the same night…and make sure they do a NPR sketch!!
really wish they would branch out and get new people to host
How about another Mad Men actor? John Slattery could host or Vincent Kartheiser
Either of them would be great.
…or Janurary Jones. Oh..
January*
LIke I’ve said a billion times, her boyfriend Jason Sudeikis better not try to get her to host again.
I think Slattery would be great! Wish they could make that happen!
Yes to Slattery! I wish Elizabeth Moss would’ve hosted, but I feel like she won’t until Fred Armisen leaves.
I’d guess Christina Hendricks is the most likely future host from Mad Men, though Slattery is a good candidate too.
I’d like to get Hamm and Timberlake both into the Five Timers Club, at a minimum. Maybe they can even time it where they have a joint initiation ceremony with Martin, Baldwin, Hanks etc.
Oh, I think you just served up a potentially fabulous skit! Of course, these current writers would make a hash of it but the idea is perfect….
I love that skit. “There’s Paul Simon!” “Where?”
Maybe I’m biased because I love him so, but each time Jon’s hosted it’s been my favorite episode of the season (sorry Betty White). I do wish former recurring host Tom Hanks would host again…he was great as himself a season or two ago.
I loved both of Jon Hamm’s previous stints, and I’m sure he’ll do great this time around. I would like to see more variety, though. And not just people who you think of as “funny.” In my experience, the genuinely funny hosts are the ones most known in a non-comedic contexts (like, say, Hamm) and the ones that are known mostly for comedy tend to fall flat (that painful Jack Black episode at Christmas a few years back).
I’m one of those who would rather have the really good hosts more often; I’d rather have the variety in the sketches. I still have Hamm’s last appearance from January on my DVR. Sergio!
SERGIO!
I still laugh whenever I think of Hamm & Buble