Here are my host hopefuls for the year. None have hosted before:
Catherine O’Hara
Catherine as the season opener, please. She’s over-qualified, Schitt’s Creek is ending, and I’d love to see what she comes up with.
Harvey Guillén
My sweet darling Guillermo muffin. What We Do in the Shadows is a lovely comedy free for all in the Gothic fashion. He’d kill it.
Robin Thede
Robin is busy with her own sketch show, but I had to include her here. When thinking of SNL hosts, she deserves to be offered the stage.
Benedict Wong
This has been a long time coming. He has a stage pedigree, superhero movie experience, and a brilliant deadpan. All the best SNL host components.
Julio Torres
Los Espookys was creepy good. Better, it was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in years. He was also just recently a staff writer, so he already knows how to host.
Natasha Leggero
Sticking to my process of adding hosts that are also strong comedy writers. Leggero is biting and sparkly. I love it.
LaKeith Stanfield
Here is a young talent that draws your focus. Even as a minor character in Knives Out, he gives a well rounded character that you want to see more of. When he’s the main character, you also want to see more of him. He could sell even the most ridiculous of skits.
Paula Pell
This. Woman. An SNL writing great that lights up any screen she’s on. Have you seen A.P. Bio? Have you seen her majesty on late night shows? We all need more of her.
Timothy Olyphant
Why not?
Zachary Levi
Having experience doing Broadway musicals gives Levi a Groundlings Plus rating. That is my opinion, and I stand by it.
Ming-Na Wen
The things that SNL could write around Ming-Na. Disney, Action, Badassness, Romance, and of course Comedy. It’s rare that the writers get to play with a host that can do so much.
Ewan McGregor
His eyes tell jokes. Dirty, hilarious, soul-shattering jokes. Just with his eyes. Let’s explore that.
Nicole Byer
We need more lady stand-ups on the SNL stage, and you do not get better than Nicole.
Gabriel Luna
This is a beautifully talented human. Gabriel ruled as Ghost Rider, and everything else that he has done.
Rose Byrne
My instincts tell me that Rose would be a top-tier host. Most of those instincts are from watching her in Spy.
John Cho
SNL is a tough experience to conquer. A certain kind of talent can skewer it right between the eyes. That is Cho.
Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey has always been incredible, but her work in Legion is beyond. SNL should offer itself up as her playground.
Taika Waititi
I just want to see what he would do. It would be amazing.
Issa Rae
She’s been a showrunner and talent for years, so this needs to happen already. Showrunner is even better than having writing skills, which she also has.
Keanu Reeves
The scurf-meister. The man of all talents. The dearth of Keanu on SNL is criminal.