How John Mulaney's 'Uncomfortable' Hosting Experience Changed His SNL Approach
Comedian John Mulaney is known in large part for his comedy specials, such as the recent "Baby J," which was released on Netflix in April 2023 and chronicles his stay at rehab for drug addiction. He's also known for his work on "Saturday Night Live," where he worked as a writer from 2008 to 2012. After leaving the show, he has returned to host the show five times — in 2018, 2019, twice in 2020, and once more in 2022 — making him a member of the show's exclusive Five-Timers Club of individuals who have hosted the show five times or more (other members include Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, and Paul Rudd).
With five hosting gigs under his belt, Mulaney has learned a thing or two about headlining the popular sketch comedy show. In fact, one of the times he hosted was so uncomfortable that he changed his entire approach to hosting "SNL." During the June 2023 comedy actors roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter, Mulaney explained how a negative hosting experience led him to rethink how he wanted to host in the future.
Mulaney said, "The second time I hosted Saturday Night Live, I thought, 'I agonized over the whole week, and then we had a good show but it was so uncomfortable,' and I wanted to enjoy it so much more."
Mulaney used to think you had to wear yourself out to have a good show
During the roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter, the group of actors — which also included Steven Yeun of "Beef" and Tyler James Williams of "Abbott Elementary" — got to talking about the presence of worry while creating something. This led to John Mulaney explaining how his outlook on it has changed over the years.
Mulaney said, "I certainly was someone who thought, like, you have to really be uncomfortable throughout the whole process and really be tired and really be sort of bone weary and then you'll get this jewel, you know. And it just was trial and error." He found that that method wasn't exactly working for him, so after his second time hosting "Saturday Night Live," he switched gears and tried to enjoy the experience more.
The comedian continued, "[I thought] this time I am okay having a bad show if I just have fun, relax [and] enjoy all the people I get to see again and work with. And then the show went well."