Typically, a musician’s role on Saturday Night Live is resigned to a couple of performances and, potentially, a cameo in a sketch. Not many musicians can boast being full-fledged hosts of the show. Find four musicians that can boast that feat–and who performed their hosting duties superbly–below.
4 of the Best Musicians That Have Hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’
1. Taylor Swift
(Hosted one time)
Videos by American Songwriter
Though Taylor Swift has only hosted SNL once, she has appeared on the show more than the average musician. Her first and only time hosting came in 2009. She wowed not only the audience, but the SNL cast members as well. It’s a testament to her comedy chops that she routinely makes cameos on the show. We hold out hope she will host another episode soon.
2. Justin Timberlake
(Hosted five times)
Justin Timberlake can count himself in the exclusive “Five-Timers Club.” Only a hand full of people have been called back to Studio 8H five times in the show’s run. Given his track record on the show, it’s not hard to see why. His most famous sketch for the show saw him give a very unique gift alongside Andy Samberg–you can revisit that, below. Timberlake is the textbook definition of a triple threat.
3. Donald Glover
(Hosted one time)
Videos by American Songwriter
Donald Glover proved he could shine as both an actor and a musician before he stepped on the SNL stage, but his appearance on the lauded sketch show cemented that claim. He used his comedy roots to great appeal here, delivering a deeply memorable episode. From faux ’80s music videos to court cases, Glover made quick work of his hosting duties.
4. Ariana Grande
(Hosted three times)
Every time Ariana Grande steps on the Studio 8H stage, she proves she’s an artist that can do it all. Of course, she makes use of her singing chops with powerful performances, but she has a shocking amount of stellar vocal impressions in her repertoire as well. She hits every comedic mark laid before her, rising to meet the skill level of the professional sketch comics joining her on stage. From spot-on impressions of Jennifer Coolidge, to parody songs, to the famed “Domingo” sketch, Grande is undoubtedly one of the best double duty hosts in recent memory.
(Photo by: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC)
More The List
-
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
Die deutsche Popsängerin Nena ("99 Luftballons") mit ihrer Band (l-r): Rolf Brendel (Schlagzeug), Nena, Jürgen Demel (Bass), Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen (Tasteninstrumente) und Carlo Karges (Gitarre). Aufnahme vom 22.03.1983. Foto: Jörg Schmitt dpa (Photo by Jörg Schmitt/picture alliance via Getty Images) -
UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 01: Posed group shot of English band The Troggs in 1966. L-R: Ronnie Bond (1940-1992), Reg Presley (1941-2013), Pete Staples and Chris Britton. (Photo by CA/Redferns) -
NITED STATES – JANUARY 01: Photo of Eric CLAPTON; performing live onstage, playing 'Blackie' Fender Stratocaster guitar, holding cigarette under guitar strings (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns) -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performing on stage at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, 23rd September 1971. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) -
Roth, David Lee; 24/03/1991; Ahoy'; Rotterdam, The Netherlands -
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers perform their hit duet "Islands In The Stream" at the CMT's 100 GREATEST DUETS concert. A celebration of the the Top 12 duets in country music history, the concert included live performances by 21 of country music?s biggest artists, including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Rogers, Trace Adkins, Terri Clark and more. The two-hour concert will round out a remarkable six-hour special, CMT 100 GREATEST DUETS, which airs on Saturday, September 17. (Photo by Ed Rode/WireImage)
