John Mulaney Joked That 2 FormerSNLHosts 'Committed Murder' in 50th Monologue. Who Did He Mean?

Mar. 15, 2025

Steve Martin and John Mulaney, pictured.Photo:Theo Wargo/NBC via Getty

Theo Wargo/NBC via Getty

InterpretingJohn Mulaney’sjoke is no laughing matter.

On Sunday, Feb. 16, the standup comedian, 42, turned his attention to the star-studded crowd at theSNL50: The Anniversary Specialafter roasting comedianSteve Martin, 79, as part of a monologue. Mulaney joked that the audience was filled with “some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life” before poking fun at others who flirted with a criminal record.

“Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hostedSaturday Night Live,and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder,” he said.

Viewers at home were quick to take to social media speculating about who he could’ve been referring to as he didn’t clarify before going on to complain about celebrity guests. Mulaney joked that the hosts throw “everything off for cast and crew," adding, “But not you, Steve [Martin]. Because you have no dynamic.”

O.J. Simpson, pictured, on Saturday Night Live.Getty Images

The formerSNLwriter and six-time host was most likely laughing at previous show hostsO.J. SimpsonandRobert Blake, although neither of them were convicted of murder.

Simpson— who hosted on Feb. 25, 1978 — was acquitted over the death of his ex-wifeNicole Brown Simpsonand her friend Ron Goldman in 1994. However, he was ordered to pay $33,500,000 in damages in 1997, having been found liable for the wrongful death of Goldman and battery of the pair in a civil lawsuit.

The former football player andNaked Gunactor died in April 2024 at 76.

Robert Blake, pictured, on SNL in 1982.NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

The actor was 89 at the time of his death in 2023.

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Alec Baldwin, pictured, on Saturday Night Live in 1991.Raymond Bonar/NBCU

Raymond Bonar/NBCU

SomeSNLviewers speculated that Mulaney’s joke could’ve been referring to 17-time hostAlec Baldwin.

Baldwin was among the celebrities who featured in theSNLanniversary special. Last month, he filed amalicious prosecution lawsuitfor “malicious abuse of process, intentional spoliation of evidence, defamation and violation of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.”

source: people.com