Live from New York!Lists about Saturday Night Live cast members, hosts, musical acts, and backstage antics of America's favorite sketch comedy series, airing from 30 Rockefeller Plaza since 1975.
This list includes the oldest 'SNL' hosts ever. And it's pretty eye-opening. And, you know, totally geriatric. At this point, a dozen celebs 65 and older have graced the 'Saturday Night Live' stage as hosts. The list includes beloved actors, actresses, a controversial TV commentator, at least one politician - and a grandmother from New Orleans. Pretty impressive!
For now, it doesn't seem likely that anyone else will join this list - at least not in the short term. As 'SNL' heads into its 37th season, only Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy and Jimmy Fallon have been announced as hosts. A Facebook campaign to get Carol Burnett to host 'Saturday Night Live' (amazingly, she never has!) continues. If she does do it, the 78-year-old Burnett would become the 13th person over 65 to host!
From the sextagenarians to the octogenarians, enjoy this list. And be sure to vote for your favorite hosts!
Betty White is officially the oldest person ever to host 'Saturday Night Live.' After a Facebook campaign prompted 'SNL' to extend a hosting invitation, viewers rejoiced when White agreed.
Betty White graced the 'SNL' stage during the show's 35th season, on May 8, 2010, delivering a hilarious monologue, remarking that, "It's great to be here for a number of reasons." She also explains that now that she knows what Facebook is, she thinks it seems like a big waste of time. Great stuff from the classiest, funniest lady working in TV today!
Credits (TV): The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hot in Cleveland, Mama's Family, Match Game
Actress Ruth Gordon was 80 years old when she hosted 'SNL' on January 22, 1977. Her monologue is pretty good, though not nearly as snappy as Betty White's. She also appeared in several sketches, including 'The Litella Sisters at Home,' where she plays mommy to Gilda Radner's (annoying!) Emily Litella.
Major props for that particular episode's musical guest: Chuck Berry.
Credits (TV): Taxi, Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby, Adam's Rib, The Secret World of the Very Young
Does the name Miskel Spillman ring a bell? Probably not, but she is the second oldest person ever to host 'SNL.' Who is she? In 1977, Spillman won a special 'Saturday Night Live' "Anyone Can Host" contest. Entrants submitted essays to the show, and producer Lorne Michaels (along with 'SNL' cast members), picked the funniest. Spillman won and, on December 17, 1977, the 80-year-old grandmother from New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted the 'Saturday Night Live' Christmas special.
Charlton Heston was 70 years old when he hosted 'SNL' on December 4, 1993. The always brilliant Heston delivered a great monologue to an audience filled...with apes? He's not a mutant, dammit! He asks Lorne Michaels for help, to no avail. The apes are a great audience, after all...
Credits (TV): The Colbys, America 2-Night, Chiefs, Eco-Challenge, F.D.R.
At age 70, legendary comedian Milton Berle joined this list of oldest 'SNL' hosts ever - in a big, big way. Because Uncle Miltie also joined another 'Saturday Night Live' list after this show: The list of banned guests!
What happened? In short, Mr. Television took over. Completely. He upstaged the (much younger) cast, ad libbed at every opportunity, gave a horrific performance of 'September Song,' and generally looked like a total mess. Oh, and he also demonstrated some pretty "lewd backstage behavior," including trotting around in his underwear and flashing the crew (and cast member Gilda Radner). I could go on, but I won't. You get the idea. One of the oldest hosts ever for 'SNL,' and the oldest to officially be banned.
Credits (TV): Amazing Stories, Texaco Star Theater, Kraft Music Hall, The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, Jackpot Bowling
When Robert De Niro hosted 'Saturday Night Live,' he was 67 years old. The date was December 4, 2010, and De Niro did much more than host: He appeared in a slew of 'SNL' skits.
In this monologue, De Niro takes great issue with those who question his facts. Great issue. But he's just messing with you...
