15 Music Stars That Have Hosted Saturday Night Live

By ETCanada.com Staff. 20 Dec 2014 3:03 AM

In honour of Lady Gaga making the leap from Saturday Night Live musical guest to SNL host, here’s a look at 15 other stars from the world of music that were handed the show’s hosting reigns. Reminder: Not every host has Justin Timberlake’s unique set of skills.

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Miley Cyrus
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Host: Miley CyrusNumber Of Appearances As Host: 2 (Mar. 5, 2011 & Oct. 5, 2013)We're only one month removed from when Mley came in like a wrecking ball (WORDPLAY!) for her sophomore SNL hosting gig. The Bangerz singer had no problem sending up her public image on the show, both as a tween icon and as a controversy magnet with a penchant for culture co-opting. Miley also busted out some Michele Bachmann impersonation realness in a sketch spoofing both her "We Can't Stop" video and the U.S. government shutdown.
Justin Timberlake
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Host: Justin TimberlakeNumber Of Appearances As Host: 5 (Oct. 11, 2003, Dec. 16, 2006, May 9, 2009, May 21, 2011 & March 9, 2013)A member of the famous "Five Timers Club," Justin Timberlake has become such a beloved host that his appearances on the program have an event-type quality to them. Heck, he even has more recurring characters than a lot of cast members do in their entire run on the show. Dude helped facilitate making "D*ck In A Box" a part of the pop cultural lexicon. That's no easy feat. You couldn't trust JC Chasez with that responsibility.
Justin Bieber
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Host: Justin BieberNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Feb. 9, 2013)Do you cherish the sound of hysterical screaming during sketches? Well then, this was the show for you! Justin Bieber's fans were out in full force in February to watch their hero host an episode of NBC's long running variety show. On that week's broadcast, Bieber popped up on "The Miley Cyrus Show" as Miley Cyrus superfan Pete DeFalco and also rounded out the cast in an instalment of "The Californians."
Adam Levine
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Host: Adam LevineNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Jan. 26, 2013)Network synergy all up in this place! NBC's Adam Levine (judge on The Voice when he's not singing with Maroon 5) moved from primetime to hanging out with the not ready for primetime players in 2013, hosting the show and leaving musical guest duties to Kendrick Lamar. The oft-shirtless frontman appeared in a "Digital Short" with The Lonely Island and also made fun of his wuss rock persona in a bar fight sketch featuring cast members playing Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Train's Pat Monahan.
Bruno Mars
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Host: Bruno MarsNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Oct. 20, 2012)Not just anybody gets to appear in a sketch with a visiting Tom Hanks, but Bruno Mars enjoyed that honour in 2012. Like most pop star hosts, Mars also pulled double duty serving as the musical guest. If you've ever wanted to watch the dude that sings "Locked Out Of Heaven" wear an eyepatch and pull faces while talking about yetis, this episode's got what you're looking for. (It's an odd thing to be looking for, though.)
Mick Jagger/Rolling Stones
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Host: Mick Jagger/Rolling StonesNumber Of Appearances As Host: 2 (Rolling Stones hosted on Oct. 7, 1978, Mick Jagger hosted solo on May 19, 2012)Mick Jagger's popped up on SNL a number of times. He's been a frequent musical guest and he's also hosted the program. Mick first hosted the show in tandem with the Rolling Stones in 1978 and decades later he was given the reigns to handle hosting solo. The famous frontman's later hosting gig came on the night of Kristen Wiig's last episode as cast member. The episode ended with Mick sharing a dance with Wiig to a rendition of "She's A Rainbow/Ruby Tuesday" performed by Arcade Fire and the show's band.
Katy Perry
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Host: Katy PerryNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Dec. 10, 2011)Katy Perry has a number of SNL appearances under her belt, including a hosting appearance in 2011. During her hosting stint, Katy played a J-Pop obsessive, a political analyst and an ultra boorish Pippa Middleton. Katy also made her way into a sketch in 2010 (she was the musical guest flanking Amy Poehler's return as host) that parodied the hysteria surrounding the pop star's shelved appearance on Sesame Street.
Elton John
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Host: Elton JohnNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Apr. 2, 2011)Elton John encountered the "unique" charms of Kristen Wiig's Dooneese Maheralle character during his appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2011. The "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" singer also poked fun at his knighthood, gay stereotypes and his connection to the Royal Family during his performance on the show.
Jennifer Lopez
FanPop/NBC/Global
Host: Jennifer LopezNumber Of Appearances As Host: 2 (Feb. 10, 2001 & Feb. 27, 2010)Considering Jennifer Lopez has a bit more acting experience than most of the performers in this round-up, it's not particularly surprising that she's hosted multiple times. J Lo strutted her stuff in such roles as a nun in a telenovela, a rival to Chris Kattan's male stripper character Mango and a host on Good Morning Bronx.
Ludacris
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Host: LudacrisNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Nov. 18, 2006)One year removed from his appearance as a musical guest on the show (backed by Sum 41 BCUZ IT WUZ THE AUGHTS DUDE), Ludacris graduated to getting the hosting gig in 2006. Characters played by Luda on that night's broadcast included Dr. Archibald Bitchslap, hypeman to the stars Young Douglas and a lifeguard hampered by his collection of prized jewellery.
Janet Jackson
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Host: Janet JacksonNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Apr. 14, 2004)Well, of course they were going to reference "Nipplegate" during Janet Jackson's hosting stint on the show. Janet spoofed the two-month-old incident during the show's cold open while playing the role of Condoleezza Rice. (Sketches rarely get more 2004-y than that.) The "Together Again" pop star also appeared in sketches that poked fun at Good Times, Prince and a very vocal set of Janet fans.
Christina Aguilera
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Host: Christina AguileraNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Feb. 21, 2004)Long before Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine appeared together on The Voice and for "Moves Like Jagger," they both shared billing on a February 2004 episode of Saturday Night Live. (Maroon 5 performed the role of musical guest and Christina served as host.) Christina showed off her acting chops on the show, busting out a Kim Cattrall impression for a Sex and the City sketch and popping up onscreen in a telenovela spoof.
Britney Spears
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Host: Britney SpearsNumber Of Appearances As Host: 2 (May 13, 2000 & Feb. 2, 2002)Britney Spears made a pair of hosting appearances on Saturday Night Live in the 00s. The former Mouseketeer co-starred in sketches with such recurring characters as Brian Fellows, Gemini's Twin and the Boston Teens. It's actually been quite a while since we've seen Britney on the show in a non-impersonation capacity. Her last appearance was in 2003, serving as a musical guest while Halle Berry took on the role of host.
(MC) Hammer
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Host: (MC) HammerNumber Of Appearances As Host: 1 (Dec. 7, 1991)Hammer dropped the "MC" part of his name by the time he was tapped to host SNL. The rapper was riding high at the time, enjoying the success of "2 Legit 2 Quit," as well as his contribution to the Addams Family soundtrack. (Yes, that was a thing that happened.) Hammer's monologue was interrupted by Michael Jackson (played by Chris Rock) who wanted to take the rapper up on his challenge of a dance-off. Hammer declined.
Paul Simon
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Host: Paul SimonNumber Of Appearances As Host: 5 (Oct. 18, 1975, Nov. 20, 1976, Mar. 15, 1980, May 10, 1986 & Dec. 19 1987)Justin Timberlake's not the only star from the world of music that has gained admittance into the "Five Timers Club." Paul Simon accomplished the feat of five hosting appearances back in 1987 and the singer has an impressive body of sketch work to go with it. Simon hosted Saturday Night Live's second ever episode, a broadcast that included the unforgettable segment where the diminutive folkie went head-to-head with ABA/NBA star power forward Connie Hawkins in a game of one-on-one soundtracked by "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard."

15 Music Stars That Have Hosted Saturday Night Live

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