“Behind the Scenes: ‘SNL’ Alums Reflect on the Olympian Who Almost Hosted—‘My Favorite Host of All Time’”

Not every host on Saturday Night Live shines equally. In a recent episode of SiriusXM’s SNL on Stern Roundtable, comedians like Mikey Day, Ana Gasteyer, and Chris Kattan discussed their favorite hosts. This special episode came ahead of the much-anticipated SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.

During the discussion, Moynihan surprised everyone by claiming that Olympic skier Jonny Moseley, who hosted the show in March 2002, is his all-time favorite. “That’s my favorite host of all time,” he said, possibly half-joking.

Gasteyer chimed in with a funny memory about Moseley, recalling how he was booked despite not winning a medal. “I think he got booked and then he didn’t win the gold,” she said, highlighting the odd timing of the booking.

It’s worth noting that the 2002 Winter Olympics ended just days before Moseley hosted SNL. He had previously won gold in 1998, causing the show’s producers to likely expect another win. However, it didn’t turn out that way, as Janne Lahtela from Finland took home the gold in Utah.

On his episode, Moseley took on various roles: a game show host, a groom at a wild wedding, and of course, a skier. Beyond SNL, he became a recognizable face on TV by hosting The Challenge and co-hosting American Ninja Warrior.

Then Jon Lovitz shared his favorite former host, the beloved Tom Hanks. Hanks has vibed with the show multiple times—hosting ten times and making guest appearances even more.

Day mentioned pop star Ariana Grande as a great fit for the cast. Grande has hosted SNL twice and performed as a musical guest as well, making her a standout on the show.

Newman praised Charli XCX for her hosting skills. “She was terrific,” Newman said, showcasing the growing list of talented artists stepping into hosting roles.

In a fun closing note, Day suggested Howard Stern should try hosting. He humorously questioned how Stern would cope with the late-night schedule, but he believes Stern’s stature as a cultural figure makes him a deserving candidate.