Saturday Night Live writer Josh Patten is clearing up the lies, lies, lies.
Patten caused a stir March 30 by posting a photo of a Krispy Kreme truck to his Instagram Stories that he captioned “get me to God’s Country,” a clear reference to Morgan Wallen‘s viral post to his own Instagram Stories with the same caption over a private jet.
ICYMI, the “Last Night” hitmaker shared the photo right after abruptly leaving the SNL stage early following his appearance as the March 29 episode’s musical guest.
While many assumed Patten’s post was mocking the country star’s actions after appearing on the show, the Weekend Update writer later clarified that it just wasn’t that deep.
In follow-up posts to his Instagram Stories, Patten screenshotted a quote from country music outlet Whiskey Riff‘s coverage of his social media activity that posited, “Guessing Patten’s not a Morgan Wallen fan?” with an eye-roll emoji. On the next slide, he posted a screenshot of his most-played songs of 2023, which included no less than five songs by Wallen. He captioned the post, “How quickly the media forgets 2023.”
But Patten didn’t stop there. The writer—who is one of SNL‘s longest-tenured writers, having written for the sketch comedy series since 2012—then shared a photo of the Krispy Kreme store in Times Square on which he cheekily wrote, “Bravely standing up to Whiskey Riff dot com so that my children and grandchildren won’t have to.” (He also put Wallen’s song with Post Malone, “I Had Some Help,” over the Instagram Story.)
Patten continued to joke about the misunderstanding in his subsequent Instagram Stories, writing “WHILE I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION…” in big text before sharing a video of himself shooting a three-pointer on a basketball court set to Wallen’s song, “I Wrote The Book.”
The speculation that Wallen’s unusual exit likely also considered his history with Saturday Night Live, which he was uninvited to perform on in October 2020 after being seen partying at the University of Alabama days before he was scheduled to make his SNL debut amid the COVID pandemic. He would go on to make his debut two months later.
The speculation that Wallen’s unusual exit likely also considered his history with Saturday Night Live, which he was uninvited to perform on in October 2020 after being seen partying at the University of Alabama days before he was scheduled to make his SNL debut amid the COVID pandemic. He would go on to make his debut two months later.
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Keep reading for more memorable Saturday Night Live moments…
Kim Kardashian
The Kardashians star poked fun at her relationship with ex Kanye West, her connection to O.J. Simpson and her sister Kourtney Kardashian‘s PDA-heavy romance with now-husband Travis Barker. But she really took flight in an Aladdin-themed sketch that saw her kiss cast member Pete Davidson. The pair would go on to date for nine months.
Tom Hanks
With 10 hosting gigs under his belt—including the show’s first remotely-filmed episode back in April 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic—you know that when America’s Dad is in Studio 8H, you’re in for a wonderful time. Don’t believe us? We have just three words for you: David. S. Pumpkins.
Jon Hamm
Hamm left audiences stunned with his considerable comedic chops when he hosted for the first time in 2008. He’s has sinced followed up two more times and has had a handful of surprise cameos.
From his unforgettable “Jon Hamm’s John Ham” sketch—you know, lunch meat you eat on the toilet—to his live-action Ace in an adaptation of the iconic Ambiguously Gay Duo animated sketch, he’s ingratiated himself with cast in a way few other hosts ever have.
Melissa McCarthy
There is arguably no one on this planet more committed to their craft than the Bridesmaids legend. Case in point? The “Taste Test” sketch in her first at bat as host, back in 2011, when she covered herself in Hidden Valley ranch dressing for a gag.
In less than a decade, she’s already joined the infamous Five-Timers Club, and even began making semi-regular appearances a particularly enraged Sean Spicer during his brief tenure in the Trump administration.
Justin Timberlake
Nearly every celeb on this list could’ve become a full-time cast member on SNL, easily. And for a time there, it seemed like JT actually might. From “Omletteville,” “D–k in a Box,” and “Barry Gibb Talk Show” to “Mother Lover,” each of Timberlake’s five appearances as host made moments that permeated pop culture. And his appearance as one of Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies” back-up dancers alongside Bobby Moynihan and Andy Samberg? Amazing.
Steve Martin
There are few people who have hosted SNL more than the legendary comedian—in fact, there’s only one—and in his 16 stints in Studio 8H between 1976 and 2009, he created memorable characters (the “wild and crazy” Festrunk Brothers, King Tut) and delivered what would become one of the show’s most heartfelt moments, honoring Gilda Radner‘s passing from cancer with a look back at a blissful dance the two shared through the studio.
Scarlett Johansson
Not only is ScarJo part of the SNL family thanks to her romance with Colin Jost, but the six-time host has created some indelible moments over the years since her debut in 2006.
She’s been on hand for whenever the show needed someone to step into Ivanka Trump‘s shoes, appeared in the grotesque Shud the Mermaid sketch opposite Kate McKinnon and played Lexi (daughter to Fred Armisen‘s Mark) as the duo hawk chandeliers, ceramic busts, marble columns and porcelain fountains in the fan-favorite sketch.
Betty White
Unlike everyone else on this list (save for Kim Kardashian), the late TV icon only hosted SNL once. And, at 88 years old, she became the show’s oldest host in its history. The appearance was made even more special because it was literally fan-demanded through a successful Facebook campaign after White’s role in The Proposal.
She’s also on this list because, well, she was freaking hilarious. Our favorite sketch from the episode is this absurd one where Tina Fey‘s census taker tries, in vain, to get a straight answer out of White.
Dwayne Johnson
A member of the Five Timer’s Club, Johnson earned his spot on this list the minute he agreed to do The Rock Obama. Enough said.
Alec Baldwin
With 17 official hosting gigs on his resume and countless appearances as former President Donald Trump, Baldwin may be the only star not officially on the payroll who is more closely associated with SNL.
From classics like Canteen Boy and Schweddy Balls to impressions of Tony Bennett and, yes, Trump, Baldwin has given fans so much during his many, many visits to Studio 8H.
