Eddie Murphy. Steve Carrell. J.J. Watt?
The Texans star is next to enter the pretty exclusive club of pro athletes to host "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday, Feb. 1. Some have been memorable, others … less so.
J.J. Watt is hosting SNL on Saturday — and he has a lot of studying to do. pic.twitter.com/reVvZaKDQO
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 30, 2020
For every Peyton Manning, there's been countless Michael Phelps. There's been no clear formula for who succeeds on the show and who doesn't, but not for lack of NBC's trying. In all, there have been 32 different professional athletes to host "SNL" in 882 episodes to air on NBC in the 45-year run of the show.
Given Watt's personality, it seems like he could definitely be one of the better sports stars to host the show in some time, and he's the first since pro athlete to host the show since Charles Barkley in 2018, and the 12th football player to get behind the mic.
J.J. Watt joins list of athletes to host 'SNL'
| Athlete | Episode | Air date | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fran Tarkenton | Season 2, Episode 13 | Jan. 29, 1977 | Football |
| O.J. Simpson | Season 3, Episode 12 | Feb. 25, 1978 | Football |
| Bill Russell | Season 5, Episode 3 | Nov. 3, 1979 | Basketball |
| John Madden | Season 7, Episode 10 | Jan. 30, 1982 | Football |
| Bob Uecker | Season 10, Episode 2 | Oct. 13, 1984 | Baseball |
| Alex Karras | Season 10, Episode 12 | Feb. 2, 1985 | Football |
| Hulk Hogan | Season 10, Episode 15 | March 30, 1985 | Pro wrestling |
| Marvin Hagler | Season 11, Episode 17 | May 17, 1986 | Boxer |
| Billy Martin | Season 11, Episode 18 | May 24, 1986 | Baseball |
| Joe Montana | Season 12, Episode 9 | Jan. 24, 1987 | Football |
| Walter Payton | Season 12, Episode 9 | Jan 24. 1987 | Football |
| Carl Weathers | Season 13, Episode 10 | Jan. 13, 1988 | Football |
| Wayne Gretzky | Season 14, Episode 19 | May 13, 1989 | Hockey |
| Chris Evert | Season 15, Episode 5 | Nov. 11, 1989 | Tennis |
| Michael Jordan | Season 17, Episode 1 | Sept. 28, 1991 | Basketball |
| Charles Barkley* | Season 19, Episode 1 | Sept. 25, 1993 | Basketball |
| Nancy Kerrigan | Season 19, Episode 15 | March 12, 1994 | Figure skating |
| George Foreman | Season 20, Episode 9 | Dec. 17, 1994 | Boxing |
| Deion Sanders | Season 20, Episode 13 | Feb. 18, 1995 | Football/baseball |
| The Rock** | Season 25, Episode 15 | March 18, 2000 | Pro wrestling |
| Derek Jeter | Season 27, Episode 11 | Dec. 1, 2001 | Baseball |
| Jonny Moseley | Season 27, Episode 13 | March 3, 2002 | Olympic skiing |
| Jeff Gordon | Season 28, Episode 9 | Jan. 11, 2003 | NASCAR driver |
| Andy Roddick | Season 29, Episode 5 | Nov. 8, 2003 | Tennis |
| Tom Brady | Season 30, Episode 17 | April 16, 2005 | Football |
| Lance Armstrong | Season 31, Episode 4 | Oct. 29, 2005 | Cycling |
| Peyton Manning | Season 32, Episode 16 | March 24, 2007 | Football |
| LeBron James | Season 33, Episode 1 | Sept. 29, 2007 | Basketball |
| Michael Phelps | Season 34, Episode 1 | Sept. 13. 2008 | Swimming |
| Eli Manning | Season 37, Episode 11 | May 5, 2012 | Football |
| John Cena | Season 42, Episode 9 | Dec. 10, 2016 | Pro wrestling |
| J.J. Watt | Season 45, Episode 12 | Feb. 1, 2020 | Football |
*Barkley would host three more episodes of "SNL."
**The Rock would host four more episodes of "SNL."
Best 'SNL' athlete sketches
Peyton Manning: United Way
No surprise here. Manning has made a second career out of commercials and endorsements, and his true range as an actor was on display in this 2007 SNL digital short.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "Get your head out of your ass! You suck!" I could retire comfortably in Lake Como, Italy.
Joe Montana and Walter Payton: Church Talk
The best part about this sketch starring the great Dana Carvey, is that Montana and Payton were barely able to keep it together.
Reminder: Sunday is the Satan Bowl. I mean Super Bowl. Well, isn't that special?
Derek Jeter: Point, counter-point
Seth Myers with the perfect impersonation of baseball Twitter in this sketch.
Derek Jeter: Yankee wives
No. 2 for No. 2: The iconic image of him in a wig and lipstick is everlasting.
The Rock: Mr. Peepers and Papa Peepers
I wonder if this Dwayne Johnson guy has a career in Hollywood.
Eli Manning: Embarrassing text
Manning and his "aw, shucks" demeanor couldn't really touch what brother Peyton had done on the show five years earlier, and that's what makes this sketch pretty good: Manning was probably playing himself.
Michael Jordan: Daily Affirmation
Some years before "Space Jam" entered pop culture's consciousness for eternity, Jordan hosted an episode of "SNL." "His Airness" wasn't all that bad on the show, and how he held it together in this sketch is stuff of legend.
Tom Brady: Touchdown at the Carnival
OK, this one isn't that funny, but it's entertaining to watch Tom Brady miss throw after throw, even if it's by design.