Ryan Reynolds and the Controversial SNL Sketch: A Look into the Backlash
At the highly anticipated Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary event, celebrity couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively solidified their status as Hollywood powerhouses, making a grand entrance amid ongoing legal drama. Known for their global popularity since their days on Green Lantern, the couple has been at the center of public scrutiny due to Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against her co-star, Justin Baldoni, from the film It Ends With Us.
Ryan Reynolds’ Spontaneous Joke
During SNL‘s 50th anniversary special, Reynolds, known for his dry wit, participated in a sketch with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. When asked, “Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?” he responded with, “Great! Why, what have you heard?” This joke, while in character, sparked a fierce debate among viewers about the appropriateness of such humor given Lively’s lawsuit.
The SNL Crew’s Revelation
During a recent podcast appearance on Fifi, Fev & Nick, SNL crew member Chris “Wally” Feresten shed light on the spontaneity of Reynolds’ joke. Feresten, who has been with the show for 35 years, revealed that while the sketch used an abundance of cue cards—around 3,000 in total—Reynolds improvised his response. According to Feresten, “That was actually… He had a different line in rehearsal, and he pitched that to replace it. So that was his idea to do it.”
Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer’s Criticism
Despite Feresten’s explanation, the backlash against Reynolds continued, particularly from Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman. Freedman expressed his surprise at Reynolds’s humor in light of his wife’s lawsuit, stating, “I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation. I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.”
Blake Lively’s Amended Lawsuit
Amid the debate, Blake Lively took a significant step by amending her lawsuit on February 18. In her new filing, she added two new defendants: Jed Wallace, who has since filed his own lawsuit against her, and his public relations company. Lively’s amended lawsuit includes a new claim of defamation and cites additional instances where Baldoni reportedly made sexist or chauvinistic remarks on set, according to TheWrap.
Lively’s Counteraccusations
Lively also denied Baldoni’s claims that she had taken over the film. In a statement within her amended lawsuit, she noted, “Although Mr. Baldoni privately confessed that he did not even see the final cut of the Film until the premiere, he repeatedly and publicly took credit for the Film, while Ms. Lively generally downplayed her contributions.” Lively’s involvement in various aspects of the film, such as selecting the soundtrack and costumes, has further fueled the controversy.
The Film’s Controversial Cast Credits
During the film’s press tour, Lively took credit for numerous elements of It Ends With Us, including the soundtrack, which featured Taylor Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet,” and the costumes, which mostly consisted of her and Ryan Reynolds’ personal wardrobes. These claims have added depth to the legal and public controversy surrounding the film.
The Significance of It Ends With Us
It Ends With Us
- Release Date
- August 9, 2024
- Runtime
- 130 Minutes
- Director
- Justin Baldoni
- Writers
- Christy Hall, Colleen Hoover
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Justin Baldoni
Ryle Kincaid
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s involvement in It Ends With Us has taken a dramatic turn with the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live. While Reynolds’ joke was conceded to have been improvised, it has only intensified the public debate about their responses to the legal and professional challenges posed by the lawsuit.
The film itself continues to make headlines, with Lively taking credit for numerous creative decisions, which some believe highlights her role in the film’s production despite Baldoni’s directorial responsibilities. As the legal battles unfold, the couple’s public appearances and statements will likely continue to shape the narrative around the film and their relationship.
