All The Banned Guest In Saturday Night Live And Why

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a launching pad for many celebrities, but not every guest has enjoyed a warm welcome. Over its nearly half-century run, SNL has banned a handful of guests for various reasons, ranging from controversial performances to outright mistreatment of the show’s cast and crew. Let’s delve into the stories of 15 banned guests who left a lasting mark on SNL, and not in a good way.

While SNL has hosted numerous unforgettable moments, these banned guests left a distinct mark for their controversial actions, offensive humor, or outright defiance. As SNL continues its legacy, the stories of these banned guests serve as cautionary tales of the consequences of pushing the boundaries too far on live television

Steven Seagal

Known for his action prowess, Seagal’s stiff demeanor and lack of comedy didn’t align with SNL’s spirit. Refusing to make fun of himself and criticizing the cast led to his ban. Former cast member Tim Meadows noted, “He just wasn’t funny, and he was very critical of the cast and the writing staff.”

Kanye West

In 2018, West’s extEnded speech about Donald Trump and “Make America Great Again” went beyond the stage. As the cameras stopped rolling, West continued his tirade backstage, criticizing SNL’s reaction. The rapper has been banned ever since.

Cypress Hill

Known for blending rock and hip-hop, Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs lit a joint on stage during their 1993 performance, defying SNL rules. The act resulted in an immediate ban from the show.

Sinead O’Connor

In 1992, O’Connor tore a picture of Pope John Paul II during her performance, protesting sexual abuse within the Catholic church. This controversial act led to a lifetime ban from SNL.

Rage Against the Machine

Booked on the same night as conservative host Steve Forbes, Rage protested subtly by hanging an upside-down American flag. After their performance of “Bulls on Parade,” they were informed they wouldn’t be allowed a second song. The ban persists.

Adrien Brody

Oscar winner Brody caused a stir by improvising during his introduction of musical guest Sean Paul. His fake dreadlocks and Jamaican accent didn’t sit well with Lorne Michaels, leading to his inclusion on SNL’s banned list.

Louise Lasser

Actress Lasser’s bizarre behavior during her 1976 hosting stint, including strange, rambling speeches, resulted in her being banned from SNL. While some dispute the ban, Lasser herself stated, “It’s on Wikipedia that I was banned from that show, but it’s not true.”

Elvis Costello

Costello’s defiance in 1977, playing a different song than the one assigned, got him banned for a dozen years. He later returned for SNL’s 25th anniversary and recreated the moment alongside Beastie Boys.

The Replacements

The rock band’s 1986 appearance was marked by nudity, cursing, and damaging hotel rooms, resulting in a 30-year ban from SNL. They returned in 2014 on ‘The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.’

Andy Kaufman

Despite memorable appearances, a poll in 1982 led to Kaufman’s ban from SNL, with fans voting against his return. His final appearance on the show was in 1983, a year before his death.

Frank Zappa

Despite his creativity and humor, Zappa’s indifference during the live broadcast and dismissive attitude towards the SNL cast made his appearance uncomfortable. The result was a mismatch between Zappa and SNL, leading to his ban.

Fear

Punk band Fear’s 1981 appearance turned chaotic as hardcore fans in the studio audience wreaked havoc, breaking studio equipment. The performance ended with an expletive, prompting SNL to cut away. Fear received a lifetime ban from SNL.

Milton Berle

A clash of old-school and new-school comedy occurred when Berle hosted SNL in 1979. Berle’s condescending attitude and outdated comedic tropes led to a disastrous show, with Lorne Michaels calling it the “worst show ever.” Berle was subsequently banned.

Martin Lawrence

In the early ’90s, Martin Lawrence’s stand-up tendencies collided with SNL’s standards. His explicit monologue about the Lorena Bobbitt scandal and graphic commentary on feminine hygiene led to edits in reruns and a lasting ban from SNL.

Robert Blake

The ‘Baretta’ star mistreated the SNL staff during his 1982 hosting stint, throwing a crumpled script at a writer and displaying a disrespectful attitude. His behavior got him immediately banned from the show.