Which SNL hosts were accused of murder? John Mulaney’s viral joke at SNL50 explained

The 50th-anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL50) included nostalgia, celebrity cameos, and hilarious performances. One of the most talked-about parts was John Mulaney's joke about two hosts being accused of murder.

He quipped:

"Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted Saturday Night Live, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."

Mulaney's joke about two murderers who were also SNL hosts went viral, leaving viewers curious about who he meant. He was referring to O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake, two controversial figures. Simpson, an ex-NFL star, hosted the show on February 25, 1978. Blake was the host on November 13, 1982.

O.J. Simpson faced accusations of killing his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, in 2001, but was found not guilty in the criminal trial in 2005. Despite this, he was later found liable in a civil trial. Robert Blake also had a similar experience. He was accused of the same crime in 2001 but was also acquitted in the criminal trial. However, he too was found liable in a civil suit.

So, while neither of them were criminally convicted of murder, both were held responsible in civil cases. This is what made their SNL appearances controversial, and why Mulaney's joke resonated with people.

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O.J. Simpson's murder trial and his SNL connection

O.J. Simpson was a well-known sports star and actor when he hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1978. But his life took a big turn in 1994. That's when people said he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. This event became a huge story everyone talked about.

The trial, known as the "Trial of the Century," ended with a not-guilty decision in 1995. However, a civil court case in 1997 found him responsible and told him to pay $33.5 million to the victims' families.

As time went on, the drama around Simpson didn't stop. Some people who liked SNL were surprised to find out he had been a host. This was because of the impact the murder case had on everyone. Simpson had more legal problems later too. In 2007, he was found guilty of armed robbery and went to jail for nine years. His story is one that people still argue about.

When Mulaney made a joke about Simpson on SNL, it brought up a lot of feelings and memories. It reminded everyone of how complicated Simpson's history is with the show and with justice in the United States.

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Actor and SNL host Robert Blake was a murder suspect

Robert Blake, a seasoned actor most recognized for his role in Baretta, appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1982. Throughout his career, Blake received praise for his performances. However, in 2001, his life took a grim turn when his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Los Angeles. Two years later, in 2002, he was charged with her murder.

The trial was extensive and high-profile, similar to O.J. Simpson's case. Despite being found not guilty due to insufficient direct evidence in 2005, Blake faced a civil lawsuit. The court found him responsible for Bakley's death and ordered him to pay a hefty $30 million. This verdict echoed Simpson's experience with the legal system.

Blake's reputation suffered significantly and didn't recover. He mainly stayed out of the public eye until he passed away in 2023. Although his appearance is often forgotten, John Mulaney recently made a joke about him. This joke brought Blake's history to people's attention again, triggering new discussions about justice.

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SNL50 aired on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock.

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