During The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtable spotlighting comedic actors, John Goodman revealed he was afraid of “being fat on television” before his first time hosting Saturday Night Live. “I was afraid of getting kicked out of the studio,” the venerable actor admitted.
71-year-old Goodman, who recently celebrated a staggering loss of 200 pounds, was speaking alongside a group of actors from 2023’s buzziest comedy projects, including SNL’s Bowen Yang.
When THR asked the group what their biggest professional risks have been up to this point, Goodman surprisingly responded, “Hosting Saturday Night Live…The first time, I was scared to death. I didn’t think I could do it. I thought I’d die once I opened the door for the monologue. But it turned out to be the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Goodman debuted his hosting duties on SNL’s December 2, 1989. He explained that he had many fears before his stint as host, namely “just stinking on ice, not being funny, being fat on camera.”
He continued: “Because I admired the show so much, I was afraid of getting kicked out of the studio before the hour and a half was up. But it worked out. Everybody took care of me. It was scary, but so rewarding.”
To say it worked out is something of an understatement, as Goodman was immediately welcomed into the show’s stable of beloved, oft-returning hosts.
Since ‘89, Goodman has hosted the show a further 12 times, most recently in December 2013. He’s second only to Alec Baldwin—who’s hosted 17 episodes, not including cameo appearances—on the list of most frequent SNL hosts. Even Steve Martin is below Goodman, having hosted 12 times.
Yang told Goodman that he possessed traits of the quintessential SNL host, never shying away from a good joke and always willing to speak up if he’s unsure of the assignment. “That’s what they want to hear,” Yang said. “If the host is feeling uneasy about anything, let’s help them out.”
“A lot of help,” Goodman cracked.
“You were such a mainstay,” Yang told him. “People were clearly so happy that you were coming back.”
“I was still scared,” Goodman said of his subsequent hosting duties, “but it felt like coming home again.”
Goodman hasn’t even made a cameo appearance on SNL in the 11 years since his last hosting gig, something the Big Lebowski star addressed in a 2016 interview with Howard Stern.
“The last time I hosted,” Goodman admitted, “I felt every week of 62 years old. I didn’t bring much to the party. It’s the first time I felt I let them down,” he continued. “I ran out of gas between the dress rehearsal and the actual show. I had a bottle of 5 Hour Energy drink, but I didn’t want to take it…I should’ve.”
But Goodman would still be open to returning. “If they asked you back would you do it?” Stern asked.
“Yeah, I love it over there.” Goodman replied immediately. “And the kids they got today are just geniuses.”
