The SNL Host Who Left a Lasting Bad Impression on Cast
Robert Blake’s notorious stint as a Saturday Night Live host in 1982 is remembered for all the wrong reasons, with cast and writers recalling his abrasive attitude and infamous on-set behavior.
When Saturday Night Live brings in a new host, it ’s always a gamble. Sometimes, the show lands a beloved regular like John Goodman, but other times, it ends up with a host who’s remembered for all the wrong reasons. The cast and crew usually don’t know what they’re in for until rehearsals are underway, and by then, the wheels are already in motion. Contracts are signed, sketches are written, and there’s no turning back. If a host doesn’t work out, they simply don’t get asked back. That’s why the exclusive ‘Five-Timers Club’ is so hard to join, even though it boasts nearly 30 members. The hope is always to discover the next Tom Hanks or Steve Martin, but there’s always the risk of ending up with someone like Adrien Brody or Lance Armstrong.
Robert Blake’s Infamous Night
Long before his name became linked to a high-profile murder case, Robert Blake’s appearance on SNL in November 1982 was already headed for disaster. By the time he took the stage, his most notable film role—Perry Edward Smith in the 1967 adaptation of In Cold Blood—was well behind him, and his TV fame from Baretta had faded since the show ended in 1978. Even before the live broadcast, it was clear to everyone involved that this episode would be one for the wrong kind of history books.
Years later, Blake’s reputation only worsened after his arrest in 2002 for the murder of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. Though he was acquitted in 2005, he was later found liable for her wrongful death. But on SNL, his legacy was cemented by his behavior during that single episode.
Writers and Cast Recall Difficult Moments
Tim Kazurinsky, a writer and cast member, had a unique way of sizing up hosts. He’d pitch a darkly humorous sketch called ‘The William Holden Drinking Helmet’—a nod to the actor ’s tragic death—to see if the host had a sense of humor.
“That was my little running gag to see if they had a sense of humour,”
he explained.
“Or if they were going to be a dickhead like Robert Blake.”
Kazurinsky wasn’t alone in his opinion. Fellow writer David Sheffield didn’t mince words:
“My vote for the worst host is Robert Blake.”
Blake’s attitude toward the writing staff was especially notorious. When Gary Kroeger, a writer and performer, handed him a sketch, Blake’s reaction was nothing short of hostile.
“Blake sat there and read that, with his glasses down his nose, then wadded it up, turned to Kroeger, and said, ‘I hope you got a tough asshole, pal, because you’re going to have to wipe your ass with that one,’”
Sheffield recalled.
“And he threw it, and bounced it off Gary’s face.”
A Host Never Invited Back
While the musical guest that night, Kenny Loggins, was a breath of fresh air, Blake’s conduct left a sour taste. From that point on, he was unofficially blacklisted from ever returning to the show. His episode remains a cautionary tale among SNL veterans—a reminder that not every gamble pays off, and some hosts are remembered for all the wrong reasons.