Scarlett Johansson is basically SNL royalty at this point. It’s weird to think back to 2006 when a twenty-something actress, mostly known for being serious and "indie" in movies like Lost in Translation, stepped onto the Studio 8H stage for the first time. People weren't sure she could do it. They were wrong. She didn't just survive; she thrived, eventually joining the prestigious Five-Timer’s Club and, in a twist of fate worthy of a rom-com, marrying the guy who writes the jokes.
Most guest hosts come in, read the cue cards, and hope they don't look like an idiot. Scarlett is different. She has this weird, specific energy where she’s willing to look absolutely ridiculous—think "Marble Columns" or those bizarre "Deep Quote" sketches—while maintaining a level of professional polish that most dramatic actors can't touch. She’s hosted six times now. That's more than many legendary comedians.
The Five-Timer’s Club and the Colin Jost Connection
When people talk about Saturday Night Live Scarlett Johansson moments, they usually start with her induction into the Five-Timer's Club in 2017. It’s a big deal. You get the velvet robe. You get the sketches with Tom Hanks or Steve Martin. But for Scarlett, her relationship with the show is deeper than just a recurring gig. It’s where she met her husband, Colin Jost.
It wasn't an immediate thing. They actually met back in 2006 during her first hosting stint, but they didn't start dating until much later, around 2017. Jost has written about this in his memoir, A Very Punchable Face, noting how she stood out even then. He was a young writer; she was the movie star. It’s a total full-circle moment for the show’s history.
Honestly, her 2019 hosting appearance—her sixth time—felt more like a homecoming than a promotional tour. She even made jokes about it in her monologue, saying, "I’m not a monster! I’m a mother!" before jokingly threatening to leave the show. Having your "home base" be a live comedy show in New York while being one of the highest-paid actresses in the world is a flex. No two ways about it.
Why the "Marble Columns" Sketch Still Lives Rent-Free in Our Heads
If you want to understand why Scarlett works on SNL, you have to look at the "Marble Columns" sketch. She plays this incredibly high-maintenance, New Jersey-style woman named Lexi, alongside Cecily Strong’s Dana. They’re selling ridiculous luxury goods. It’s loud. It’s abrasive. It’s perfect.
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A lot of actors try to "act" funny. They wink at the camera. Scarlett doesn't do that. She leans into the character’s stupidity with 100% conviction. That’s the secret sauce.
Then you have the Ivanka Trump "Complicit" digital short. That one went viral for a reason. It wasn't just a political jab; it was a masterclass in tone. She played it as a perfume ad—glamorous, silent, and cutting. It’s probably one of the most culturally significant things she’s done on the show because it captured a very specific political moment in 2017 without saying a single word.
Breaking Down the Six Hosting Dates
She’s been there through different eras of the cast.
- January 14, 2006: The debut. Promoted Match Point.
- April 21, 2007: Back again just a year later.
- November 13, 2010: This was the era of Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig.
- March 11, 2017: The big Five-Timer induction.
- May 20, 2017: A special cameo as Ivanka.
- December 14, 2019: Her most recent full hosting gig.
You can see the evolution. In 2006, she was the "Ingénue." By 2019, she was "The Pro." She knows how to work the room, how to wait for the laughs, and most importantly, how to handle the chaos of a live broadcast when a prop fails or a line gets flubbed.
The "Black Widow" Problem
It's actually kind of funny that her biggest film role, Natasha Romanoff, hasn't been parodied as much as you'd think. There was the famous 2015 "Black Widow: Age of Me" trailer parody where SNL mocked Marvel’s inability to make a female-led superhero movie at the time. They turned it into a romantic comedy. Scarlett was a great sport about it, poking fun at the very franchise that paid her millions.
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It shows a level of security in her career. You have to be pretty comfortable with your status to let a bunch of writers turn your badass assassin character into a girl crying over a broken heart while eating ice cream in a chic New York apartment.
The Nuance of a "Reliable" Host
SNL relies on "Safe Hands." That’s a term used in the industry for someone who won't crash the ship. Justin Timberlake is one. Tom Hanks is another. Scarlett is the female equivalent.
Think about the technical difficulty of some of these sketches. You have three minutes to change a costume, get your makeup redone, and memorize a whole new set of cue cards because the writers changed the ending five minutes before air. Most "serious" actors would have a meltdown. Scarlett seems to thrive on the adrenaline.
She also doesn't hog the spotlight. A lot of hosts want every sketch to be about them. If you watch her episodes, she’s often the "straight man" (or woman) letting Kenan Thompson or Kate McKinnon go off the rails. That’s why the cast loves her. She’s a team player.
The Impact on Her Brand
Being a frequent SNL host changed how the public perceives her. Before the show, she was seen as somewhat "cool" and "distant." The show humanized her. Seeing her mess up a line or wear a wig that looks like a dead squirrel makes her relatable.
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It’s also served as a bit of a shield. When she’s faced public scrutiny for casting choices or legal battles (like the Disney/Black Widow lawsuit), her presence on SNL reminds people that she’s a person with a sense of humor who is part of the "New York creative family." It’s smart branding, even if it’s unintentional.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her SNL Career
People think she’s just there because of Colin Jost. That’s factually incorrect. She was a three-time host before she even started dating him. She earned her spot in the Five-Timer’s Club on her own merits. If anything, Jost being the head writer probably makes it harder because they have to be careful not to make the show feel like a "family home movie."
Also, people forget she can sing. She’s released albums (Tom Waits covers, anyone?), and she’s used that talent on the show multiple times. She’s a true variety performer in the old-school sense of the word.
Notable Sketches You Should Re-Watch
- Mike’s Fountainry: Where she plays a daughter in a family of high-end fountain sellers.
- The Manuel Ortiz Show: Where she dances her heart out in a ridiculous ruffled dress.
- St. Patrick’s Day Day: A parody of those "holiday" movies like Valentine's Day, but much grittier.
Actionable Takeaways for SNL Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of the show or someone looking to understand the mechanics of late-night comedy, there are a few things to learn from the Scarlett Johansson era of SNL:
- Versatility is King: Don't get pigeonholed. Scarlett proved she could do "high-brow" drama and "low-brow" fart jokes in the same week.
- Preparation Meets Chaos: The best hosts are those who are over-prepared but willing to pivot when something goes wrong. Watch her face during a flub; she never breaks.
- The Value of Recurring Characters: While she doesn't have a "character" per se, her "Marble Columns" persona is a masterclass in using voice and posture to disappear into a role.
- Commitment: If you're going to do a sketch about being a sentient robot or a Jersey housewife, go all in. Anything less than 100% commitment feels awkward to the audience.
Moving forward, it’s almost certain we’ll see her back for a seventh time. With the 50th Anniversary of SNL recently passing and the show entering a new era of talent, veterans like her provide the "glue" that keeps the legacy alive.
If you want to see the best of her work, the Peacock archives are your best bet. Start with the 2010 episode; it’s widely considered one of the tightest written shows of that decade. Pay attention to her timing during the "Hollywood Game Night" parodies. It’s subtle, but she’s driving the pace of the whole scene. That’s the mark of a true host.