Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has publicly addressed Ryan Reynolds’ joke made during SNL50: 

The Anniversary Special, marking the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the troubled production of It Ends with Us. 

The joke, which was made by Reynolds during the live broadcast, quickly went viral and sparked strong reactions, particularly from Baldoni’s camp.

Ryan Reynolds’ Joke at SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special

During the special event, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Reynolds, 48, stood up from the audience alongside his wife, Blake Lively, 37, 

and said, “I have a question.” Fey and Poehler acknowledged him, jokingly asking, “Oh Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?”

In response, Reynolds deadpanned, “Great – why, what have you heard?” The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to the months of controversy surrounding It Ends with Us, the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, which stars Baldoni and Lively. The production has been plagued by negative headlines, ranging from creative differences to allegations made in legal filings.

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds

In the days following the joke, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, addressed the situation during an appearance on Hot Mics with Billy Bush.

“I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation,” Freedman stated. “I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.”

His comments alluded to allegations surrounding the It Ends with Us production, suggesting that Reynolds’ joke was made in poor taste.

Baldoni’s Current State Amid the Controversy

During the interview, Bush, 53, asked Freedman how Baldoni was coping with the ongoing drama.

Freedman revealed that Baldoni, 41, has been spending time in Hawaii with his family in an effort to find peace amid the turmoil.

“I think he’s hopeful, he’s grateful he’s with his family,” the attorney shared. “And grateful that he could let other fire victims use his house.”

He went on to express that Baldoni, like anyone facing allegations they believe to be false, has found the experience to be “distressful, to say the least.”

Reynolds and Lively’s First Public Appearance Since the Scandal

The SNL50 anniversary special marked the first time in two months that Reynolds and Lively had made a public appearance together. Prior to this event, their last red carpet appearance took place before the controversy surrounding Baldoni erupted late last year.

Lively’s previous public event occurred on December 11, 2024, when she attended the Beauty Inc Awards in New York City—just weeks before legal battles regarding It Ends with Us began making headlines.

At the star-studded SNL50 event, Reynolds and Lively were among many Hollywood A-listers in attendance. The guest list featured SNL alums such as Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, and Leslie Jones. Other high-profile celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Aubrey Plaza, Paul McCartney, Cher, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg, were also present for the special occasion.

Public Reaction to Reynolds’ Joke

The reaction to Reynolds’ comment on social media was swift and largely divided. While some viewers found the joke humorous and in line with his signature style, others felt it was an attempt to deflect from or make light of the controversy surrounding It Ends with Us.

One social media user criticized SNL, saying, “How sweet of SNL to try and do damage control for Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively—but it won’t work.”

Another commented, “Gross. So they’re supporting the bullies too.”

Others suggested that Reynolds’ public response to the controversy was an attempt to maintain his image. “His desperation is showing,” one person remarked.

One user even referenced Reynolds’ former marriage to actress Scarlett Johansson, who was also in attendance at the SNL50 event due to her husband, SNL cast member Colin Jost. “I hope Scarlett laughed uproariously,” the commenter wrote.

A Growing Controversy

As the drama surrounding It Ends with Us continues to unfold, Baldoni’s legal team has made it clear that they take the situation seriously. Freedman’s comments indicate that Baldoni is focusing on his personal well-being while navigating the challenges brought on by the film’s troubled production.

Meanwhile, Reynolds and Lively’s decision to publicly joke about the situation has fueled debate over whether the controversy will impact their reputations or the film’s reception. 

With the summer release of It Ends with Us approaching, it remains to be seen how the controversy will affect both the film and its key players moving forward.

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