Saturday Night Live never shies away from making headlines with its sharp comedic takes on current events, and this time,
the long-running sketch comedy series turned its attention to the legal battle between It Ends with Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
The joke came just two weeks after Lively made an appearance on the show alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as part of SNL50: The Anniversary Special.
Colin Jost’s Weekend Update Quip
During the March 1 episode of SNL, Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost delivered a pointed joke referencing the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni.
While discussing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent White House visit, Jost drew an unexpected comparison to the Hollywood controversy.
“Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House,” Jost remarked. “Then he appeared on Fox News and said he thinks he can still salvage his relationship with President Trump, which is like Justin Baldoni saying, ‘I’d love to work with Blake again.’”
The joke played on the widely publicized tension between the It Ends with Us co-stars, whose legal battle has dominated entertainment news in recent months. Notably, Jost’s remark carried an additional layer of intrigue, given that he is married to Scarlett Johansson—Reynolds’ ex-wife.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ Recent SNL Appearance
The timing of the joke was especially noteworthy as it came shortly after Lively and Reynolds attended SNL50: The Anniversary Special on February 16. Their appearance at the star-studded event marked their first joint red-carpet outing since Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni became public.
During the special, Reynolds participated in a comedic segment featuring former cast members Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. The bit involved celebrities in the audience asking questions, but when Reynolds stood up, Fey humorously caught him off guard by simply asking, “How’s it going?”
Feigning nervousness, Reynolds responded with a jittery, “Great, why? What have you heard?” The lighthearted moment between Fey and Reynolds played well with the audience, though it came amid much more serious legal matters unfolding behind the scenes.
The Legal Battle Between Lively and Baldoni
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni was first filed in December 2024, alleging claims of sexual harassment and retaliation—allegations that Baldoni has strongly denied. In response, the actor and director launched a countersuit, seeking $400 million in damages against Lively, Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm Vision PR, Inc. The lawsuit includes claims of civil extortion, defamation, and additional grievances.
Baldoni also took legal action against The New York Times, filing a separate $250 million lawsuit over a December 2024 article that accused him and his team of orchestrating a smear campaign against Lively.
With both sides digging in for a prolonged court battle, the legal teams representing Lively and Baldoni recently opted out of early mediation. In a February 13 filing in New York federal court, attorneys for both parties deemed mediation “inappropriate” and “premature,” ensuring that the case will move forward to trial. The court date has been set for March 2026.
Public Reactions and Industry Response
The controversy surrounding Lively and Baldoni has sparked intense public interest, with fans and industry insiders weighing in on the unfolding drama. Some have expressed support for Lively, while others have questioned the motivations behind both lawsuits. The ongoing legal dispute has undoubtedly cast a shadow over It Ends with Us, a film that was already one of the most anticipated romantic dramas of 2024.
Adding to the intrigue, actor Brandon Sklenar, who co-stars in the film, was recently asked how he was supporting Lively amid the legal battle. While he acknowledged that it was a “tough situation,” he avoided taking a definitive stance.
Meanwhile, SNL’s decision to lampoon the controversy signals just how deeply it has permeated the pop culture landscape. The show has a long history of turning real-life legal battles into comedic fodder, and this latest jab is unlikely to be the last.
Looking Ahead
With a court date set for 2026, the legal drama between Lively and Baldoni is far from over. As the case continues to develop, it remains to be seen how it will impact their professional reputations and future projects.
For now, SNL has once again proven that no Hollywood controversy is off-limits when it comes to late-night satire. Whether or not Lively, Reynolds, or Baldoni respond to the joke remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—their legal battle is unlikely to fade from public view anytime soon.
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