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May 24, 2013

Michael Phelps to host SNL season premiere

by Annie Wu, posted Aug 27th 2008 7:53PM

Michael PhelpsSaturday Night Live is about to kick off its 34th season, and they're determined to do it with a bang. Doing a smart job of quickly pulling in America's biggest star of the summer, the show has announced that super-crazy Olympian god slash merman Michael Phelps will be hosting the premiere. It also looks like the musical guest will be Lil' Wayne, but who has time to care about that? Michael Phelps is swimming back to America and he's hosting!

There are two camps of opinion out there when it comes to athletes hosting SNL: Some people love 'em and others find these episodes particularly excruciating to watch. I am personally in the latter group, but I'm willing to give Michael Phelps a chance.

I mean, after witnessing his insanely brilliant performance throughout the entire Beijing Olympics, I have been thoroughly convinced that the man is actually a magic half-dolphin with the power to bend space and time for maximum performance. Maybe these powers are not limited to just the pool and he'll blow us out of the water. Har har.

Don't forget that SNL is going to have a slightly wonky season this time around. Their premiere, Phelps' episode, will air September 13th on the normal day and time, but there will also be some scattered, election-themed "Weekend Update" episodes on Thursday nights. Plus, this season will be two episodes longer than usual. For full details, check this out.

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matt

But will he be able recreate the magic of Joe Montana going up to his room to masturbate?

August 28 2008 at 1:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stone

Geez, how many times is this dude gonna be on NBC??? They should just give this dude a sitcom...

August 28 2008 at 9:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

Peyton and LeBron both did well in recent hosting gigs, but I don't have any expectations for Phelps. I agree with Chris; he and his underbite lisp need to go away.

August 28 2008 at 9:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Garrett

I wsa hoping it would be Robert Downey, Jr. He's got another movie coming in November, so maybe they're holding off until then.

August 28 2008 at 8:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Garrett's comment
Garrett

Or even "was."

August 28 2008 at 12:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew

Some people take SNL too seriously.

August 28 2008 at 8:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Diego M

what a bunch of bull. lebron james sucked and phelps is a quick fad i already forgot about him.

why didn't they have Eli back in may? could've brought peyton during the monologue, would've made a funny bit.

Phelps will suck!!!

why couldn't they have gotten some other athlete like say... Kobe? either one of the boston Three... Phelps Sucks

August 28 2008 at 2:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CC

Note to self - do not watch SNL season premiere.

Aside from the fact that athletes usually have a more difficult time hosting (although some actors are not great hosts themselves), Michael Phelps doesn't talk clearly. It's like his jaw is constantly clenched/closed. It's annoying.

Not to mention that he is so two weeks ago. So he won 8 gold medals. NBC already talked him to death during the whole Olympics (even when swimming was over and done with). We don't need anymore of him now. Maybe in 4 years... maybe.

August 28 2008 at 1:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Argus

Athletes usually suck. Often they get brutally pandered to, especially when they can't take a joke, this will probably be worse with Phelps. And all too often they end up playing themselves repeatedly in skit after skit because they can't act. I think the only Athlete in recent memory who did a good job was Payton Manning.

August 28 2008 at 1:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Argus's comment
deebopalula

I never would have believed it before I saw it, but you're right -- Peyton did quite well on SNL.

August 28 2008 at 2:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
StillBash

I don't really want to repeat what I bitched about on Ken Levine's page...

August 27 2008 at 10:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Frank

They should've gone with Usain Bolt...

August 27 2008 at 8:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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