Saturday Night Live’s promo for this weekend’s episode hypes up host Dave Chappelle, while also shouting out the show’s worst host of all time.
In the solemn clip, a camera pans toward the doors to the SNL studio as a dramatic voiceover reflects on the show’s legacy. “Studio 8H: New York City’s hallowed comedy ground,” it begins. “A fifty-year tradition of laughter at Saturday Night Live. All the greats have passed through these halls… Also, Steven Seagal.”
Seagal, who hosted a Season 16 episode back in 1991, is considered by those who worked at the show at the time to be SNL’s worst host ever. The actor is said to have been difficult to work with, had terrible sketch ideas, and took himself far too seriously behind the scenes.
“And this Saturday, Dave’s back,” the promo continues as the lights go up on Chappelle sitting on a stool at home base.
It’s not the first time Saturday Night Live has publicly knocked Seagal. A year and a half after Seagal hosted, Michaels joked about the actor during Nicholas Cage’s monologue.
“They probably think I’m the biggest jerk who’s ever been on the show,” Cage tells Michaels at one point.
“No, no,” Michaels replies. “That would be Steven Seagal.”
Chappelle, of course, is not without controversy himself. The comic has been met with significant backlash in recent years as he’s refused to stop joking about trans people and other marginalized groups in his act.
Chappelle hosts Saturday Night Live this Saturday, January 18th, with musical guest GloRilla.