Steve Martin already has a busy fall schedule with Only Murders in the Building Season 4 coming out later this month—but that’s not the reason he turned Lorne Michaels’ offer to play Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Season 50 of Saturday Night Live.
On Wednesday, Martin told the Los Angeles Times that he did indeed get the call from Michaels about guest-starring on SNL as Walz this morning, but said no.
“I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin said. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.’ I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses.”
Though there might be some truth to what Martin is saying in terms of the physical resemblance, millions of fans would argue that he’s selling his own skillset short. Still, the 16-time host seems resolute—and optimistic. “They’re gonna find somebody really, really good,” Martin said. “I’d be struggling.”
Which means the search for SNL‘s Walz will continue. Fortunately, the internet has offered up plenty of possibilities for who should co-star alongside Maya Rudolph, who will be bringing her Kamala Harris impression back to SNL (at least through the election).
In addition to Martin (who was definitely the frontrunner), fans have also floated Danny DeVito, Jim O’Heir, Nick Offerman, Andy Richter, Wallace Shawn, and Tom Arnold as potential options. SNL alum Julia Sweeney even threw her own name out there.
The actual veepstakes may be over, but the SNLstakes are just beginning. Prepare for things to get heated.
Saturday Night Live‘s 50th season premieres September 28 on NBC.
I think Woody Harrelson will get the Walz gig.