In a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, celebrated as SNL50, Ryan Reynolds made a memorable cameo in a skit led by comedy stalwarts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Amidst light-hearted banter, where Fey inquired about Reynolds’s state, he jovially retorted, “Great, why? What have you heard?” to which Fey responded, “Good stuff only.” This exchange occurred during a sketch that humorously segued into a discussion about the Coneheads, an iconic SNL act.
However, the levity of Reynolds’s SNL appearance belies deeper tensions. The scene unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing legal battles involving Reynolds’s wife, Blake Lively, and actor-director Justin Baldoni. A source from Baldoni’s legal team expressed to Page Six their serious approach to the lawsuit, emphasizing, “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it.”
The Legal Entanglement: Lively vs. Baldoni
The roots of the controversy trace back to the film set of It Ends With Us, where Lively and Baldoni shared screen space. The discord surfaced publicly when Lively lodged a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024. Her claims are grave, alleging unscripted physical intimacy initiated by Baldoni during filming, which was not pre-rehearsed, followed by a retaliation campaign spearheaded by Baldoni’s crisis PR team.
In a retaliatory move, Baldoni launched a legal offensive against not just Lively but also the New York Times and her PR machinery, citing defamation and civil extortion. This legal melee has ensnared various facets of their professional and personal lives, casting long shadows over their careers.
Baldoni’s Legal Camp Responds
Amidst the swirling rumors and public jests, Baldoni’s representation has taken a firm stand. Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, articulated his astonishment and disapproval on the podcast 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, reflecting a sense of disbelief over Reynolds’s comedic stint at SNL amidst such sensitive circumstances.
As Hollywood continues to navigate these choppy waters, the involvement of iconic platforms like Saturday Night Live and statements from legal representatives highlight the complex interplay between public personas and private ordeals. With every new development, the audience remains hooked, not just on the outcomes, but on the profound impacts these battles hold over the lives and careers of those involved.