Lorne Michaels Fixated on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle Following Ryan Reynolds’ ‘SNL’ Joke

Lorne Michaels seems unable to stop discussing the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, 

particularly after Ryan Reynolds made a pointed joke about the situation during the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special.

On a recent episode of the “Fly on the Wall” podcast, former “SNL” cast member Dana Carvey revealed 

that the legendary showrunner has been repeatedly texting him about the headline-grabbing controversy surrounding the upcoming film It Ends With Us.

Carvey shared that after the landmark anniversary special, he reached out to Michaels to congratulate him on the success of the show. 

However, rather than discussing the event, Michaels shifted the conversation to the ongoing legal dispute. “Instead of talking about the show, he just goes, ‘Baldoni will now countersue. I think that Lively will probably get a new attorney,’” Carvey recalled.

The former “Wayne’s World” star, who was part of “SNL” from 1986 to 1993, attempted to steer the conversation back to the show’s highlights, mentioning performances by Tom Hanks and Steve Martin. However, Michaels remained focused on the lawsuit, responding, “I don’t know where Ryan Reynolds is on this, but certainly they have deep pockets.”

Ryan Reynolds’ SNL Joke Causes a Stir

During the SNL50 special, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler engaged Ryan Reynolds in a comedic exchange, asking him how he was doing. Reynolds quipped, “Great! Why, what have you heard?” The seemingly lighthearted remark was interpreted by many as a reference to the controversy involving his wife, Blake Lively, and It Ends With Us director, Justin Baldoni.

While the comment stirred debate, Carvey admitted that he found it humorous. “It’s been in all the newspapers … and when Ryan Reynolds said, ‘What have you heard?’ [He was] basically being tongue-in-cheek about it. So it was a good moment.”

Carvey’s podcast co-host, David Spade, related to Reynolds’ approach, saying, “They’re like us. Whatever is going on, you try to make a joke about it.”

Behind-the-Scenes Drama Over the Joke’s Origin

Despite the joke’s viral reception, there has been some debate regarding its origin. Wally Feresten, SNL’s longtime cue card handler, claimed on the “Fifi, Fev and Nick” podcast that Reynolds was directly involved in crafting the quip. According to Feresten, the actor originally had a different line in rehearsal but suggested the now-famous response as a replacement. “That was his idea,” Feresten alleged. “We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”

However, conflicting reports have emerged. An SNL insider refuted Feresten’s claims, stating, “The opening joke was pitched by SNL and never changed. The follow-up joke was rewritten in rehearsal.” A representative for NBC also dismissed Feresten’s version, reinforcing that he is not part of the show’s writing process.

Lively and Baldoni’s Ongoing Legal Feud

The SNL special marked the first joint red carpet appearance for Lively and Reynolds since the actress filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024. The Gossip Girl star also accused the Jane the Virgin actor of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

Baldoni has vehemently denied the allegations and responded with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, citing defamation and extortion. The high-profile legal battle has continued to unfold, captivating both Hollywood insiders and the public alike.

Lorne Michaels’ Unwavering Fascination

While the case continues to develop, it seems that Michaels remains particularly engrossed in the situation. Carvey’s revelations about the SNL creator’s persistent texts suggest that, despite decades in the entertainment industry, Michaels remains as captivated by Hollywood drama as any avid pop culture follower.

Though Michaels has yet to publicly comment on the matter, his private musings hint at a deep investment in how the high-stakes lawsuit will play out. Whether Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams take the next steps Michaels predicted remains to be seen, but for now, the SNL mastermind appears to be watching closely.

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