Fri Sep 20 13:40:00 UTC 2024: ## SNL Announces Star-Studded 50th Season Lineup, While Michael Keaton’s Return Sparks Memories of Past Feud
Saturday Night Live has announced a star-studded lineup for its upcoming 50th season, with names like Jean Smart, Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, and Ariana Grande set to host. However, one name on the list stirred up memories of a past feud – Michael Keaton, who will be hosting for the fourth time at the end of October.
Keaton’s first SNL appearance back in 1982, fresh off his breakthrough role in “Night Shift,” was marred by tension with then-producer Dick Ebersol. While Keaton’s monologue went smoothly, a cold open sketch with Eddie Murphy and Monty Python’s Michael Palin saw Keaton visibly flustered when the show had to proceed without cue cards.
The tension continued backstage, with Ebersol reportedly disliking Keaton’s performance at the episode’s read-through and ultimately bringing in Palin at the last minute, a move that allegedly left Keaton feeling hurt and angry.
SNL writer Margaret Oberman explained that Ebersol “didn’t like” Keaton’s laid-back approach to rehearsals and believed he was “just bad,” ultimately losing confidence in the actor. Keaton was reportedly “inched out” and Palin was given a larger role in the episode, much to Keaton’s dismay.
It wasn’t until 10 years later, after Ebersol had left and Keaton had become a global star, that the actor returned to SNL. This time, the experience was likely a smoother one, free from the shadow of the past feud.
First Piper 