The Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special was packed with memorable moments, but one joke from Ryan Reynolds has continued to stir controversy,
adding another layer to his and Blake Lively’s ongoing legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni.
During the star-studded event on February 16, Reynolds took part in a comedic Q&A session led by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
When asked how he was doing, the Deadpool star responded with a quip that quickly set social media ablaze:
“[I’m doing] great. Why, what have you heard?”
While the audience laughed, Lively, seated next to him, maintained a neutral expression.
Given that Lively is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Baldoni, some found the joke distasteful, while others saw it as a calculated move to control the narrative through humor.
Controversy Over the Joke’s Origins
Adding fuel to the fire, longtime SNL cue card handler Wally Feresten made a surprising claim during an appearance on the Australian radio show Fifi, Fev & Nick. According to Feresten, Reynolds originally had a different line planned but personally pitched the now-infamous joke.
“That was his idea to do it,” Feresten alleged. “We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”
However, an anonymous source close to Reynolds quickly denied Feresten’s account, telling Us Weekly that the claim was false. Representatives for SNL also dismissed Feresten’s statement, saying there was no truth to it.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Responds
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, was among those who took issue with Reynolds’ comment, voicing his disapproval during a February 17 episode of 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. “I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.”
Freedman’s remarks reflected broader criticism that Reynolds had made light of serious allegations. Lively originally filed a complaint against Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment. She later filed a separate lawsuit against Baldoni himself, alleging similar misconduct—claims that Baldoni has consistently denied.
In response, Baldoni launched his own legal counterattack in January 2025, filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane. His claims include accusations of extortion, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy. Lively’s legal team has since dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit as “desperate” and lacking merit.
Bethenny Frankel Weighs In
While some criticized Reynolds’ joke, others praised him for tackling the situation with humor. Reality TV star and businesswoman Bethenny Frankel was one of Reynolds’ defenders, calling his approach “absolutely brilliant.”
“SNL leaning into this was genius,” Frankel said in a TikTok video posted on February 18. “Ryan and Blake are at the epicenter of pop culture. The only way to weather a storm is to go straight through it.”
Frankel also pointed out that the full story behind the legal battle remains unclear. “No one really knows what happened,” she added. “Speculation is tricky, but that was very smart. Bravo.”
Lively’s Latest Legal Move
As the public discussion over Reynolds’ SNL moment continued, Lively took another step in her legal fight. On February 19, she filed an amended lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging that he made multiple women feel uncomfortable on the set of It Ends With Us, the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Freedman, dismissed the latest allegations, arguing that his client has provided ample evidence to contradict Lively’s claims. “Our clients have been transparent in providing receipts, real-time documents, and video showing a completely different story than what has been manipulated and cherry-picked to the media,” Freedman said in a statement to Us Weekly. “They have taken these issues very seriously, despite the public jokes made by the plaintiff and her husband.”
The Debate Continues
As Reynolds, Lively, and Baldoni prepare for what is expected to be a highly publicized trial next year, reactions to the SNL joke remain divided. Some believe Reynolds’ humor was an attempt to downplay the legal storm surrounding him and his wife, while others feel he made an inappropriate joke at the expense of serious allegations.
Regardless of where people stand, one thing is clear: this legal battle—and the media frenzy surrounding it—is far from over.
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