With 35 seasons (almost) in the books, Saturday Night Live is firmly in place as one of the most successful shows in history.  A lot closer to 700 episodes than Peacock buddy Trauma will ever get, SNL has survived in its late night Saturday slot with a mixture of comedy and commentary that fails as often as it succeeds, but is rarely forgettable.

A key factor in SNL‘s longevity is the revolving door of guest hosts that pop in each week to fill out the cast with a monologue and some parts in the week’s sketches.  In recent years, who is hosting the show has become more important than the comedy they’ll perform while there.  It is big honor and a right of passage for media personalities everywhere.

Hosts have come from all walks of fame such as Olympians (Michael Phelps, Nancy Kerrigan), politicians (Al Gore, Ralph Nader), and musicians (Taylor Swift, Madonna).

 But the majority of hosting duties have fallen on actors and actresses, especially those with a tilt towards the comedy.  Every stand-up from George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Robin William to more recent comics like Zach Galifianakis and Dane Cook have taken their place in the honor role of SNL hosts.

The oldest host was Miskel Spillman who took to the monologue at 80 years old, a considerable amount older than the youngest hoster, a 7 year old Drew Barrymore.  But who the heck is Miskell Spillman?!  Not only the oldest host, this German grandmother won the first and only “Anyone Can Host” contest in which contestants sent SNL postcard essays to win the chance to host the show.  How’s that for some pub quiz trivia?

25 SNL cast members have returned to host the show, including Robert Downey Jr. who spent a season with the show in 1985.  Chevy Chase has spent the most time in his former job with eight appearances while I’ll always have a place in my funny bone for the two times the late great Phil Hartman returned to Studio 8H.

Some almost cast members have taken up the reigns nine times as well.  Hosts that once failed the SNL audition process include Lisa Kudrow, Steve Carell, John Goodman, Jim Carrey, and Pee Wee Herman himself, Paul Reubens.  It is safe to say the rejection didn’t hurt their careers in the long run.

But any retrospective on a television franchise this old would hardly be complete without a subjective list ranking the hosts of Saturday Night Live’s 35 years.  Or in my case, two lists.

My Bottom 5 Hosts:

5.  Renee Zellweger:  I’ll admit it, this is personal.

4.  January Jones:  Cute girls do not equal funny hosts.

3.  Freddie Prinze Jr.:  The F.P.J. was D.O.A.

2.  Paris Hilton:  Do I have to explain?

1.  Megan Fox:  You thought her films were bad?  Well, check out what she can’t do with a few days of rehearsal and cue cards!

My Top 5 Favorite Hosts:

5.  Justin Timberlake:  The guy’s got talent, what can I say?

4.  Eric Idle:  4 time host in the 70s, bring back Eric!!

3.  Wayne Gretzky:  Two words: waikiki hockey.

2.  Neil Patrick Harris:  Quickly becoming the funniest guy in the “biz.”

1.  Alec Baldwin:  A no brainer.  Alec has a natural comedic charm that makes him look more comfortable on SNL than half of all the cast members ever to cash a paycheck.

With the need for a new host every week, even with the “Five Timers Club” and Steve Martin’s record 15 shows, the volume of celebs who’ve taken on the job is beyond large.  It never fails to be intriguing to see someone like Jon Hamm from Madmen handle the live comedy SNL requires.  The hosting gig has been a blessing for the show, keeping audiences tuned in even in the bleakest of casts and should continue for years to come to generate buzz around the nation’s televisions.