At just 25 years old, Reese Witherspoon faced a daunting task when she was asked to host Saturday Night Live (SNL) following the September 11 attacks, a moment that demanded sensitivity and strength. Despite the intense pressure, Witherspoon accepted the invitation from show creator Lorne Michaels, understanding the critical role the episode would play in helping America find its spirit again.
How Reese Witherspoon Came to Host the Season Opener
Originally, Witherspoon was slated to host the second episode of SNL’s season, but the first episode was canceled due to the tragedy. Lorne Michaels personally reached out to her with a heartfelt request. Witherspoon recalled on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard that Michaels emphasized the importance of the episode, telling her that New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, firefighters, and musician Paul Simon would be present, and that she was needed to bring some lightness back to the nation.
“I was coming off Legally Blonde. I wasn’t supposed to be the season opener. I was supposed to be the second episode,”
Witherspoon said.
“The first episode, they canceled it because of 9/11, obviously. Then, Lorne Michaels called me and he said, ‘I really need you to show up. I really, really need this. Rudy Giuliani is going to be here. All the firefighters are going to be here. Paul Simon is going to sing, I just need you to come out and do something a little light and tell America that we got to laugh again. We’ve got to get back the national spirit.’”
The Personal and Professional Stakes for Witherspoon at the Time
In addition to the public pressure, Witherspoon was juggling major personal and professional milestones. She was a new mother with a one-year-old baby and had just released her biggest movie summer hit. She admitted her Southern upbringing and military-influenced work ethic played a big role in her decision to take on the hosting duties despite her reservations.
“I also had a baby. I had a one-year-old. I was a new mom,”
Witherspoon explained.
“I had the biggest movie come out that summer.”
She also revealed that Lorne Michaels’ subtle reverse psychology encouraged her:
“Well, Lorne said, ‘If you don’t want to do it, it’s okay.’ And I’m like, ‘Quit?’”
The Emotional Toll and Historic Context of the Episode
Although the show went on successfully, Witherspoon described feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility at such a young age. She shared that the experience was so intense she
“completely left my body…. It’s not the show’s fault. It was just too much responsibility for a 24-year-old girl.”
At the time, Witherspoon came close to becoming one of the youngest hosts in SNL history, a record still held by Drew Barrymore, who hosted at age seven in 1982.
Memorable Moments and Legendary Appearances During the Return Episode
The episode stood out for several reasons. Before Witherspoon’s monologue, Paul Simon performed “The Boxer,” a poignant choice given the somber national mood. Then Mayor Rudy Giuliani addressed the audience in a special moment that temporarily shifted the show’s usual format. Lorne Michaels famously asked Giuliani if they could be funny, to which the mayor replied, “Why start now?”
Following this, Witherspoon delivered her monologue and appeared alongside rising comedic talents who would become stars, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph. Poehler, reflecting on the experience on her Good Hang podcast with Kristen Wiig, recalled the atmosphere of uncertainty that surrounded the show’s future.
“That was my first show, and everyone was like, ‘I think comedy’s over!’ I remember thinking, ‘Well maybe like, hang in there for six more months so I can just tell my parents that I did the show,’”
Poehler joked.
Why This Episode Remains a Pivotal Moment for SNL and America
Reese Witherspoon’s decision to host SNL after 9/11 represented more than a television appearance; it was a symbolic gesture of resilience and the healing power of laughter during a difficult moment in American history. The episode helped rekindle the show’s role as a source of comfort and humor, uniting performers, first responders, government officials, and viewers. For Witherspoon, it marked a significant personal and professional milestone, as well as a defining moment for the show’s storied legacy.
Witherspoon’s candid reflections in her interview with Dax Shepard continue to shed light on the complexities behind what seemed a straightforward comedy gig, revealing the anxiety and weight she carried as a new mother and emerging star asked to carry a nation’s hopes back to the screen.
