Reese Witherspoon recently shared her memories of hosting the first Saturday Night Live episode after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This challenging moment took place on September 29, 2001, marking the series premiere of that season and testing the nation’s spirit. The actress opened up about this intense experience while discussing her career on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, highlighting the pressure she faced during this historic live show.
The Heavy Responsibility on a Young Actress
Reese was only 24 years old when Lorne Michaels, the head of Saturday Night Live, personally requested her presence for the episode. Riding high on the success of Legally Blonde, she admits that hosting SNL at that moment came with immense demands. Michaels asked her to carry the weight of reminding America to find laughter and hope amidst the grief of 9/11, a responsibility she felt was overwhelming for someone so young.
“Lorne Michaels called me and he said, ‘I really need you to show up. I really, really need this. Rudy Giuliani’s gonna be here. All the firefighters are gonna be here. Paul Simon is gonna sing. I just need you to come out and do something a little light and tell America, ‘You can’t feel sad. We gotta laugh again. We’ve got to get back the national spirit,’”
Reese Witherspoon, Actress
Adding to the challenge, Reese was balancing motherhood with stardom. She had a one-year-old baby at the time and was managing the release of her biggest film. Despite these pressures, she committed to the task.
“I was 24. I also had a baby. I had a one-year-old. I was a new mom. I had the biggest movie come out that summer,”
Reese Witherspoon, Actress
“But if you know me, if I tell you I’m going to do something, I mean there has to be a real disaster. … We did it and it was good.”
Reese Witherspoon, Actress
The Musical Guests and Later Hosting Return
The episode also featured Alicia Keys as the musical guest, with Paul Simon performing as well. Following this emotionally weighty show, Reese did not return as a host for another 15 years. Her next appearance hosting SNL came in Season 40, during the 20th episode, with Florence + the Machine as the musical guest.
Reflections on the Impact and Her SNL Legacy
Looking back, Reese Witherspoon rates her first post-9/11 SNL episode harshly, calling it “zero stars” and advising against repeating such an experience.
“I would give that zero stars. Do not recommend,”
Reese Witherspoon, Actress
This episode remains a significant moment in live television history, symbolizing the difficult task of bringing light to a grieving nation. Reese’s honesty about the pressure and emotional toll reveals the weight carried by performers during that period and underscores why she took a lengthy break from hosting. Her story provides insight into how entertainers helped the country begin to heal through laughter amid tragedy.
