Dana Carvey Says Lorne Michaels Keeps Texting Him About Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Drama

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Blake Lively; Lorne Michaels; Justin Baldoni.Photo:TheStewartofNY/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

TheStewartofNY/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Lorne Michaelsseems to be very invested in theongoing legal battlebetweenBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni.

Ryan Reynoldsmade a joke out of the drama atSNL50: The Anniversary Specialon Feb. 16, noting how things are going “great” whenTina FeyandAmy Poehlerasked, then said,“Why, what have you heard?” — and even after the show ended, Michaels still had the joke on his mind.

Dana Carveyrevealed on the Feb. 20 episode of his andDavid Spade’sFly on the Wallpodcast that Michaels, 80, kept texting him about the legal battle — which began in December whenthe actress sued Baldoni, the director and her costar inIt Ends With Us,over sexual harassment allegations.

Carvey, who was onSNLfrom 1986 to 1993, said he texted the show’s co-creator to congratulate him, and “instead of talking about the show, he just goes, ‘Baldoni will now countersue. I think that Lively will probably get a new attorney.'”

When Carvey specifically highlighted how great he thoughtTom Hanks’ sketch was andSteve Martin’s monologue, he said that Michaels mentioned the lawsuit once again. “I don’t know where Ryan Reynolds is on this but certainly they have deep pockets,” Carvey said while seemingly impersonating Michaels.

It wasn’t clear whether Carvey was reciting exactly what Michaels had said or a version of it.

Ryan Reynolds during the “Audience Q&A” sketch on February 16, 2025.Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty

Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty

Reynolds' quip caught the attention of many during and after the show,including Baldoni’s lawyer, who said onBilly Bush’sHot Micspodcast, “I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that hype of situation.”

It also prompted interest in the joke’s origin. Wally Feresten, a longtimeSNLcrew member, said that Reynolds “had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that [joke instead” onan Australian radio show, buta spokesperson forSNLdenied that to PEOPLE.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attend SNL50.NBC/Noam Galai/NBC via Getty

NBC/Noam Galai/NBC via Getty

Reynolds' nod at his wife’s ongoing legal battle was not the only moment that made headlines from the star-studded show.

The show got off to a fun start asJohn MulaneyandSteve Martindelivered the opening monologue — and Mulaney, 42, poked fun at how it “amazes” him that “only two” previousSNLhosts “have committed murder,” presumably referring toO.J. SimpsonandRobert Blake.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Adam Sandler’stouching musical tribute to the many cast members and alums of the showalso brought out some tears as he gave a special mention to the late alumniChris FarleyandNorm Macdonald.

source: people.com