No, Ryan Reynolds Didn't Pitch ThatSNLJoke About the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Saga

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Reynolds during the ‘Audience Q&A’ sketch on Feb. 16, 2025.Photo:Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty

Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty

Reynolds and wifeBlake Livelyreturned to the spotlight amid their legal battle withJustin Baldoniwhen they attended the starrySNL50: The Anniversary Specialtaping in New York City on Sunday, Feb. 16.

Forone sketch, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey took questions from the audience, including an appearance from Reynolds, 48, whoseemingly alluded to the headline-making lawsuits.

When asked “How’s it going?” theDeadpoolactor, with Lively seated beside him, responded, “Great. Why? What have you heard?” before moving on with a bit about ingesting toxic Coneheads prosthetics.

LongtimeSNLcrew member Wally Feresten, a.k.a. “Cue Card Wally,” made an appearance on the Australianradio showFifi, Fev & Nickto offer behind-the-scenes insight.

When asked if Reynolds improvised the joke, Feresten, who handwrites the cue cards used to help performers remember their lines during the live shows, said, “He had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that. So that was his idea to do it. We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it. Yeah, that was his line. That was his idea.”

However, a spokesperson forSNLdenied that claim to PEOPLE, noting that Feresten isn’t a writer involved in the show’s creative process.

Ryan Reynolds on Feb. 16, 2025.

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Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Baldonicriticized Reynolds for making the jokein the middle of their ongoing legal battle. “I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation,” Freedman said onHot Mics with Billy BushMonday, adding, “It surprised me.”

Lively, 37, sued herIt Ends With Uscostar Baldoni, 41, and others in December, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign, which he denies. In January, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion, a lawsuit her lawyers called “meritless.”

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on Feb. 16, 2025.NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty

NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty

An insider told PEOPLE earlier this week that Lively, whose next filmAnother Simple Favoropens soon,was “nervous” to return to the spotlightbut “excited to be out with friends and supportSaturday Night Live.”

She and Reynolds, who wed in 2012 and share four kids, “had a great time,” the insider added: “It was nice getting out of the house and being around friends and familiar faces.”

source: people.com