Overview
- Speaking on the Armchair Expert podcast on Nov. 3, Witherspoon called her 2001 debut a “zero stars” experience and said the weight of the moment overwhelmed her.
- Lorne Michaels asked her to step in after the original premiere was canceled, telling her Rudy Giuliani, FDNY members and Paul Simon would be there to signal a return to laughter.
- Witherspoon said she was 24, a new mother with a one-year-old and fresh off Legally Blonde, which intensified the pressure to follow through.
- She recalled “leaving [her] body” during the broadcast and did not host again until May 2015 in season 40.
- The Sept. 29, 2001 episode opened with Giuliani’s remarks and Paul Simon performing The Boxer, drew later criticism from former writer Hugh Fink over her monologue, and earned praise from Michaels, who called her decision “fearless.”