Ryan Reynolds’ recent joke during the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special has stirred significant controversy, 

as it appeared to reference his wife Blake Lively’s ongoing legal battle with actor-director Justin Baldoni. 

The moment, which played out during a Q&A segment with hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, 

quickly became a focal point of public debate, drawing criticism from Baldoni’s legal team and sparking discussions on how it might impact the case.

Reynolds’ SNL Joke and Its Immediate Impact

During the SNL special, Fey directed a question to Reynolds, asking, “How’s it going?” 

The Deadpool & Wolverine star responded with a seemingly lighthearted yet pointed quip: “Great, why? What have you heard?”

The audience responded with laughter, but many viewers and legal analysts have since dissected the remark, given its apparent allusion to Lively’s legal dispute with Baldoni.

Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and alleging that he orchestrated a smear campaign against her. Baldoni, in turn, countersued in January 2025, seeking $400 million in damages and claiming that Lively and Reynolds worked to damage his reputation. The lawsuit alleges that Reynolds personally contacted talent agency WME, urging them to sever ties with Baldoni by labeling him a “sexual predator.”

Debate Over the Joke’s Origin

Following the broadcast, Saturday Night Live staffer Wally Feresten—also known as “cue card Wally”—claimed that Reynolds had changed the joke at the last minute. Speaking on an Australian radio show, Feresten alleged that the actor pitched the line himself, replacing a different joke used during rehearsals. However, an SNL spokesperson later denied Feresten’s claims, stating that the joke was written by the SNL team and never altered. The conflicting accounts have only added to the controversy surrounding the moment.

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Condemns Reynolds’ Remarks

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, was quick to condemn Reynolds’ decision to joke about the legal case. During an appearance on the Hot Mics With Billy Bush podcast, Freedman expressed his dismay, saying, “I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation. I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.”

His comments echoed the sentiments of many who felt that Reynolds’ remark was inappropriate, given the gravity of the allegations involved. Critics argue that making light of an ongoing legal battle concerning sexual harassment diminishes the seriousness of the issue.

How the Joke Could Impact the Legal Case

Legal analysts have also weighed in on the potential ramifications of Reynolds’ comment. Jesse Webber, a host for the Law and Crime Network, suggested that Baldoni’s legal team could use the joke as evidence that Lively and Reynolds are not taking the case seriously. Speaking to Access Hollywood, Webber explained:

“Justin Baldoni’s team could potentially use that clip to suggest neither Ryan Reynolds nor Blake Lively are taking this case seriously. They could argue, ‘Blake Lively has filed very serious allegations against me, basically saying that I’m a sexual harasser, that I retaliated against her—and yet they come out and make jokes about it?’”

While it remains uncertain whether the joke would be admissible in court, legal experts suggest that it could influence public perception and potentially affect jury selection or deliberations.

Body Language Analysis Fuels Speculation

Adding another layer to the controversy, body language expert Judi James analyzed Lively’s reaction to Reynolds’ joke, noting that her expression changed abruptly when he made the remark. Speaking to the Daily Mail, James described how Lively’s “smile dies” and her head “snaps round and upward” as she looks at Reynolds, suggesting possible discomfort or concern.

Additionally, actor Kevin Costner’s reaction to the joke has gone viral on social media. Seated near Reynolds and Lively during the show, Costner appeared visibly unimpressed, with some viewers describing his expression as a “grimace.” His reaction has been widely shared, with comments like, “Kevin Costner’s face said it all” and “Loving Kevin Costner in the background—he is clearly not amused.”

Public Reaction and the Ongoing Legal Battle

The debate over Reynolds’ joke highlights the complexities of blending humor with real-life legal disputes. While some fans defended Reynolds, arguing that humor can be a coping mechanism, others felt that joking about such a serious issue was inappropriate.

As the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni continues to unfold, the controversy surrounding Reynolds’ joke adds yet another twist to an already high-profile case. With both sides maintaining their innocence and seeking to discredit each other, the public scrutiny is unlikely to die down anytime soon. Whether or not Reynolds’ remark will play a role in the courtroom remains to be seen, but it has certainly intensified discussions surrounding the lawsuit—and the broader implications of making light of serious allegations in the public sphere.

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