Ryan Reynolds has reportedly taken credit for the joke about his wife Blake Lively’s legal dispute with Justin Baldoni,
which he delivered during the “SNL 50” anniversary special. According to “Saturday Night Live” cue card coordinator Wally Feresten,
the “Deadpool” actor came up with the remark himself, a claim that has since been disputed by sources close to Reynolds.
During a Tuesday appearance on the “Fifi, Fev and Nick” podcast, Feresten revealed that Reynolds initially had a different line during rehearsals but decided to change it.
“He had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that to replace it,” Feresten stated. “That was his idea.”
Feresten also emphasized that “SNL” would not typically include any controversial material without the direct involvement or approval of the celebrities in question.
“We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it,” he added.
However, a source close to Reynolds quickly denied Feresten’s claim, asserting that the actor was not responsible for the joke’s creation. NBC also refuted the claim, adding another layer of uncertainty to the controversy. Meanwhile, representatives for Reynolds have not yet responded to requests for comment from Page Six.
The joke in question took place during the special event when Reynolds, 48, was seated in the audience with Lively, 37. He was approached by comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who acknowledged his presence.
“Ryan Reynolds! How’s it going?” they asked.
Reynolds, seemingly referencing his wife’s ongoing legal drama, responded with a quip: “Great! Why? What have you heard?”
The remark quickly sparked reactions from both fans and critics, as well as from Baldoni’s legal team. The next day, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, addressed the moment, expressing his astonishment at the couple’s public demeanor amid the ongoing lawsuit.
“I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation,” Freedman said on “Hot Mics with Billy Bush” on Monday. “I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.”
In the wake of the joke, an insider told Page Six that Baldoni’s legal team may try to use the couple’s “SNL 50” appearance to their advantage in the ongoing legal battle. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it,” the source claimed, hinting that Lively and Reynolds’ public presence at the event might not work in their favor.
Meanwhile, some Hollywood insiders expressed concerns about the couple’s decision to attend the high-profile anniversary celebration. “It was not a good look,” one industry insider told Page Six. “It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will leverage this public outing in some way.”
As backlash mounted over Reynolds’ comment, Lively reportedly took action. On Tuesday evening, she filed an amended complaint in New York federal court, adding new details to the case. The revised legal documents allege that other women involved in the production of “It Ends With Us” were also made to feel uncomfortable by Baldoni’s actions.
Public reactions to Reynolds’ joke were mixed, with many social media users criticizing “SNL” for making light of a serious issue. “Gross. So they’re supporting the bullies too,” one commenter wrote on a viral clip of the moment. Another user added, “SNL has always been sooo problematic. Highlighting the abusers while making fun of the victims. Remember when they made a skit about the Try Guys & Ned’s cheating? Yeah. Jokes at the expense of others. No integrity whatsoever.”
Despite the criticism, a separate source told Page Six that Reynolds and Lively do not regret their decision to attend the event. “They have nothing to hide and no reason not to show up,” the source stated.
The “SNL 50” controversy adds yet another chapter to the ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni. With the lawsuit still unfolding, it remains to be seen whether Reynolds’ joke will have any lasting impact on the case or the public’s perception of the situation.
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