Ryan Reynolds humorously referenced the ongoing legal battle involving his wife, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni during the 'SNL50' special. The legal conflict stems from Lively's allegations of sexual harassment against Baldoni, leading to a complex series of lawsuits. Reynolds' joke sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as inappropriate given the serious nature of the allegations.
Ryan Reynolds made headlines during the 'Saturday Night Live' 50th-anniversary special by joking about the ongoing legal battle involving his wife, Blake Lively, and her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. This legal saga, which has captivated public attention, involves serious allegations of sexual harassment and defamation. Reynolds' lighthearted approach on a public platform has triggered a range of reactions, further fueling the media frenzy surrounding this high-profile dispute.
During the 'Saturday Night Live' 50th-anniversary special, Ryan Reynolds participated in a Q&A sketch with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In a humorous exchange, Reynolds responded to a question about how he was doing with, 'Great! Why, what have you heard?' This quip was perceived as a nod to the ongoing legal drama between his wife, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni. The audience laughed, but the moment was met with mixed reactions online, with some criticizing the appropriateness of making light of such serious allegations. Lively, seated next to Reynolds, appeared concerned, adding to the speculation about whether she was aware of the joke beforehand [1] [2].
The legal conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni began in December when Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni. This led to a series of lawsuits, with Lively suing Baldoni for harassment and Baldoni counter-suing Lively, Reynolds, and their PR team for defamation and extortion. Baldoni also filed a libel suit against The New York Times, claiming inaccuracies in their reporting. The public nature of these lawsuits has drawn significant media attention, with a trial date set for March 2026 [3] [4].
Reynolds' joke on SNL has sparked varied reactions. While some saw it as a humorous moment, others criticized it for trivializing serious allegations. The legal teams involved are considering the potential impact of this public appearance on the ongoing legal proceedings. Baldoni's team may use Reynolds' joke as part of their defense strategy, arguing it undermines the seriousness of the allegations. The case is set to go to trial in March 2026, with both parties preparing their arguments amidst ongoing public scrutiny [5] [6].
Ryan Reynolds' appearance on 'SNL50' has added another layer to the ongoing legal battle involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. While Reynolds' joke was intended as light-hearted, it highlights the complex and public nature of the legal proceedings. As the trial date approaches, the public and legal scrutiny surrounding the case continues to intensify, with both sides preparing their cases amidst a backdrop of media attention and public debate.
"Great! Why, what have you heard?" - Ryan Reynolds
"These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious." - Bryan Freedman
"This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim." - Blake Lively's lawyers