Ryan Reynolds’ SNL Joke Backfires as Kevin Costner Becomes the Face of Disapproval
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Ryan Reynolds’ SNL joke lands awkwardly as Kevin Costner’s reaction steals the show
Move over, Shakespeare—Ryan Reynolds just gave us a modern-day lesson in how not to support your spouse during a public scandal. The Deadpool star, known for his quick wit and impeccable comedic timing, might have missed the mark when he decided to crack a joke at SNL50: The Anniversary Special—a joke that not only “distanced” him from Blake Lively but also left Kevin Costner looking like he’d rather be anywhere else (perhaps even in another Yellowstone spinoff).
Ryan, Read the Room
Reynolds, 47, took part in a Q&A with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler during the SNL event when he casually dropped a line that had the audience gasping louder than a soap opera cliffhanger.
“I have a question,” Reynolds quipped. Fey, likely bracing for impact, responded, “Oh, Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?”
With a smirk, he shot back, “Great—why, what have you heard?”
Cue the sound of a thousand PR managers collectively sighing.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake lively is soooo cringe. Kevin Costner's face tell's it all.
pic.twitter.com/221f3r1gdy— VFH (@ViralFunHub) February 17, 2025
Kevin Costner: The People’s MVP
While Reynolds might have thought his joke was a playful nod to recent events, the audience (and the internet) did not agree. Enter Kevin Costner, who reacted with a face so unimpressed it deserves its own Emmy.
When Ryan Reynolds jumped up at the SNL50 and tried to joke away the current Lively imbroglio, it’s clear that Costner and Cher are Team Baldoni. pic.twitter.com/pESEvvveXJ
— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) February 18, 2025
Viewers quickly turned Costner into a meme, with one Twitter user writing, “The rest of us are Kevin Costner. Ryan, read the room, buddy.”
Another quipped, “Did I just see Kevin Costner physically cringe? He looked like he wanted to disown Hollywood right then and there.”
Even SNL insiders allegedly found the joke a little too spicy for the night’s menu. Sources backstage claimed that some attendees were hesitant to mingle with Reynolds and Lively, fearing they’d be accidentally roped into a scandal-by-association situation.
Blake Lively: Somewhere Between “Yikes” and “Why Me?”
Lively, 37, made her first major public appearance since her lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, and we can only assume she wasn’t expecting to become the punchline of the evening. After all, who doesn’t love it when their husband makes light of their ongoing legal battle on national television?
Relationship experts chimed in, warning that Reynolds may have “stepped out of line” by joking about something as serious as sexual harassment. “Jokes like these minimize the experience of victims and distance Reynolds from being a supportive partner,” said therapist Shari Botwin, whose expertise we can only imagine is now in high demand.
Baldoni Stays Quiet, Internet Does Not
Justin Baldoni, the man at the center of this whole fiasco, has yet to respond to Reynolds’ joke—possibly because he’s too busy fighting off his own legal battles. However, the internet had plenty to say on his behalf.
“Blake and Ryan have some explaining to do. What they did to Justin Baldoni is NOT funny at all.”
“Ryan Reynolds making a joke about all this while his wife is literally in the middle of a lawsuit is WILD. How is this man not sleeping on the couch tonight?”
Final Thoughts: Maybe Stick to Deadpool Jokes?
While Reynolds may have thought he was diffusing tension with humor, he might have just added more fuel to an already raging fire. Public figures, take note: Not every scandal is an opportunity for a quick one-liner—especially when Kevin Costner is in the room, silently judging you.
As for Blake? We sincerely hope she’s enjoying a luxurious spa day after what must have been a very long night of side-eyeing her husband.
