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Every SNL Host Who Pulled "Double Duty" as Musical Guest
From Paul Simon to Dua Lipa — and five The Voice Coaches! — these talented folks were SNL Host and Musical Guest in the same episode.
Between the frantic pace of a table read, late-night writing sessions, rehearsals, and actually performing comedy on live TV, being a Saturday Night Live Host is as much a challenge as it is a privilege. And that's twice as true for those who've been Host and Musical Guest in the same episode — a feat that's known as pulling "double duty" on SNL.
Like the SNL Five Timers Club, the celebrities who've pulled double duty on Saturday Night Live are an elite crew. Since the show's premiere in 1975, less than 50 stars have done it. When you consider the fact that over 900 episodes of SNL have aired over 49 seasons, it's a truly rare occurrence, and one that takes a lot of guts to pull off.
As the list below reveals, two Host-Musical Guests are also members of the Five Timers Club (hint: One of them won several Emmys for their R-rated musical collaborations with Andy Samberg). Five have been Coaches on The Voice. And three have returned as recently as Season 49 to "only" perform as the Musical Guest.
RELATED: Every Celebrity in SNL's Five Timers Club
From Paul Simon to Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones (yes, the entire band) to Dua Lipa, here is every celebrity who's been Host and Musical Guest in the same episode. You'll notice a few here — such as Deion Sanders — who technically welcomed another artist as Musical Guest. But if they also performed at least two songs on the Studio 8H stage while they were Host? It's on this list, because we're completists.
Every celebrity who has done double duty on SNL
Paul Simon
SNL double-duty dates: October 18, 1975; November 20, 1976; May 10, 1986; and December 19, 1987
Musician Paul Simon was the second-ever Host of Saturday Night Live. He's also the fourth person to host SNL five times, first pulling double duty in the show's experimental 1970s era before it settled into the format we know today (back when the show was still called NBC's Saturday Night).
Like many early double-duty SNL Hosts / Musical Guests, Simon was joined by fellow musicians for several performances, such as Art Garfunkel in 1975, ex-Beatle George Harrison in 1976, and Graceland collaborators Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1986.
Lily Tomlin
SNL double-duty dates: November 22, 1975 and January 22, 1983
Comedy icon Lily Tomlin's 1975 SNL debut found her singing with Howard Shore & the All Nurse Band (she was one of the Nurses), and returned for double duty again in 1983 when she performed as a singer named Pervis Hawkins.
Desi Arnaz
SNL double-duty date: February 21, 1976
The musician and former I Love Lucy star performed his hit "Babalu" with Desi Arnaz, Jr., his son with Lucille Ball.
RELATED: Why the First SNL Cast Were Called The Not Ready for Prime Time Players
Kris Kristofferson
SNL double-duty date: July 31, 1976
This one is a teeny bit of a technicality, as Kristofferson's then-wife Rita Coolidge was officially billed as musical guest. But Kristofferson performed a duet with Coolidge followed by a solo performance of his own — that's double duty in our book.
Ray Charles
SNL double-duty date: November 12, 1977
Seeing Ray Charles perform "What'd I Say?" and "I Got a Woman" live in Studio 8H back in 1977 must have been incredible. Comedians Buck Henry and Franklyn Ajaye were also on hand to add levity.
Art Garfunkel
SNL double-duty date: March 11, 1978
Paul Simon's former musical partner got his own double-duty stint in 1978, with singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop as a special guest performing "On and On" (there were WAY more musical performances in the first few seasons).
Garfunkel covered Sam Cooke's "(What A) Wonderful World" in his monologue, later delivering "All I Know" and a solo version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair."
The Rolling Stones
SNL double-duty date: October 7, 1978
The Rock Hall of Famers performed now-classics "Shattered" and "Beast of Burden," plus "Respectable," in an episode where the monologue was delivered by then-Mayor Ed Koch. While the band wouldn't host again, it was just the beginning for Mick Jagger, who's appeared on SNL as recently as Season 49.
Frank Zappa
SNL double-duty date: October 21, 1978
The eclectic musician had been a Musical Guest in 1976 during Season 10, and returned as Host and Musical guest two years later. Zappa performed "Dancin' Fool," "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing," and "Rollo" — and starred in a Coneheads sketch.
Gary Busey
SNL double-duty date: March 10, 1979
This one's another technicality, as jazz composer Eubie Blake and actor, singer and tap dancer Gregory Hines, who was starring in a musical about Blake's life at the time, were billed Musical Guests. But Busey, who'd just starred in The Buddy Holly Story as the titular rocker, also performed the song "Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)" in the night's fourth musical number.
Debbie Harry
SNL double-duty date: February 14, 1981
Musician and sometime actor Debbie Harry's episode is historic, though not for Harry's sketch performances.
While the Blondie frontwoman performed the songs "Love T.K.O." and "Come Back Jonee," she also welcomed hip hop group Funky 4 + 1 — and their now-classic "That's the Joint" was the first-ever rap performance to be aired on television.
Olivia Newton-John
SNL double-duty date: May 22, 1982
In the Season 7 finale, the English-Australian Grease star sang her hit, "Physical," during her SNL monologue, later performing album cuts "Make a Move on Me" and "Landslide." And yes, there was a Grease parody.
Stevie Wonder
SNL double-duty date: May 7, 1983
The iconic singer-songwriter performed "Fingertips" in his monologue as well as "Overjoyed" and Go Home," and appeared in several sketches with Eddie Murphy, who'd played him on the show previously.
"Dion and Blair: Stevie Wonder"
Willie Nelson
SNL double-duty date: February 21, 1987
Country legend Willie Nelson was Host and Musical guest in Season 12, during which he paid a visit to The Church Lady (Dana Carvey) and performed "The Boyfriend Song" with cast member Victoria Jackson.
"The Boyfriend Song (ft. Willie Nelson)"
Dolly Parton
SNL double-duty date: April 15, 1989
Dolly Parton's Season 14 double-duty SNL was to promote her role in 1989's Steel Magnolias, and she brought that Dolly magic to sketches and her performances of "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" and "White Limozeen."
"Dolly Parton Monologue"
Quincy Jones
SNL double-duty date: April 15, 1989
The renowned producer (and father of The Office alum Rashida Jones!) brought a large contingent of performers to help with the performances in the Season 15 episode, including Tevin Campbell, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Melle Mel, and Al Jarreau.
Sting
SNL double-duty date: January 19, 1991
Sting has plenty of experience on the Studio 8H stage, as he's been Musical Guest four times and hosted for a second time on March 15, 1997. His double-duty stint was the perfect '90s SNL episode: There was a Wayne's World cold open, and it was the debut of three iconic sketches: "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey," Mike Myers' "Coffee Talk," and Rob Schneider's "Richmeister" office guy.
MC Hammer
SNL double-duty date: December 7, 1991
Toward the end of the height of the "U Can't Touch This" rapper's fame, he was a Season 17 Host and Musical Guest—and his performance of "Addams Groove" was introduced by stars Christina Ricci and Jimmy Workman in character as Wednesday and Pugsley Addams. Hammer was also an extremely good sport about his real-life hairstyle in the sketch "Bad Haircut Support Group."
"Bad Haircut Support Group"
Deion Sanders
SNL double-duty date: February 18, 1995
...And speaking of MC Hammer, this next double-duty host released an album on Hammer's Bust It Records in 1994 — but his music career places an extremely-distant third to his fame as a professional football and baseball player and coach.
In another technicality, Sanders was *a* musical guest on his episode, with Bon Jovi officially billed. Yet Coach Prime also pulled up to perform two songs from his Prime Time release. Iconically, then-rapper Sanders also starred with Adam Sandler, Tim Meadows, and Michael McKean in a sketch titled "Simple Rappers" where they played...well, the title says it all.
"Simple Rappers"
Garth Brooks
SNL double-duty dates: February 28, 1998, and November 13, 1999 (as Chris Gaines)
Not everyone can say they've performed at a presidential inauguration and pulled double duty on SNL twice, but Garth Brooks can. Brooks' second episode in two years found him performing music not as country star Garth Brooks, but as his emo-ish rock persona, Chris Gaines (the '90s were wild).
Britney Spears
SNL double-duty dates: May 13, 2000; February 2, 2002
Like her former Disney costar Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears absolutely crushed it as a thoroughly-committed SNL Host in her two double duty turns. Her second time served as promo for Spears' starring movie vehicle Crossroads, and she starred in sketches with Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, and Tracy Morgan in addition to performing "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman."
"Inside Barbie's Dreamhouse: Skipper"
Jennifer Lopez
SNL double-duty dates: February 10, 2001; February 27, 2010
Triple-threat Jennifer Lopez first pulled double duty in 2001, the year she starred in The Wedding Planner. She returned in Season 35 to do it again, a standout being her turn in the recurring sketch "Eternal Spark of Love" opposite Jason Sudeikis.
"Eternal Spark of Love: Office Romance"
Justin Timberlake
SNL double-duty dates: October 11, 2003; December 16, 2006; March 9, 2013
Timberlake, a member of the Five-Timers Club, earned his first Emmy win for "Dick in a Box" from his second double-duty episode (his work on SNL has earned him 8 noms in total). He's hosted two additional times and was Musical Guest three times, most recently in Season 49.
RELATED: D*** in a Box: A History of the SNL Musical Sketch
Janet Jackson
SNL double-duty date: April 10, 2004
Ten years after her debut as musical guest in 1994, the inimitable Janet Jackson graced the stage as Host and Musical Guest, reviving her Good Times character, Penny, in a parody and playing Paula Abdul in a "Prince Show" sketch starring Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen as Beyonce and Prince.
"Janet Jackson Monologue"
Queen Latifah
SNL double-duty date: October 9, 2004
The rapper and actress, who previously hosted in 2003, returned for double duty in 2004 – the same year she starred in Taxi with Jimmy Fallon. Her episode included the sketch "Zinger vs. Snap" which found her and Seth Meyers playing nuclear physicists on a quest to roast each other.
"Zinger vs. Snap"
Ludacris
SNL double-duty date: November 18, 2006
Rapper and Fast and Furious franchise star/family member Ludacris performed "Money Maker" and "Runaway Love" with special guest Mary J. Blige. He also appeared in a "Blizzard Man" sketch with Andy Samberg, in which Luda flexed his acting skills pretending Samberg's in-character rapping was good.
"Blizzard Man with Ludacris"
Taylor Swift
SNL double-duty date: November 7, 2009
A four-time SNL Musical Guest, Swift's sole double duty episode came in Season 35. Swift did an impression of reality star Kate Gosselin in a The View sketch, and starred with Bill Hader in a Twilight ("Firelight") parody.
As Seth Meyers told Howard Stern years later, "we brought Taylor in Lorne’s office … [and] she sings this song which is not only a beautiful song by a beautiful singer, it’s a perfect ‘SNL’ monologue. Fully formed.” Her self-penned monologue was a self-deprecating acknowledgement of her VMAs incident with Kanye West and her dating life.
"Taylor Swift Monologue"
Elton John
SNL double-duty date: April 2, 2011
English singer-songwriter Elton John hadn't appeared on the show since he was Musical Guest in 1982 (for Host Johnny Cash). His ep included a pretaped "Laser Cats" from Bill Hader and Andy Samberg's series, which co-starred Tom Hanks.
Mick Jagger
SNL double-duty date: May 19, 2012
When Jagger was Host and Musical Guest for the Season 37 finale, he wasn't joined by his previous co-Hosts The Rolling Stones. Instead, Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, and Jeff Beck assisted with musical duties, NBD.
Bruno Mars
SNL double-duty date: October 20, 2012
Bruno Mars' SNL episode is fondly remembered for the "Pandora Internet Radio" sketch that tapped his ace musical impression skills — but don't sleep on his work in the pretaped "Sad Mouse" short, in which the "Uptown Funk" singer plays a dejected Times Square mascot.
Justin Bieber
SNL double duty date: February 9, 2012
Canadian pop megastar Justin Bieber's episode included a "The Californians" installment (he played a runaway) and a standout "Principal Frye" sketch. Bieber would return to be Musical Guest twice in 2020.
"Principal Frye: Valentine's Day Dance"
Miley Cyrus
SNL double duty dates: October 5, 2013 and October 3, 2015
Like Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus can definitely be considered a "friend of the show": She's pulled double duty twice, hosted once before that in 2011, has been Musical Guest four times, and gave a killer performance of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" on SNL's 40th anniversary special. Also like Timberlake, Spears, and Ariana Grande, Cyrus has lived in the spotlight since childhood, making her uniquely suited for the double duty challenge.
Lady Gaga
SNL double duty date: November 16, 2013
Lady Gaga's episode was extremely 2013 (there was a KimYe sketch, and her jazzy monologue was giving Tony Bennett Collab Era). Her talent for camp was put to excellent use in the "Crazy Co-Op Board," in which she played a New York City gal who inspired Marisa Tomei's My Cousin Vinny character. We know who to call if there's a remake.
"Crazy Co-Op Board"
Drake
SNL double duty dates: January 18, 2014 and May 14, 2016
Aubrey Graham is yet another child star turned SNL double-duty dazzler, doing it twice. His 2014 ep is best remembered for his hilarious dorky dad in "An Awkward Slumber Party" with Aidy Bryant, while the star of his 2016 turn was the pretaped "Drake's Beef."
Blake Shelton
SNL double duty date: January 24, 2015
The country star and former The Voice Coach was famous for his funny banter with Adam Levine, and he tapped his comedic talents in an episode where he also performed "Boys 'Round Here" from 2013's Based on a True Story, and "Neon Light" from his Bringing Back the Sunshine album.
His vocal skills would be wasted without a musical sketch moment, and "Wishin Boot" truly delivered.
RELATED: 3 Reasons Why Blake Shelton's "Wishin Boot" SNL Song Is Iconic
Ariana Grande
SNL double duty date: March 12, 2016
If you could've sworn Ariana Grande's pulled double duty more than once, it's a.) wishful thinking and we get it, and b.) because she kills in sketches even when she's "just" the Musical Guest, as recently as Josh Brolin's Season 49 episode.
In the sequel to Bruno Mars' musical impressions sketch, Grande showcased her mimicry skills as a Tidal intern who can sing just like Celine Dion, Shakira, and Whitney Houston. Grande performed "Dangerous Woman" and "Be Alright" from her third studio album, Dangerous Woman.
RELATED: Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang Remixed Moulin Rouge on SNL
Donald Glover
SNL double duty date: May 5, 2018
What can't Donald Glover do? The actor, rapper, standup comedian, director, former 30 Rock writer, and former Community star pulled double duty during the successful run of his Atlanta series, performing "Saturday" and "This Is America" as Childish Gambino (his songs were introduced by Zoe Kravitz and Daniel Kaluuya).
The Mr. and Mrs. Smith actor also tapped rapper A$AP Rocky for a cameo in the "Friendos" sketch.
"Friendos"
Halsey
SNL double duty date: February 9, 2019
Halsey's episode brought us the musical sketch "Valentine's Song," co-starring Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong in a jam that laments how the formerly romantic holiday now involves kids and bosses, somehow. The singer's been Musical Guest three additional times.
Chance the Rapper
SNL double duty date: October 26, 2019
The rapper, songwriter and The Voice Coach's double-duty ep was his second time hosting and awesomely, he got a Halloween episode. In addition to starring in some seasonal sketches, he revived his MSG Knicks reporter character from his 2017 show.
"Spooky Song"
Harry Styles
SNL double duty date: November 16, 2019
Harry Styles had already graced the stage as Musical Guest three times, both solo and as a member of One Direction, before he hosted amid the release of his Fine Line album. His "Joan Song" sketch with Aidy Bryant, in which he played her dog "boyfriend" Doug, will always be famous.
Nick Jonas
SNL double duty date: February 27, 2021
He's been a Voice Coach, a Broadway star, TV actor and a boybander, but four-time SNL Musical Guest Nick Jonas has underrated comedic talent. Jonas starred in a hilarious "Cinderella's Slipper" sketch and played himself on Ego Nwodim's "Dionne Warwick Talk Show."
Billie Eilish
SNL double duty date: December 11, 2021
The Oscar-winning singer-songwriter's Season 47 December episode featured plenty of singing and several holiday sketches — including "Christmas Cards," featuring a cameo from Miley Cyrus — and the hilarious "The Night I Met Santa."
Eilish returned for Kate McKinnon's holiday episode in Season 49, appearing in two sketches and covering "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
"Santa Song"
Lizzo
SNL double duty date: April 16, 2022
The multi-talented Lizzo performed her hit "About Damn Time" (she introduced herself with "ladies and gentleman...me!") and "Special" (introduced by her mother) in an episode that featured both a Please Don't Destroy sketch and a signature Lizzo move (twerking while playing the flute).
"Orchestra"
Megan Thee Stallion
SNL double duty date: October 15, 2022
The "Hiss" rapper's sketches, such as "Hot Girl Hospital," were among Season 48's most-watched. Meg's charisma buoyed an episode in which she also performed "Anxiety" and an "NDA/Plan B" medley, and she starred in the hilarious musical sketch "We Got Brought" with Bowen Yang.
"We Got Brought"
Jack Harlow
SNL double duty date: October 29, 2022
"Lovin on Me" rapper and sometime actor Jack Harlow's Halloween episode brought the welcome return of Tom Hanks' David S. Pumpkins, as well as a throwback "Weekend Update" visit from Drunk Uncle (Bobby Moynihan).
Bad Bunny
SNL double duty date: October 21, 2023
The Puerto Rican music megastar hosted in conjunction with the release of his fifth solo studio album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. In addition to performing album cuts "UN PREVIEW" and "MONACO," his episode featured cameos from Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga (who introduced his first song), and Season 48 Host Pedro Pascal, who Bad Bunny joined in drag for a new "Protective Mom" sketch.
"Protective Mom 2"
Dua Lipa
SNL double duty date: May 4, 2024
"I'm so excited. I'm really really looking forward to it. I'm just going to throw myself into what could quite be the maddest experience of my life and just have fun with it," the "Illusion" singer told Time on the red carpet of the Time100 Gala in New York on April 25. Lipa was also a recent guest on Bowen Yang's podcast, Las Culturistas, and she added that she "was picking his brain a little before I get into all the madness."
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