The Best 'SNL' Host of Season 37: Nos. 9-12

Saturday Night Live may have wrapped up its 37th season, but that doesn't mean we can't keep talking about the show. Twenty-two different actors, singers, athletes and whatever it is Lindsay Lohan does these days hosted the late-night institution over the past eight months, and in no way were all their efforts equal. Some hosts gave it their all (and got some excellent writing to support their stint) while other hosts possibly slept-walked through rehearsals and barely even realized they were hosting SNL.

Every day this week, The Bill Kuchman Chronicle will countdown the season's hosts. You'll get two bonus hosts on Monday, but after that, each day will bring four additional hosts.

MONDAY: Nos. 17-22 • TUESDAY: Nos. 13-16 • WEDNESDAY: Nos. 9-12

THURSDAY: Nos. 5-8 • FRIDAY: Nos. 1-4 

No. 12: Katy Perry
Dec. 10, 2011 (Episode No. 9)

Katy Perry had so much potential as an SNL host. Her Elmo T-shirt appearance a few years ago was legendary. Surely the SNL writers could have built from that point. Well, it turns out that those writers thought it was best to keep Perry buttoned up both when it came to her clothing and her comedy.

Best sketch: One Magical Night


One Magical Night gave Perry the chance to be a little bit weird, pairing her with Bobby Moynihan. Jason Sudeikis' lounge singer role in this sketch was probably his biggest role of the season too.

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No. 11: Charlie Day
Nov. 5, 2011 (Episode No. 5)

Those of us who are used to seeing Charlie Day on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia know that Day could've been an epic SNL host. Unfortunately, the SNL writers didn't realize that, making Day play background roles in most of his sketches.

Best sketch: Crime Scene


It took until the episode's last sketch to finally get Day and Sudeikis, his Horrible Bosses' costar, together. This fact alone shows that the problems with Day's episode were the writing staff's fault, not the actor's.

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No. 10: Zooey Deschanel
Feb. 11, 2012 (Episode No. 14)

Like expected, Zooey Deschanel was adorable in her SNL hosting gig. She sang a song and even joined in on Abby Elliott's Bein' Quirky with Zooey Deschanel, playing Mary-Kate Olsen. Deschanel was noticeably nervous at times during the show, but unlike other hosts, she did everything she could to deliver a good show.

Best sketch: Newspaper


Newspaper was right up Deschanel's alley, giving her the chance to put on an old-timey voice and act against Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig and Moynihan.

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No. 9: Jonah Hill
March 10, 2012 (Episode No. 17)

Jonah Hill's previous stint hosting SNL was a funny episode, so it was expected that Hill's return — now armed with an Academy Award nomination, would be too. The actor didn't disappoint, mixing a few new sketches like Brutus, the scientist who had sex with the monkey he made talk, with older sketches like the six-year-old out to eat with his dad.

Best sketch: Jonah Hill Monologue


Hill started his show off strong with his monologue. After getting a reputation for letting his Moneyball Oscar nomination go to his head during awards season, Hill had no problem letting SNL make fun of him, even getting Tom Hanks to show up to join in on the action.