Prince Harry was close to hosting ‘SNL’ before talks stalled at the last minute


Live from New York … it’s Prince Harry!

Multiple sources told Page Six that Baghi Shahi was in talks to host “Saturday Night Live” last year.

Producers of the long-running NBC show were in talks with Harry regarding the January release of his memoir “Spear,” but talks stalled at the 11th hour.

A well-placed TV source told us: “I know Harry was totally up for it, he was really serious about doing it – and it would have been great fun as a book promo.

“The producers of ‘SNL’ have been behind Harry for a while. Everyone on the show was really into the idea, and people are definitely on board.

Another industry insider confirmed the talks, adding: “There are always a lot of names in the mix, but Harry was definitely one that was being discussed.”

Prince Harry
“SNL” honcho Lorne Michaels would reportedly still love to have Prince Harry on the show.
Getty Images

It’s not known why the hosting gig didn’t work out, but Harry ended up doing American TV interviews for his book, including CBS’s “60 Minutes” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” .

Sources told Page Six that “SNL” executive producer Lorne Michaels still likes the idea of ​​Harry, 38, on the show, though the insider mused: “I could even see Harry making a surprise appearance in a sketch.” I can.”

Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Anne Hathaway
Fred Armisen (left) and Bill Hader (right) play Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as mob bosses in 2010, with Anne Hathaway playing Princess Kate.
SNL/NBC

Representatives for Harry and “SNL” did not return requests for comment.

“SNL” has a long history of making fun of the royal family. Fred Armisen often played Queen Elizabeth as a cockney mob boss, alongside Bill Hader as Prince Philip, while Martin Short appeared in a 2012 sketch of Princess Kate’s first ob-gyn appointment. .

This past Saturday night, the show once again poked fun at Harry and the royal family when James Austin Johnson and Dion Walker appeared on “Weekend Update” as two “British rappers” named “Millie Pounds” and “Shirty” and Played Eton’s former colleagues.

James Austin Johnson, Dion Walker, Michael Chi
James Austin Johnson (center) and Dion Walker (right) play Prince Harry’s old school friends during “Weekend Update” with Michael Che on Feb. 4.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images

Michael Che asked the pair: “So, guys, what’s going on with the royal family? Can you give us an update?”

Johnson, as “Millie Pounds”, said: “Okay, okay, okay, listen, mate. Well, all the attention is on the royal family, right, when it should be on Britain’s exploitative tabloid press. It’s pants.” , man. Rubbish. Pants.”

He added: “They feel bad for our boy Harry, all right. We know what really goes down. We know Harry from our days at Eton.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle at the Ripple of Hope Awards in December.
Janet Mayer / SplashNews.com

Austin then began rapping: “Prince Harry, Prince Harry, stay with Tyler Perry. Cold press like Ben and Jerry’s. I’m allergic to dairy.”

Walker continued as “Shirty”: “Harry and Meghan, Ronald Reagan, interracial dating, the Queen said, ‘Not today, the devil.’

Harry’s wife, former “Suits” star Meghan Markle, showed off her hilarious photos on the “Ellen” show in November 2021 when she took part in a prank segment.

Prince Harry was all jokes when he joined Steven Colbert on the "Late Show" in January.
Prince Harry was all jokes when he joined Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show” in January.
CBS via Getty Images

Sales of the controversial “Spear” – in which Harry spoke about his brother Prince William as well as Princess Kate, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla – now exceed 3.2 million worldwide.

According to Guinness World Records, it is also the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, after moving 1.43 million copies during its first day on sale in the UK, US and Canada – President Barack Obama 2020 ’s book “A Promised” leaves behind. Earth.”


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