Ryan Reynolds Lightens the Mood on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Legal Battle During SNL50

Ryan Reynolds, known for his quick wit and humor, turned a potentially awkward situation into a light-hearted moment during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Sitting with his wife Blake Lively, the actor interjected during a comedic bit with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. When asked a casual question about how he was doing, Reynolds humorously responded with, 'Great, why? What have you heard?' The impromptu joke was a nod to the serious legal drama that has been surrounding Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.

The audience roared with laughter at Reynolds' unexpected comment, and even Lively herself was caught in a moment of surprised amusement. The exchange seemed planned as part of the comedic atmosphere of the night, and it offered a brief respite from the tension of the ongoing lawsuits.

The Legal Battle Unfolds

The controversy that Reynolds jokingly referenced started making headlines in December 2023. Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and claiming he attempted to smear her reputation post-release of their film. Baldoni, defending his stance, countersued both Lively and Reynolds with a significant $400 million lawsuit, citing civil extortion and defamation.

The legal battle doesn't end there. Baldoni's aggressive response also included a lawsuit against The New York Times, for $250 million, following a piece in which it was reported that his PR team retaliated against Lively. To counter Lively's accusations, Baldoni's team released video footage from their movie set, aiming to depict professional interactions and negate the harassment claims.

Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team has upped the ante by subpoenaing phone records of Baldoni and his associates. They are looking to prove an alleged retaliatory smear campaign against her. With such high stakes and massive legal claims, the case has drawn significant media attention, leading to its trial set for March 2026.

Public Attention and Media Frenzy

The lawsuit drama has been a media sensation, especially as both Lively and Baldoni are high-profile figures in the entertainment world. Any public mention, especially in a forum as widely viewed as SNL50, naturally grabs attention. Reynolds' comment, though meant as a joke, underlined the level of attention and stress this case has brought upon their lives, with Reynolds even hinting about the pressure in earlier social media posts.

As the legal battle evolves, it's clear the entertainment industry and the public are watching closely. For now, Reynolds managed to bring a moment of levity to the situation, but the road to court continues for Lively and Baldoni. With the trial date still off on the horizon, this story isn't fading from the spotlight anytime soon.