Not only did Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy (Happiest Season) make an impression on the night of his Saturday Night Live hosting debut in February, he sparked seemingly new behind-the-scenes tradition that garnered him even further praise. By leaving a note for the following Saturday’s freshman host, Regina King (Watchmen, If Beale Street Could Talk), Levy inadvertently started an ongoing chain of encouraging Post-Its being passed down between hosts of the NBC sketch comedy institution. However, the actor recently clarified, in an interview with Today, that his note to King was inspired by four-time SNL host Woody Harrelson’s (True Detective, Zombieland) gesture in 2019.
“I feel the need to clarify this… I didn’t start (the tradition),” Levy told Today, stating that he was influenced by the note that Harrelson left for host Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) in 2019 “I kind of continued it.” Levy also shared that he asked permission to leave the note for King “the process is such strange experience […] a little note from the person that had just done it felt like such a sweet vote of confidence” (Today).
Unlike Harrelson’s note, Levy’s Post-It set off a chain reaction behind-the-scenes at Saturday Night Live as King left a similar note for Rege Jean-Page (Bridgerton, Roots) and he left one for host/musical guest Nick Jonas. As Jonas hosted before the NBC comedy’s month-long hiatus, fans had to wait to see if the reinvigorated tradition continued with returning host and SNL alum Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids, Big Mouth).
According to PopSugar, Rudolph shared that Jonas had indeed continued the tradition with photo of the Post-It on her Instagram story, which read: “Maya! Welcome home. You are an absolute legend. Break a leg and take a shot!” PopSugar reported that Rudolph mentioned Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah) was “on deck” in her Instagram post, meaning fans can expect to glimpse a note from Rudolph to the first-time host this coming Saturday.
While Levy may not have started the tradition, his gesture set off a lasting chain reaction that could very well continue behind-the-scenes on Saturday Night Live well into the future. Though Rudolph was announced as host prior to SNL’s March hiatus, that is not always the case, particularly when the show takes it’s longer summer and holiday breaks. Time will tell whether longer hiatuses with no announced host will lead to a generic note of encouragement, the tradition being picked up by the first host after the hiatus or the trend dying out altogether.
Based on Rudolph’s post, Kaluuya can expect a Post-It from this past week’s host when he takes the reigns on April 3 with musical guest St. Vincent.