Drew Barrymore: From Child Star to 'Saturday Night Live' Host Extraordinaire
Hosting "Saturday Night Live" is a challenging task as each episode is created in a week, requiring the host to be involved in the writing, rehearsing, and performing of sketches live on air. Despite the demanding nature of the show, there have been some surprisingly young hosts who have taken on the role. Jodie Foster, Fred Savage, and Macaulay Culkin hosted at young ages, but the youngest host in the show's history is Drew Barrymore, who hosted at just seven years old in 1982 after her success in "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial."
Drew Barrymore's hosting stint featured sketches like one where she interacted with The Whiners, played by Joe Piscopo and Robin Duke, known for their whiny voices. Despite the episode not being considered one of the show's best, Barrymore's charm and talent shone through. She went on to host the show five more times as an adult, showcasing her comedic skills and versatility in various sketches.
Barrymore's adult hosting gigs on "SNL" produced memorable moments, including her participation in sketches like The Love-ahs with Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch. Her return to the show as a successful actress and comedian solidified her status as one of the best recurring hosts in "SNL" history, making up for the mixed reception of her initial hosting experience as a child.