Tom Holland says he’s been asked “a few times” to host Saturday Night Live, but dyslexia—and the fear of freezing while reading cue cards—has kept him away. During an appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, he also opened up about his struggles with alc
Tom Holland didn’t dodge the question—he just explained the reason it’s been a no.
On Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast. the 30-year-old Spider-Man: Brand New Day star said he’s been asked “a few times” to host NBC’s Saturday Night Live. but he’s “so petrified” about reading his lines from cue cards. For Holland. the fear isn’t the comedy or the chaos—it’s the moment the script comes up and they might “change.”.
“I’m heavily dyslexic, which is one of the reasons why—and I’d love to talk to you today about it, actually—is why I’ve never done SNL,” he said. “I’m just so petrified at the concept of, like, trying to read something and they change.”
Poehler wondered aloud whether “many dyslexics” must have hosted during the show’s 51-run season. Holland answered that the problem is situational: he can read “fine. ” but when he has to read out loud. it triggers something he described as a mental block. “It just becomes, a kind of… it’s like a mental block, and I can freeze.”.
He pointed to what happens before a performance as the worst part. “So, for me, my worst day at work is the read-through,” he continued. At those sessions, Holland said he tries to highlight and learn his lines ahead of time, aiming to “skim” rather than read.
Still, he emphasized that he understands the appeal. “I’ve been really lucky that they’ve asked me a few times to do it. ” he said. adding that he “love[s] the show” and the idea of “having fun and making a fool of yourself in such a fun. creative way.” The obstacle. he said. keeps coming back to cue cards.
Poehler responded with a joke that landed more comfort than pressure. “You have to remember, there have been people that have hosted who have been fully on drugs, so I think you can do it.”
Holland also opened up during the conversation about his struggles with alcohol.
Tom Holland Saturday Night Live SNL Amy Poehler Good Hang dyslexia cue cards read-through Spider-Man: Brand New Day alcohol struggles