Alexander Skarsgård puts ‘SNL’ (and the show’s shorter cast members) on his shoulders

The freshman cast loves the reach that the ‘Murderbot’ star brings to the show. But they aren’t interested in Ben Marshall’s equally tall help.

Bill Kuchman Jan 28, 2026

Alexander Skarsgård puts ‘SNL’ (and the show’s shorter cast members) on his shoulders — **Kam Patterson**, **Veronika Slowikowsa**, **Jeremy Culhane**, **Alexander Skarsgård** and **Ben Marshall**. / NBC

Deep SNL Thoughts is now The Cold Open. New name. Same extensive SNL coverage.

The host: Alexander Skarsgård

The musical guest: Cardi B

Cast members in the promo: Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowsa

Is Alexander Skarsgård the tallest person to ever host SNL? At an alleged 6-foot-4, the Murderbot star is certainly in the, um, upper echelon of vertically gifted folks to host the show, joining folks like Charles Barkley (6-foot-6) and Jacob Elordi (6-foot-5).

SNL decided that Skarsgård’s height is a big target for laughs when it came to the promo for his episode, especially when he can be paired up with the almost universally short freshman cast members, Veronika Slowikowsa, Jeremy Culhane and Kam Patterson. But not Ben Marshall. Get lost, beanstalk.

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Deep SNL Thoughts is written and produced by Bill Kuchman.
Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.

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Deep SNL Thoughts is a publication of The Omnicosm.
Issue No. 39

Published in: The Cold Open • Host Promo, The Cold Open, SNL, Alexander Skarsgård, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, Jeremy Culhane

Author

The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.

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