Best known to American audiences as the star of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit franchise and as “hey, that one guy!” from Love Actually, British actor Martin Freeman definitely had something to prove on last night’s Saturday Night Live – mainly, of course, that he’s funny. Freeman’s background in comedy might not come across while he’s traipsing around Middle-earth, but there was no arguing with his comedic chops once he took the stage for a funny and exceedingly well-timed monologue. If Freeman had the first-time jitters, they weren’t apparent here, and the newbie host effectively introduced himself and his style with ease and amusement.
