TV Martha Stewart reveals her parole officer stopped her from hosting Saturday Night Live: 'That bastard' The author, who was released from prison in 2005, said her parole officer nixed the opportunity because she was only allowed outside eight hours a day. By Emlyn Travis Emlyn Travis Emlyn Travis is a news writer at Entertainment Weekly with over five years of experience covering the latest in entertainment. A proud Kingston University alum, Emlyn has written about music, fandom, film, television, and awards for multiple outlets including MTV News, Teen Vogue, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Paper Magazine, Dazed, and NME. She joined EW in August 2022. EW's editorial guidelines Published on January 28, 2025 11:57AM EST Comments Martha Stewart . Photo: Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty Martha Stewart still has a bone to pick with the parole officer who prevented her from hosting Saturday Night Live. The businesswoman and author, 83, revealed on Monday’s episode of The Tonight Show that she was offered the chance to host the late-night sketch comedy series shortly after serving her five-month prison sentence in Alderson Federal Prison, but that the opportunity was quashed by her parole officer. “I wanted to, and they asked me as I was coming out of Alderson — that camp that I was in for a while,” Stewart joked, prompting host Jimmy Fallon to put his head in his hands to hide his laughter. “And my parole officer wouldn't give me the time to do it.” Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Martha Stewart on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on Jan. 27. Todd Owyoung/NBC Watch Martha Stewart get surprised by SNL impersonator Ana Gasteyer on The Drew Barrymore Show: 'You look better than I look!' The Martha Stewart Living star explained that she was only allowed to be out of her house eight hours a day at the time. “And the parole officer said no?’” Fallon asked, to which Stewart quipped back, “No, that bastard. I still have his name and his number.” When Fallon asked if SNL boss Lorne Michaels really did call her about the opportunity, Stewart replied, “Yeah, yeah. I’m so p-----, but maybe someday.” Fallon was fully on board with the idea. “You’d be a fantastic host,” he said. “Oh I would,” Stewart agreed. “I’d be amazing… start a campaign!” Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and two years of supervised probation in 2004 after she was found guilty on obstruction of justice charges stemming from a December 2001 stock sale. She was released in March 2005. Earlier in the show, Fallon noted that Stewart is one of the “most impersonated people” in Saturday Night Live history, before pulling out a card that featured series alums Ana Gasteyer, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Rachel Dratch, David Spade, and more dressed up as the legendary homemaker. Ana Gasteyer recalls Topless Martha Stewart SNL sketch, praises Martha's 'weird hot mom factor' “You’ve been impersonated nine times on Saturday Night Live,” he commented. “Do you enjoy seeing a Martha Stewart impression?” Stewart was supportive of the sketches. “Yeah, I love it,” she remarked. “Imitation is the highest form of flattery. And you might as well be imitated.” She even had a personal favorite impersonator. “David’s my favorite,” she confessed. “He was wearing my poncho. The real poncho.” Watch Stewart discuss Saturday Night Live in the clip above. Close