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That uncertainty appears to be the point for
both Musk and NBCUniversal's <CMCSA.O> venerable comedy sketch
show.
Musk has been encouraging fans and detractors to anticipate
shenanigans, potentially involving the Dogecoin cryptocurrency.
Musk has touted Dogecoin on his Twitter account, and the
cryptocurrency's value has soared ahead of his appearance.
"I'm a wild card, no telling what I might do," Musk, wearing a
black bandana, joked in a brief promotional video for the show
alongside Saturday's musical guest, Miley Cyrus.
"Same here," Cyrus said. "Rules? No thanks."
Musk has been in New York this week preparing for the
appearance. A photo posted to the "Saturday Night Live" Twitter
account on Wednesday showed him hunched over papers, wearing a
"Nuke Mars" T-shirt. Musk has mused about using nuclear weapons
to reshape the Red Planet for human habitation.
Some "SNL" cast members have expressed displeasure at the show's
decision to give its platform to one of the world's richest
people. Musk's appearance has drawn comparisons to the show's
controversial decision in 2015 to invite Donald Trump to host as
he was preparing for his presidential run.
Although it is rare for a business executive to host "SNL,"
South Africa-born Musk, 49, is no stranger to pop culture or
comedy.
He has appeared on "The Simpsons," "Rick and Morty," and "South
Park," and dates a pop star, Canadian singer Grimes. Musk's
persona helped inspire Robert Downey Jr's portrayal of superhero
Iron Man in a series of Marvel films.
His humor also shows in the names of Tesla car models S, 3, X
and Y ("sexy"). He once built and sold flamethrowers to promote
his tunnel venture, the Boring Company. In 2018, Musk smoked
marijuana on a live web show, and later offered $420 a share - a
drug reference - to take Tesla private.
While Musk has been getting ready for the cameras, Tesla has
been in a rough patch.
Longtime major shareholder Baillie Gifford disclosed it had sold
41% of its Tesla shares. Police in California are investigating
a fatal accident in which a Tesla crashed into an overturned
truck. Documents prepared by California regulators said Tesla
executives do not believe Tesla can deliver the "Full Self
Driving" autonomous vehicle technology this year, contradicting
Musk's statements.
(Reporting By Joe White, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
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