'SNL' host Elon Musk takes a Saturday off from Tesla's troubles

By Joseph White

DETROIT, May 7 (Reuters) - Elon Musk's turn as host of this week's "Saturday Night Live" television program will be a light-hearted, brand-building break from the pressures of running Tesla Inc and SpaceX - or land the billionaire in another bucket of hot water.

That uncertainty appears to be the point for both Musk and NBCUniversal's 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)