Body language expert explains Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' 'awkward' SNL appearance after legal battle joke

A body language expert has given their take on Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' appearance on SNL's 50th anniversary special.

The couple who are currently in a legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni were taking part in an audience 'Q&A' on Sunday night (16 February). Lively is currently suing her co-star for sexual harassment, while Baldoni has countersued for damages and defamation.

As Reynolds and his wife, sort of, looked to enjoy their SNL appearance, body language analyst Judi James thought it was 'a great diffuser' considering what's been going on.

Watch below:

SNL alumni Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the show for the first hour, taking questions from the A-Listers in the audience.

As part of the segment, Fey asked the Deadpool star: "How's it going?"

Reynolds, who was mentioned several times in Baldoni's lawsuit, replied: “Great, why? What have you heard?”

After hinting at the legal drama, he asked: "You know the material that they made the Coneheads with? Are those edible?"

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attended SNL's 50th anniversary special (NBC)

Fey said: "No, and based on them being made in 1975, I’d assume that they’re highly toxic."

She then recommended that he should head to the hospital right away.

Commenting on the segment, James told the Daily Mail that Lively's 'expression changes quickly when Ryan makes his comment'.

"Her smile dies and her head snaps round and upward to look at him in either acted or genuine concern," she added.

"Appearing on a 'no holds barred' show like Saturday Night Live when you're in the middle of a legal and a PR battle can seem brave to the point of reckless but humour and even self-effacing mockery can be a great diffuser.

The body language expert noted that her expression changes (NBC)

"The ability to be able to laugh at yourself is seen as an attractive and rapport-building trait as well as one that helps to break the ice and tension with the public."

On their red carpet appearance, James added: "He stands in a difficult pose as she walks out to join him, seeming to have one hand behind his torso while the other appears to clutch at the hem of his jacket.

"Blake holds one arm out in an intentional gesture, letting him know in advance that she's about to hug him, but her hand is bent in a limp angle to hint at potential wariness. There is a quick hair preen gesture as she grins at Ryan's face.

"Once they are coupled up Blake adopts a more confident and even defiant pose with her left hand on her hip and the elbow splayed outward."

LADbible Group has contacted Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' representatives for comment.