Elton John on ‘Saturday Night Live’: Going for the EGOT

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Elton John‘s appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live’ tonight could be historic. If it results in an Emmy victory like past ‘SNL’ guest turns by Justin Timberlake, Tina Fey and Betty White, he could become the 11th person to win the EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

In his lengthy career, Elton John has received just about every honor and award imaginable for a music performer. He won an Academy Award (for ‘The Lion King’), a Tony Award (for ‘Aida’), six Grammy Awards (plus the honorary Grammy Legend), Kennedy Center Honors, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a knighthood from the Queen of England.

What he is missing, however, is an Emmy. If he wins this year, he’ll join these 10 EGOT giants: Mel Brooks, John Gielgud, Whoopi Goldberg, Marvin Hamlisch, Helen Hayes, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Moreno, Mike Nichols, Richard Rogers and Jonathan Tunick. See our photo gallery of other stars close to getting the EGOT.

John is the guest host on ‘Saturday Night Live’ for the first time in the show’s 36 seasons. He did perform two songs as the musical guest on a 1982 episode hosted by Johnny Cash. As host, he will star in several comedy sketches, do a monologue and perform two or three songs (at least one with special guest Leon Russell).

Before trying to woo the Emmy voters, John will have to first impress Lorne Michaels and the other ‘SNL’ producers. Just two seasons ago, ‘SNL’ first started submitting hosts in the guest acting categories, but the show’s producers have been strategically stingy in allowing a very small number to have their names on the ballots. In 2009, only Tina Fey and Justin Timberlake were submitted. In 2010, the only names put forward were Fey, Jon Hamm, Taylor Swift and Betty White.

During the 2010-2011 season, there have already been impressive hosting turns by Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey, Zach Galifianakis, Anne Hathaway and Amy Poehler. John will have an uphill battle to receive his first ever Emmy nomination not to mention an actual win itself this year, but it is his next best hope in completing the EGOT.

-- Tom O’Neil

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Photo: Elton John performs at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: Jeff Fusco / Getty Images