Body language expert breaks down Blake Lively's reaction to Ryan Reynolds' 6-word Justin Baldoni 'joke' which went viral

A human behaviour expert has been closely analysing footage from this weekend's instalment of Saturday Night Live, and believes Blake Lively may not have been all that thrilled about a controversial joke her husband made on the show.

Appearing in the audience for the 50th anniversary edition, hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey opted to give the married couple a shout-out.

After Poehler exclaims: "Oh, hi, Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds, how is it going?'" as the Deadpool actor, 47, stands.

He then timidly replies: "Great... why? What have you heard?", before Gossip Girl alum Lively's head spins to him and her jaw drops.

Viewers of the TV clip - which subsequently went viral - took Reynolds' remark to be a jibe about his wife's ongoing legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.

Back in December, the mother-of-four filed a lawsuit alleging that her on-screen love interest Baldoni, 40, had exhibited overly-sexualised behaviour towards her while on the set of the Colleen Hoover novel adaptation.

Lively also alleged that he and his team of publicists later orchestrated a smear campaign against her.

Reynolds also received a mention in the proceedings, with the actress claiming Baldoni would often make references and inquisitions about their sex life in-between takes.

Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations made against him, and has since sued Lively himself for defamation and extortion.

Naturally, therefore, Reynolds' latest joke has been seen as somewhat controversial, being that the legal matter is still playing out.

Other viewers, meanwhile, focused more so on Lively's reaction, with many left wondering whether her shocked expression implied she was in the know about her husband's joke or not.

Lively's legal dispute against Baldoni is ongoing (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

As we say, however, a body language professional has since chimed in on the debate.

Speaking to The Mirror, Judi James described laughter as 'a great diffuser', but believes Lively might not have been totally thrilled with her husband's attempt at humour.

"We see comedy reactions as a sign of 'normality' and encouraging jokes about a public narrative that might be controversial or damaging is often used as a way of appearing self-effacing and allowing for some public tension breaking," she began.

Addressing Reynolds' mannerisms, James explained: "When Ryan stands here his initial pose is one of carefree innocence. His expression suggests a keenness to chat with his brows raised and his eyes rounded as he looks at the hosts.

"There is a polite, social, part-smile from his mouth as his hands are clasped in front of his torso."

She adds: "The gag comes in his mock mood change as he's asked 'How are you doing?' when his hands begin to wring and fall lower to a self-protective fig-leaf position. Saying 'What've you heard?' his expression becomes more wary."

Blake's reaction has divided viewers (NBC)

James then moved on to Lively, adding that she portrays a 'narrowed eye-smile and a complex mouth expression' when she and her husband are first given a shout-out.

"Her lips are puckered and her 'smile' comes with a downward tilt but a small upward curl of the corners, suggesting mixed emotional responses."

The expert continued: "Her smile widens to a laugh but then as Ryan says 'What've you heard?' her smile drops and her head snaps round to look up at him with a more serious expression, making her look equally wary."

LADBible Group has previously reached out to representatives of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively for comment.