‘SNL’ recap: Best moments from Martin Short hosting the ‘Saturday Night Live’ Christmas episode

Martin Short joined the 5-timers club while serving as host of the 2024 "SNL" Christmas episode.

SNL recap: Musical guest Hozier, host Martin Short, and Kenan Thompson before the Dec. 21 episode of "Saturday Night Live." Rosalind O'Connor/NBC

By Kevin Slane

December 22, 2024

2 minutes to read

“SNL” returned to the air for the tenth episode of its 50th season on Dec. 21, with veteran comedian (and former “SNL” cast member) Martin Short hosting the annual “Saturday Night Live” Christmas episode.

Given how many times Short has popped up on “SNL” in cameo roles, it was surprising that this was only his fifth time hosting the long-running variety show. As a result, the “SNL” cold open was one of its traditional “five-timers club” sketches, filled with other celebrities that have reached the hallowed mark.

Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson (along with husband Colin Jost), Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, and John Mulaney all showed up over the course of the nine-minute sketch, which felt like one long applause break.

“Isn’t it embarrassing when shows throw in big cameos for cheap ratings boosts?” Short asked, a sly nod to the considerable overlap between five-timers club members and cameo roles on Short’s Hulu show “Only Murders in the Building.”

In previous five-timer club sketches, such as Justin Timberlake’s coronation in 2013, Short played the self-deprecating role of a cocktail waiter who hadn’t actually hosted enough times to be a member. This time around, that role went to coat-check boy Jimmy Fallon, who presented Short with his coveted five-year jacket — custom fit to Short’s exact size, “a women’s small.”

Check out the videos below to see highlights from the latest episode of “SNL,” including even more cameos in several sketches, Hozier performing a pair of songs, and all of the guests visiting Colin Jost and Michael Che at the “Weekend Update” desk.

“Saturday Night Live” Cold Open

Martin Short monologue

“SNL Weekend Update” Clips

Hozier Musical Performances

Some of the Best SNL Sketches

Kevin Slane

Staff Writer

Kevin Slane is a staff writer for Boston.com covering entertainment and culture. His work focuses on movie reviews, streaming guides, celebrities, and things to do in Boston.