It’s a time of celebration. Not just because the holidays are fast approaching, but also because Martin Short is finally a member of the illustrious “Saturday Night Live” Five-Timers Club, a close-knit group of celebrities who’ve had the privilege of hosting the show more than five times. On hand to honor Short in the episode’s cold open and present him with the traditional smoking jacket were a whole slew of celebrities including Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Scarlett Johansson, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, John Mulaney, and Jimmy Fallon, all of whom are already members of the club.
Next taking the main stage at Studio 8H, Short’s monologue highlighted all of the actor/comedian’s many skills. Flinging jokes that ranged from self-deprecating to politically topical, Short reminded the audience and everyone at home why he still has some of the best timing and delivery in the business, but as if that were not enough, he also took some time to show off his theatrical talents. Breaking out into a song that emphasizes the importance of having drugs on hand during the holiday season, Short paraded through the halls of 30 Rock, crossing paths with “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels and Jimmy Fallon, the latter of whom he couldn’t help but embrace for a big kiss. For those paying close attention during this moment, you may catch a glimpse of Grace Gummer, the daughter of Short’s rumored girlfriend Meryl Streep, standing off to the side with her husband Mark Ronson. Streep herself, unfortunately, didn’t seem to be on hand.
What’s more relatable than parking lot difficulties during the holidays? Cast members Mikey Day and Chloe Fineman join Short for the first skit of the night, all three caught in a face-off over a parking spot in which they’re forced to mime their insults and threats to one another from the comfort of their vehicles. Not only does the sketch highlight the physical skills of each player, but also taps into the loss of social decorum that this time of year tends to bring out in people. Appearing for a last minute button, McCarthy showed up towards the end of the bit to close the standoff as only she knows how.
Another brilliantly conceived conceit offered multiple cast members the chance to show off their chops, as well as the opportunity for some of the celebrities who appeared in the cold open to have some more air time. Set in a terminal at Newark Airport during the holiday rush, the sketch plays as a Christmas pageant of all the most cliched airport behavior, from taking your weed edible too early and in too high a dose to the couple disagreeing over joining the mile high club. Though Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim’s TSA security guards played hosts of the pageant, Short also appeared as the uptight Delta Lounge employee, preventing figures such as Rudd from entering.
“SNL 50” also brought back a fan favorite during Weekend Update. As they’ve done for the last few years, Colin Jost and Michael Che swapped jokes live on-air, each offering the other off-color bits neither had seen up until the moment of delivery. To make matters more uncomfortable, Johannsson, Jost’s wife who was on hand for the opening early in the evening, was seen watching the swap backstage, with many of the jokes geared towards the couple’s marriage. While many are ready for Jost and Che to step back from the desk and let new blood take the reins, they continue to prove why they’re some of the best to have ever done it.
