SNL’s star-studded cold open called ‘best in show history’

On By Littum

The cold opens to the latest episode of Saturday Night Live being called “legendary” by fans as it featured an almost endless stream of famous faces.

Martin Short hosted the special Christmas edition of the show, marking the fifth time Only murder in the building star has hosted SNL.

The 74-year-old actor now joins a prestigious list of celebrities who have hosted the show five times, many of whom appeared at the star-studded cold open.

The show began with Oscar winner Tom Hanks, wearing a cape with the number five on it, joking that he created the exclusive SNL 5 Timers Club in 1990 as “a brilliant lazy way to avoid writing a monologue. It’s grown to one of the most exclusive clubs in our industry.”

Hanks is then joined by Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd and then Martin Short.

Short is then introduced to the other members of the club, which include Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin (who wore a number 17 on his jacket), Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone and John Mulaney.

(From L-R) Tina Fey, Scarlett Johansson, Martin Short, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live

(From L-R) Tina Fey, Scarlett Johansson, Martin Short, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live (SNL/NBC)

Although he wasn’t in attendance, Short found time to roast his friend and co-star Steve Martin when Hanks told him they were serving a cocktail called “The Marty-tini.”

“You know, it’s often paired with our Steve Martini, but tonight we’re serving it solo,” Hanks said. “And I bet that’s even better on its own,” Short replied.

Jimmy Fallon, who has not hosted SNL five times, also makes a cameo at the end as a coat boy, telling Short, “I just want to say that I’m so happy to be here at this moment, so I’d like presenting to you the official Five Timer’s Club jacket in your size – a women’s small.”

A chaotic scene then ensues as Short struggles to get into the jacket. In the end, he decides to wrap it around himself instead, saying, “From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say, I love most of you so much. And live from New York, it’s Saturday night.”

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SNL fans have been quick to heap praise on the skit.

On YouTube, one viewer said, “This might be one of the best cold openings in SNL history!”

Another fan added: “Man the people who walk the room just keep getting better and better! What a moment! The fact that they are some of THE best and iconic hosts to grace SNL! I love it so much very!”

A third person wrote: “This has to be one of the most legendary cold openings of all time. It’s so cool to see former hosts and cast members spanning 50 years doing skits together.”

The cold open also featured cameos from current cast members Bowen Yang and Colin Jost, the latter of whom would later be put in a very awkward position in front of his wife, Scarlett Johansson.

During “Weekend Update,” co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che did their annual “joke exchange” on their segment.

The tradition often involves both men finding new ways to embarrass the other as they force themselves to read jokes written by their comedy partner that they have never read before.

Almost all of Jost’s jokes, however, were about his wife listening backstage, with cameras capturing her stunned live reaction.