Martin Short joins the Five-Timers Club in a star-packed SNL holiday episode

Throughout his long career, and particularly during his recent success on Only Murders in the Building, Martin Short has refined his signature comedic style to perfection. Known for delivering sharp and petty remarks in a way that is both hilarious and oddly charming, Short has mastered a niche few, aside from Don Rickles, have managed to sustain for such a long time.  

His comedic style was a natural fit for Saturday Night Live, where he returned to guest-host for the fifth time (complete with the traditional Five-Timers’ Club cold open). At 74, Short’s energetic delivery, impeccable timing, and ability to dance and sing seamlessly made his monologue and sketches near flawless, even if his presence was slightly limited throughout the episode.  

Part of the reason for his lighter presence was the inclusion of numerous celebrity cameos. While his Only Murders in the Building co-stars Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, as well as rumored romantic interest Meryl Streep, were absent despite being mentioned, the episode featured appearances by Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Emma Stone, and Scarlett Johansson. Johansson even reacted live to jokes about her during a particularly cutting “Weekend Update” joke swap between Michael Che and her husband, Colin Jost.  

Short shined in sketches like an aggressive Delta lounge employee dealing with a Christmas parade at an airport gate, a frustrated mall parking lot driver, and a demanding director for the “Charlie Brown Christmas” pageant. However, he was not involved in the episode’s pre-taped segments, including “An Act of Kindness,” which featured Kenan Thompson as a homeless man and Heidi Gardner as a gullible woman, or the sequel to the Nate Bargatze “Sábado Gigante” sketch, hosted by Marcello Hernández as Don Francisco, with cameos by Paul Rudd and Dana Carvey.  

While the packed episode didn’t leave much room for Short to revisit classic characters or explore new ones, it hardly mattered. The show delivered strong sketches, and every time Short appeared, he nailed his performance.  

Musical guest Hozier performed “Too Sweet” and a cover of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.”