Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Martin Short, Paul Rudd, Ryan Gosling Welcome Kristen Wiig to the SNL

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A star-studded group of veteran “Saturday Night Live” guest hosts were on hand this evening to welcome Kristen Wiig into the “Five-Timers Club.” But much to Wiig’s chagrin, most of them haven’t matched her feat of actually hosting “SNL” five times.

The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member made her fifth appearance as host — having previously hit the stage in 2013, 2016 and twice in 2020.

The stolen “SNL” valor actually began with a legit five-timer: Paul Rudd, on hand to welcome her from the audience. (Also welcoming Wiig: Her former colleague Paula Pell, a one-time “SNL” writer).

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“As a former cast member, it is very special,” Wiig said. “I’m really excited about getting my jacket tonight… they don’t just hand the jackets off to anyone.”

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Well, not quite. Soon more stars came out: Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Martin Short, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Martin Short and Ryan Gosling. None of whom haven actually hosted five times yet.

Damon, who has only hosted twice, noted, “Lorne [Michaels] said the first time I hosted was so good, it accounted for three — and then second time not quite as good that only counted for two,” Damon said. “But by my math, that’s five. Maybe.”

Said Hamm, who has hosted three times — “the last time was in 2010 but I’m sure the fourth one is coming up, right Lorne?”

Responded Wiig: “What is going on here? I mean, I was really excited about being in the Five-Timers Club but now it just seems like I don’t know. It’s not even that special.”

Then came Gosling — who also hasn’t hosted five times, but actually was showing up a week early (he’s set to serve as next week’s host). When Wiig protested at Gosling’s premature Five-Timers jacket, Michaels nodded at Gosling not to worry about it.

The guests weren’t just there for cameos in the open; Hamm appeared in a sketch parodying 1960s office culture — not playing Don Draper, but definitely revisiting the old “Mad Men” vibe. In a retirement party sketch, Rudd showed up as part of the cheesy “Gits & Shiggles” group while Armisen played a creepy co-worker, Damon apeared as himself (identifying himself the star of “The Legend of Bagger Vance”) and Forte was seen in character as the creepy “step-nephew of the events coordinator.”

At the end of the night, during farewells, the entire “SNL” cast and guests wore Five-Timer Club jackets, continuing the joke that what was once a rare honor has become a common sight (which makes sense, given “SNL’s” upcoming 50th anniversary).

“Saturday Night Live” opened this week’s episode with a bit of March Madness fever — in particular, the women’s tournament. This week’s cold open started out with a parody of TBS’ NCAA basketball team of Ernie Johnson (James Austin Johnson), Kenny Smith (Devon Walker) and Charles Barkley (Kenan Thompson). Also appearing in the sketch: Heidi Gardner, as LSU coach Kim Mulkey.

“I’m just gonna admit. I am not an expert on college basketball,” Thompson-as-Barkley admitted. “I am much more comfortable on my other show, you know, the one on CNN with Gayle King. Where I talk about immigration and the war on the Ukrainian.” The group all then agreed that this year’s women’s tournament was more exciting than the men’s brackets.

Wiig, who was a “Saturday Night Live” cast member from 2005 to 2012, currently stars in and executive produces the new Apple TV+ series “Palm Royale,” which premiered on March 20. She’s also back voicing Lucy in “Despicable Me 4” and can be seen in Target commercials playing her “SNL” character Target Lady.

The musical guest on Saturday night is Raye, a British singer-songwriter who in 2024 set a record by winning six Brit Awards in one year. This marks her “SNL” debut. 

Wiig is the third former “SNL” cast member to host this season, following Pete Davidson and Kate McKinnon. (Wiig also made an appearance earlier this season, on McKinnon’s episode in December).

Wiig joins the roster of Season 49 hosts that include Pete Davidson (Oct. 14), Bad Bunny (Oct. 21), Nate Bargatze (Oct. 28), Timothée Chalamet (Nov. 11), Jason Momoa (Nov. 18), Emma Stone (Dec. 2), Adam Driver (Dec. 9), Kate McKinnon (Dec. 16), Jacob Elordi (Jan. 20), Dakota Johnson (Jan. 27), Ayo Edibiri (Feb. 3), Shane Gillis (Feb. 24), Sydney Sweeney (March 2), Josh Brolin (March 9) and Ramy Youssef (March 30).

Besides Raye, music guests this season include Ice Spice (Oct. 14), Bad Bunny (Oct. 21), Foo Fighters (Oct. 28), Boygenius (Nov. 11), Tate McRae (Nov. 18), Noah Kahan (Dec. 2), Olivia Rodrigo (Dec. 9), Billie Eilish (Dec. 16), Reneé Rapp (Jan. 20), Justin Timberlake (Jan. 27), Jennifer Lopez (Feb. 3), 21 Savage (Feb. 24), Kacey Musgraves (March 2), Ariana Grande (March 9) and Travis Scott (March 30).

Next up, Ryan Gosling is set to host the April 13 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” with musical guest Chris Stapleton.

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