SNL’s Star-Studded Cold Open: Fans Declare It One of the Best in the Show’s History

The latest Saturday Night Live (SNL) episode has fans raving about its unforgettable cold open, which many are calling “legendary.” Featuring a parade of celebrity cameos, the sketch has been described as one of the greatest in the show’s nearly five-decade history.

Martin Short Returns as Host for SNL’s Christmas Special

Comedic legend Martin Short took the stage to host SNL’s Christmas episode, marking the fifth time the Only Murders in the Building star has hosted the iconic show. By doing so, the 74-year-old actor officially joined the exclusive “Five-Timers Club,” a prestigious group of celebrities who have hosted SNL five times.

Short’s induction into the club served as the centerpiece of the cold open, which featured appearances by some of the biggest names in Hollywood and SNL history. Fans were thrilled by the star-studded nature of the segment, with celebrity cameos rolling in one after another.

A Cold Open Packed with A-List Cameos

The sketch kicked off with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks, donning a robe emblazoned with the number five. Hanks joked about founding the “Five-Timers Club” back in 1990 as a clever way to skip writing a monologue:

“It has grown into one of the most exclusive clubs in our industry,” he said.

Hanks was quickly joined by Ant-Man star Paul Rudd and then Martin Short himself. Together, they introduced other Five-Timer Club members, including Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin (wearing a jacket with the number 17 to signify his extensive SNL hosting history), Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, and John Mulaney.

Although Steve Martin didn’t appear in the sketch, his absence wasn’t forgotten. In a playful moment, Hanks mentioned a cocktail called “The Marty-tini,” to which Short quipped:

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

The cold open also featured a humorous cameo from SNL alum Jimmy Fallon, who hasn’t hosted the show five times. Fallon appeared as the “jacket boy,” presenting Short with a jacket hilariously labeled a women’s small. After struggling to put it on, Short wrapped the jacket around himself and declared:

“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!”

Fans Call It One of the Best Cold Opens in SNL History

The sketch quickly went viral, earning widespread praise from fans online. Viewers took to YouTube and social media to share their excitement:

• “This may be one of the best cold opens in SNL history!” one fan commented.
• Another added: “Man, the people walking in the room just kept getting better and better! What a moment! The fact that they are some of THE best and most iconic hosts to grace SNL! I love it so much!”
• A third wrote: “This has to be one of the most legendary cold opens ever. It’s so cool seeing previous hosts and cast members from over 50 years come together.”

Behind the Cold Open: More Cameos, More Laughs

The sketch also featured appearances by current SNL cast members Bowen Yang and Colin Jost. Jost, in particular, found himself in an awkward yet hilarious position later in the show during the “Weekend Update” segment.

As part of SNL’s annual “joke exchange,” co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che swapped jokes they hadn’t seen before. This year, many of Jost’s jokes poked fun at his wife, Scarlett Johansson, who was watching backstage. Cameras caught her priceless reactions, adding another layer of comedy to the night.

Why This Cold Open Was So Special

The magic of this cold open lies in its ability to unite some of the most iconic SNL hosts and cast members from the past five decades. It celebrates the show’s rich history while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and surprises for fans.

By incorporating both old legends and current castmates, SNL created a nostalgic yet fresh experience that resonated with viewers, leaving many declaring it one of the best moments in the show’s history.