Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling Welcome Kristen Wiig to SNL Five-Timers Club

A star-studded group of veteran “Saturday Evening Stay” visitor hosts have been readily available this night to welcome Kristen Wiig into the “5-Timers Membership.” However a lot to Wiig’s chagrin, most of them haven’t matched her feat of really internet hosting “SNL” 5 occasions.

The previous “Saturday Evening Stay” solid member made her fifth look as host — having beforehand hit the stage in 2013, 2016 and twice in 2020.

The stolen “SNL” valor truly started with a legit five-timer: Paul Rudd, readily available to welcome her from the viewers. (Additionally welcoming Wiig: Her former colleague Paula Pell, a one-time “SNL” author).

“As a former solid member, it is rather particular,” Wiig stated. “I’m actually enthusiastic about getting my jacket tonight… they don’t simply hand the jackets off to anybody.”

Nicely, not fairly. Quickly extra stars got here out: Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Martin Brief, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Martin Brief and Ryan Gosling. None of whom haven truly hosted 5 occasions but.

Damon, who has solely hosted twice, famous, “Lorne [Michaels] stated the primary time I hosted was so good, it accounted for 3 — after which second time not fairly nearly as good that solely counted for 2,” Damon stated. “However by my math, that’s 5. Possibly.”

Stated Hamm, who has hosted 3 times — “the final time was in 2010 however I’m positive the fourth one is developing, proper Lorne?”

Responded Wiig: “What’s going on right here? I imply, I used to be actually enthusiastic about being within the 5-Timers Membership however now it simply looks as if I don’t know. It’s not even that particular.”

Then got here Gosling — who additionally hasn’t hosted 5 occasions, however truly was displaying up every week early (he’s set to function subsequent week’s host). When Wiig protested at Gosling’s untimely 5-Timers jacket, Michaels nodded at Gosling to not fear about it.

The visitors weren’t simply there for cameos within the open; Hamm appeared in a sketch parodying Sixties workplace tradition — not enjoying Don Draper, however undoubtedly revisiting the previous “Mad Males” vibe. In a retirement occasion sketch, Rudd confirmed up as a part of the tacky “Gits & Shiggles” group whereas Armisen performed a creepy co-worker, Damon apeared as himself (figuring out himself the star of “The Legend of Bagger Vance”) and Forte was seen in character because the creepy “step-nephew of the occasions coordinator.”

On the finish of the night time, throughout farewells, all the “SNL” solid and visitors wore 5-Timer Membership jackets, persevering with the joke that what was as soon as a uncommon honor has turn into a standard sight (which is smart, given “SNL’s” upcoming fiftieth anniversary).

“Saturday Evening Stay” opened this week’s episode with a little bit of March Insanity fever — specifically, the ladies’s match. This week’s chilly open began out with a parody of TBS’ NCAA basketball crew of Ernie Johnson (James Austin Johnson), Kenny Smith (Devon Walker) and Charles Barkley (Kenan Thompson). Additionally showing within the sketch: Heidi Gardner, as LSU coach Kim Mulkey.

“I’m simply gonna admit. I’m not an knowledgeable on faculty basketball,” Thompson-as-Barkley admitted. “I’m rather more snug on my different present, you recognize, the one on CNN with Gayle King. The place I discuss immigration and the warfare on the Ukrainian.” The group all then agreed that this yr’s girls’s match was extra thrilling than the lads’s brackets.

Wiig, who was a “Saturday Evening Stay” solid member from 2005 to 2012, presently stars in and government produces the brand new Apple TV+ sequence “Palm Royale,” which premiered on March 20. She’s additionally again voicing Lucy in “Despicable Me 4” and may be seen in Goal commercials enjoying her “SNL” character Goal Girl.

The musical visitor on Saturday night time is Raye, a British singer-songwriter who in 2024 set a file by successful six Brit Awards in a single yr. This marks her “SNL” debut. 

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

Wiig joins the roster of Season 49 hosts that embrace Pete Davidson (Oct. 14), Dangerous 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).

Apart from Raye, music visitors this season embrace Ice Spice (Oct. 14), Dangerous 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).

Subsequent up, Ryan Gosling is ready to host the April 13 episode of “Saturday Evening Stay,” with musical visitor Chris Stapleton.