After SNL’s Five-Timers Club Sketch Returned This Weekend, A Former Writer Explained What Inspired It And How It Involved Tom Hanks

by

As a lifelong Saturday Night Live enthusiast who’s spent countless nights huddled around the TV with a bag of popcorn and my trusty sketchbook, I can confidently say that the latest episode was a true delight for the die-hard fans like myself. The Five-Timers Club induction of Martin Short, featuring an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, John Mulaney, Melissa McCarthy, Alec Baldwin, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Paul Rudd, and Tina Fey, was nothing short of a dream come true.

2024 saw Martin Short joining the prestigious Five-Timers Club on Saturday Night Live’s final episode of that year. A well-attended sketch featured a multitude of cameos by high-profile guests, each having hosted the renowned variety series at least five times, thus earning them membership in this exclusive club. If you’ve ever pondered the origin of this beloved concept, Robert Smigel – a former SNL writer – has shared insights about what sparked these popular sketches and Tom Hanks’ role in their creation.

Smigel, who served as a writer and producer on Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 2013 and created various characters, took to his Instagram when former SNL cast member Kristen Wiig became a Five-Timers member. He shared a video of Hanks’ monologue for his fifth time hosting in December 1990. In it, Hanks discussed the excitement surrounding hosting SNL, including how special it was to get to host five times. He then joked those who hit the milestone get a card to be in this club. Evidently, Hanks and Conan O’Brien were involved:

Wow, the Five Timer’s Club concept really took off! Recently, I caught Kristen Wiig giving a standout performance on Saturday Night Live, and there it was again. I had to revisit the initial sketch, which I collaborated on with assistance from Conan O’Brien and others, including Lorne Michaels himself. The inspiration came from Tom Hanks’ humorous yet heartfelt impression of Lorne’s analysis of hosting SNL for the first time, second time, third time, and so on. It’s amusing to see that original idea intact without the Lorne impression now. Additionally, it was a satire of an aspect about SNL that Conan and I always found intriguing – the tension between being hip and being funny.

The Five-Timers Club on Saturday Night Live has become a cherished sketch, and when a celebrity becomes a member, it’s always surprising. Although Hanks is often associated with initiating the sketch, he wasn’t the first to reach that milestone. Chevy Chase was the initial host to appear five times on the late-night series, but Hanks was the one who brought it up during the December 8, 1990 episode. Since then, more than a dozen celebrities have been inducted into the Club, serving both as Saturday Night Live hosts and musical guests. Notably, Jack White is also part of this exclusive group.

A post shared by Triumph The Insult Comic Dog (@triumphicdhq)

A photo posted by on

Every time a newcomer signs up, it’s hard to predict who else might show up for their welcome ceremony. The induction of Martin Short saw the presence of notable figures such as Tom Hanks, John Mulaney, Melissa McCarthy, Alec Baldwin, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Paul Rudd, and Tina Fey, with some even making appearances in various skits during the show. The question of who’ll be next to join the Five-Timers Club remains a mystery, but we can certainly expect more exciting guest appearances!

Among the most exceptional Saturday Night Live (SNL) hosts belong to an exclusive group, and as SNL continues its run, this prestigious list is set to expand even further. Fortunately, with the show now in its 50th season, there’s no indication that it will be ending anytime soon. Although it may prove difficult for many to surpass Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin’s impressive 17-time hosting stint, it remains exciting to speculate who will take the stage next and which beloved figures will reappear on Studio 8H.

Individuals who subscribe to Peacock have access to all of the Five-Timers sketches since they’re streaming all 50 seasons, including the latest episode. For now, Saturday Night Live is taking a break over the holidays, but it will return in the 2025 TV schedule. It’s quite likely that the next Five-Timers inductee could be announced soon.

Read More

2024-12-24 22:37