Saturday Night Live welcomes back Martin Short tonight for another brand-new season 50 episode. The legendary comedian hosts for the fifth time, which could mean some big-name cameos are in the house to help celebrate.
Short recently wrapped up season 4 of his hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building. Now, he's putting a bow on his 2024 by hosting the final Saturday Night Live episode of the year and the famous Christmas episode.
It also means that the stars have aligned for a cameo-filled episode. Season 50, the Christmas episode, a former cast member hosting, and Short joining the Five Timers Club are each reason enough to invite some celebrity friends. Here are five that may show up tonight.
5. Steve Martin
Let's get the obvious one out of the way first. Steve Martin and Martin Short have become synonymous with each other, collaborating on some of the best comedy ever created. It wasn't that long ago that the pair hosted Saturday Night Live together (2022).
So it's almost expected that Martin will be in Studio 8H to help Short host for the fifth time. Not only do they have Only Murders and a comedy tour together, but Martin has become something of an unofficial ambassador to the Five Timers Club. There would be no better person to induct Short into the prestigious group.
4. Selena Gomez
The Only Murders in the Building stars come as a complete set, don't they? If Martin Short and Steve Martin are in the building, fans will also want to see Selena Gomez. The actress and singer made a point to join the guys' monologue back in 2022.
However, Gomez does have a lot going on right now. She recently announced her engagement to Benny Blanco (thanks, Stephen Colbert). So maybe she's not exactly ready to fly to New York City and get in front of millions of viewers.
3. Meryl Streep
OK, one more Only Murders in the Building prediction. It seems like the one least likely to happen, but it would bring the roof down in Studio 8H.
Streep has been in the Only Murders cast for the past two seasons, playing Short's love interest. And if reports are to be belieived, life now imitates art and the pair are dating in real life.
The Oscar winner has never hosted Saturday Night Live. We've heard impressions from Abby Elliott and Chloe Fineman and that's it. The 50th season and Martin Short's fifth time hosting seems like a perfect time for Streep's SNL debut (and make her relationship official).
2. Conan O'Brien
You don't spend decades in entertainment without making some friends along the way. Among the comedy icons Martin Short calls a friend is late-night TV legend Conan O'Brien.
O'Brien and Short have traded plenty of stories over the years about having dinner together or spending time at each other's house. O'Brien is another Saturday Night Live alum, adding another reason it make sense for him to lend a hand to Short. The host-turned-podcaster previously returned to induct John Mulaney into the Five Timers Club.
A Conan O'Brien cameo could be a longshot, though. His parents recently passed away within days of each other. But if the Boston native is looking for a warm reception and a spirit booster, he couldn't do much better than a trip to New York.
1. Chevy Chase
An original cast member. A Martin Short co-star. Years since his last Saturday Night Live appearance. There's enough there to think Chevy Chase would make a headline-grabbing cameo.
Chase was one of the original "Not Ready for Primetime" players back in 1975. If SNL wants to give a nod to its history tonight, an appearance by Chase would be a good way to do it.
Chase, Short, and Steve Martin starred as the titular Three Amigos! in 1986. Lorne Michaels is a co-writer and producer on the comedy classic, too. Why not get the band together one more time? That is, assuming Chase is ready to come back to Studio 8H and play nice.
Saturday Night Live with host Martin Short airs tonight, December 21, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.