Martin Short, who was inducted into the ‘Saturday Night Live’ five-timers clubs, explains why Steve Martin was not present at the ceremony.

Martin Short was officially inducted into Saturday Night Live‘s exclusive Five-Timers Club on December 21, 2024, during the Christmas episode. This milestone came after the 74-year-old actor hosted the show for the fifth time. The Five-Timers Club is reserved for those who have hosted the show five or more times, and Short was welcomed into the group with a special cold open and an official jacket presentation from Jimmy Fallon, who, notably, is not a member of the club himself.

The cold open featured several other Five-Timers Club members, including Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin (who holds the record with 17 hosting appearances), Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, and John Mulaney. Each of them celebrated Martin’s achievement in a memorable segment.

During his opening monologue, Martin jokingly explained the absence of his close friend and frequent SNL collaborator Steve Martin, another Five-Timer. He said, “My dear friend Steve Martin is also part of the club. He would have been here tonight, but he had a conflict with me not wanting him to be here.” This humorous remark left the audience laughing, highlighting the playful dynamic between the two friends.

As part of his monologue, Martin performed a musical number and even kissed Jimmy Fallon, adding a lighthearted touch to the night’s festivities. This special moment was a huge celebration of Martin’s contributions to SNL over the years.

Martin was joined by musical guest Hozier for the night, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how the rest of the show unfolds. The Five-Timers Club is a prestigious group in SNL history, and Martin Short’s induction further solidifies his place as a comedy legend.