SNL recap: Woody Harrelson breaks record as he joins the Five Timers Club

Salvete! Saturday Night Live in Review is back with a vengeance — as is tonight's host, Woody Harrelson!

This is one of those magical moments in show lore, as Harrelson is hosting for a fifth time tonight. That makes him a member of the Five Timers Club — nearly 35 years in the making, as the former Cheers star (and three-time Oscar nominee) first hosted way back in 1989. That's a record.

I am joined tonight by former SNL cast member Siobhan Fallon Hogan, who recently announced that her latest film Shelter in Solitude will be screening at Village East by Angelika on March 3rd as part of this year's Craicfest. Fallon Hogan was a part of the cast during the season finale of Season 17, which was hosted by Harrelson. She remembers: "He was in our Delta Delta Delta sketch with David Spade and we couldn't get through the sketch without laughing. He was a fun host — great sense of humor and of course looking back on it, I think what a great honor it was to work with him, as he is a brilliant actor who I really admire." Former cast member Victoria Jackson will also be chiming in.

The question is: how will the show choose to recognize tonight's landmark appearance? Sometimes they'll shrug at doing a Five Timers sketch. Can they resist scratching that itch here?

Cold Open

C-Span catches former President Trump (James Austin Johnson) in East Palestine, Ohio. This week, seeing a political opportunity, Trump and other conservatives descended on the small town of fewer than 5,000 residents to comment on the recent train derailment that released toxins into the community. Trump handed out campaign hats, Trump-branded water, and insults at the Biden administration.

Trump comments on topics such as Rihanna at the Super Bowl, before he tackles Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, aka "Pete Butt." "I feel like I could Schitt's Creek this place," he comments, before speculating that folks in this part of the country prefer Yellowstone.

JAJ's Trump remains spot on — as is the make-up. The foreman of the Georgia grand jury Emily Kohrs (Chloe Fineman) is brought out: the audience seems confused about who she is. "She looks like Haley Joel Osment and she is my best friend," he quips. Jackson says the "Emily Kohrs impression was excellent! I googled her."

Monologue

Harrelson is a "redneck hippie" — he says he can see all the sides of the political spectrum. "I'm purple."

He expects a jacket for the Five Timers Club, but nothing happens. They resisted! Good for them. He tells a story about Nic Pizzolatto, his sobriety, and a script he read after his last hosting gig.

I like Harrelson calling out his manager Jeremy, who brought weed to New York from LA. The camera finds him in the crowd and — in a nice throwback move — they single him out with title text. This was a common occurrence bestowed upon audience members in the show's early years.

Jackson was on SNL during Harrelson's first two hosting gigs. She says: "Woody is so charming, it doesn't matter what he's saying or doing, you just love him! I have no memories of working with him, which means he was a good guy, I guess."

Here's one way to affirm Harrelson's status as a legend: he's been around so long, they're remaking movies he starred in decades ago. With another SNL host from this season, no less.

Jail Scene

Inmate 6117 (Harrelson) comes to see Carla Jean (Fineman), his wife. He reassures her he is leaving jail soon, and will buy her a perfect home. His guard (Ego Nwodim) provides commentary, naysaying his promises. He's "manifesting." On the other side of the glass, Kenan Thompson dispels some of Carla Jean's white lies. Seems their child has red hair — and looks like some guy who dropped her off. Lots of crosstalk! This is sweet and simple.

Please Don't destroy Video: The Stakeout

Our boys don't want to play Tony Hawk with John; they're too tired. Harrelson encourages a stakeout to find out if they're hanging out. Turns out Ben and Martin have a "secret beautiful life" together as gay family men. Uncle Kenan Thompson comes over, hijinks ensue.

Slingshot

Sammy (Harrelson) and Kevin (Kenan Thompson) go on a wild amusement park ride. Thompson is all talk until the ride happens. He passes out — Thompson making funny facial expressions is always a safe bet! "Why is nobody listening to me!" he cries.

Submarine Launch

Harrelson is on his Crimson Tide, giving a dramatic and empowering speech to his subordinates. He remains as sternly inspirational and committed as they discuss the submarine's new name: Mr. Dingleberry's Goochballon ASDFJKL;6969. Turns out they let the public vote for the name of the submarine in a bid to grow Instagram followers. (In a funny twist, their rate of growth didn't change, but their story views did.) They're going down with the ship. Cute, good use of the male cast members.

Cologuard commercial

It's time to screen for colon cancer; a CGI box happily goads Harrelson. "This is sick," he says. This is a savvy spoof, and has a funny payoff. I say watch this one. Unleash!

Jack White's first performance

Speaking of the Five Timers Club, White has appeared five times as musical guest, including once as the musical guest with The White Stripes back in 2002. Pretty funny – Woody calls out Jack's lack of jacket as well. I like the recurring bit!

The song served as White's lead single from his 2022 album Fear of the Dawn. It was first released in fall 2021. I like this a lot — great riff, sharp guitar work. Total jam.

Weekend Update

Colin Jost discusses Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine. Michael Che calls Marjorie Taylor Greene the most "divorced woman" he's ever seen.

Jost makes a joke about Jenny Slate's Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and the Oscars!

Bill Walton (James Austin Johnson) comes out to discuss the Lakers' NBA playoffs chances. He's a weird guy – sounds like he was hanging out backstage in Harrelson's dressing room. He knows the future, Che observes. Walton is waxing on the birth of the universe and John Mayer joining Dead & Company. JAJ is so good at this sort of thing – technically sharp impression, funny take. (JAJ's specific pop culture call outs are always great.)

Che performs a new bit discussing Harvey Weinstein and R Kelly: What Did They Even Do Wrong? Oof!

Gina Bianchi (Heidi Gardner) is a mother – she has four daughters and one son. She's talking about the joys of motherhood. Her son can do no wrong! Really funny. Definitely watch this one. Brilliant stuff. Pretty loose and funny Update tonight! And the segment concludes with a nice tribute to Eugene Lee, the legendary production designer who recently passed away at 83.

The Hippo

Filmmaker Blake (Mikey Day) convenes his cast — they're filming a movie about obesity. Unfortunately, the studio has canceled it. Each of the cast made serious preparations and sacrifices. Keith (Harrelson) gained 450 ("real") pounds in six months. Clearly this was inspired by The Whale. It's funny seeing Keith processing regret; he gave up a Marvel role for this. Meanwhile, the other cast members dyed their hair, or Jonas grew a beard. Shana (Nwodim) shadowed a therapist in her own time.

Victoria Jackson's take: "This sketch about the actor gaining 450 pounds for the role is HILARIOUS!"

Jack White's second performance

This is "A Tip from You to Me," a track off his latest solo album, Entering Heaven Alive. Another rousing song, very '70s vibe.

Beautiful Gym

Two men speak in the most beautiful way at the gym together. Harrelson and Bowen Yang work out together in a surreal sketch. Lots of non-sequiturs. We get a brief Sarah Sherman appearance — and a literal gym rat. Eh.

Final thoughts

Thanks so much to Victoria Jackson for her thoughts on the episode!
Thank you to Siobhan Fallon Hogan! If you're in the NYC area next month, check out Shelter in Solitude! For tickets, visit here.
How did you all feel about tonight's show? Chime in below or vote here!
RIP Richard Belzer.
Five Timer (and SNL spouse) Scarlett Johansson comes out in the good nights to give Woody his jacket.
Some fun energies here – I like when the show is playful and knowing about itself. From Jeremy's callout, to Woody demanding his jacket, to Update, there was a pulse here.
Very little Punkie and Sarah Sherman tonight! Why? WHY!?

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