Table of Contents
Saturday Night Live (SNL), the iconic late-night sketch comedy show, continues to delight audiences with its blend of humor, satire, and star-studded appearances. On March 22, 2025, NBC re-aired the December 21, 2024 episode, featuring the incomparable Martin Short as host and the soulful Hozier as the musical guest. This episode, originally a holiday special, provided viewers with a delightful mix of comedy sketches and musical performances.
In this post, we revisit the highlights of this memorable episode, celebrating the enduring charm of SNL’s festive specials.
Martin Short: A Legendary Host
Martin Short, a celebrated actor, comedian, and writer, brought his unique flair to the SNL stage. Known for his sharp wit and vibrant character work, Short’s tenure on SNL during the 1984-85 season introduced memorable characters like Ed Grimley and Nathan Thurm. His return to host the December 21, 2024 episode marked his induction into SNL’s prestigious Five-Timers Club, a testament to his lasting impact on the show.
Throughout the episode, Short’s comedic genius shone through various sketches, including:
- Parking Lot Altercation
- An Act of Kindness
- Christmas Airport Parade
- Peanuts Christmas
These sketches exemplified Short’s ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting impression on both the live audience and viewers at home.
Hozier: Musical Guest Extraordinaire
Hozier, the Irish singer-songwriter renowned for hits like “Take Me to Church,” graced the SNL stage with his powerful vocals and emotive performances. In this episode, he delivered renditions of:
- “Too Sweet”: A track from his album Unreal Unearth: Unending, showcasing his soulful style.
- “Fairytale of New York”: A beautiful cover of The Pogues’ 1988 Christmas classic, adding a unique touch to the holiday favorite.
Hozier’s performances added a melodic depth to the episode, perfectly complementing the festive atmosphere.
Celebrity Cameos and Special Moments
The episode was enriched by numerous celebrity appearances, including:
- Tom Hanks: Participated in the “Christmas Airport Parade” sketch, bringing his comedic timing to the holiday setting.
- Tina Fey: Joined Short in the “Christmas Airport Parade” sketch, enhancing the comedic dynamic.
- Paul Rudd: Appeared in the “Sábado Gigante Christmas Special” sketch, adding to the festive humor.
- Dana Carvey: Also featured in the “Sábado Gigante Christmas Special” sketch, contributing to the episode’s comedic variety.
These cameos, along with others from Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, John Mulaney, Scarlett Johansson, and Jimmy Fallon, created a lively and unpredictable viewing experience, embodying the spirit of SNL’s holiday specials.
A Timeless Holiday Special
Revisiting the December 21, 2024 episode of SNL on March 22, 2025, allowed both new and returning viewers to experience the magic of the show’s holiday tradition. Martin Short’s return as host, coupled with Hozier’s musical performances and the array of celebrity cameos, made this episode a standout in SNL’s legacy.
As SNL continues to evolve, episodes like this remind us of the show’s ability to blend tradition with innovation, delivering content that resonates with audiences across generations.
Author Profile
- Syed Tahir Abbas is a Master's student at Southwest University, Chongqing, specializing in international relations and sustainable development. His research focuses on U.S.-China diplomacy, global geopolitics, and the role of education in shaping international policies. Syed has contributed to academic discussions on political dynamics, economic growth, and sustainable energy, aiming to offer fresh insights into global affairs.
Latest entries
Japanese PoliticsSeptember 6, 2025Prince Hisahito’s Coming-of-Age and Japan’s Male-Only Succession Dilemma
GeopoliticsAugust 23, 2025Previewing the White House Visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung
Middle East ConflictJuly 22, 2025Israel’s Deadly Attacks on Gaza: A Dire Humanitarian Crisis and International Calls for a Truce
Middle East & North AfricaJuly 20, 2025Israel Targets Damascus Amid Rising Tensions in Syria
3 comments
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the net, somebody with a bit of originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful. I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort.
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!