The group is a star-studded group “Saturday Night Live” Guest hosts were on hand to welcome Kristen Wiig Into the “Five-Timers Club.” Wiig is disappointed that most of these people haven’t managed to do what she has done, which is host “SNL” 5 times.

The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member made her fifth appearance as host — having previously hit the stage in 2013, 2016 and twice in 2020.

The stolen “SNL valor” actually began with Paul Rudd, who was on hand to greet her from the audience. (Paula Pell, her former colleague and “SNL’ writer, also welcomed Wiig).

Wiig commented, “It’s very special to me as a former member of the cast.” “I’m really excited about getting my jacket tonight… they don’t just hand the jackets off to anyone.”

Well, not quite. Soon, there were more stars. Matt DamonMartin Short, Will Forte and Fred Armisen. Ryan Gosling. None of whom has actually hosted five occasions yet.

Damon, a host who has only appeared on two occasions, said: “Lorne [Michaels] said the first time I hosted was so good, it accounted for three — and then second time not quite as good that only counted for two,” Damon said. “But by my calculations, that’s five.” Maybe.”

Said Hamm, who has hosted three times — “the last time was in 2010 but I’m sure the fourth one is coming up, right Lorne?”

Wiig responded: “What is happening here?” I mean, I used to be so excited about being a member of the Five-Timers Club, but now I just feel like I don’t understand. It’s just not that special.”

Then came Gosling — who also hasn’t hosted five times, but actually was showing up a week early (he’s set to serve as next week’s host). Michaels told Gosling to not worry about Wiig’s protests over Gosling’s premature Five Timers jacket.

The guests weren’t just there for cameos in the open; Hamm appeared in a sketch parodying 1960s office culture — not playing Don Draper, but definitely revisiting the old “Mad Men” vibe. In a retirement party sketch, Rudd showed up as part of the cheesy “Gits & Shiggles” group while Armisen played a creepy co-worker, Damon apeared as himself (identifying himself the star of “The Legend of Bagger Vance”) and Forte was seen in character as the creepy “step-nephew of the events coordinator.”

The “SNL”, cast, and guests all wore the Five-Timer Club jackets at the end of the evening, as a way to continue the joke about how what was once considered a rare honor is now a common sight.

“Saturday Night Live” opened this week’s episode with a bit of March Madness fever — in particular, the women’s tournament. This week’s Cold Open began with a parody TBS’ NCAA Basketball team of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. Heidi Gardner also appears in the sketch as LSU Coach Kim Mulkey.

“I’m just gonna admit. Thompson-as Barkley confessed, “I am not an authority on college basketball.” “I feel more comfortable on my other program, you know the one on CNN, with Gayle King. “I talk about immigration and war on the Ukrainian.” The group then agreed that the women’s brackets were more exciting this year than the men’s brackets.

Wiig, a former “Saturday Night Live’ cast member, is currently starring in and executive producing the new Apple TV+ “Palm Royale” which premiered March 20. She is also returning to voice Lucy in “Despicable Me 4” and can be seen on Target commercials as her “SNL’ character Target Lady.

Raye will be the musical guest at Saturday’s show. A British singer-songwriter, Raye won six Brit awards in a single year in 2024. This marks her debut on “SNL”. 

Wiig becomes the third former cast member of “SNL” to host this season. She joins Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson. (Wiig made an earlier appearance this season on McKinnon’s episode in December).

Wiig joins the roster of Season 49 hosts that include Pete Davidson (Oct. 14), Bad Bunny (Oct. 21), Nate Bargatze (Oct. 28), Timothée Chalamet (Nov. 11), Jason Momoa (Nov. 18), Emma Stone (Dec. 2), Adam Driver (Dec. 9), Kate McKinnon (Dec. 16), Jacob Elordi (Jan. 20), Dakota Johnson (Jan. 27), Ayo Edibiri (Feb. 3), Shane Gillis (Feb. 24), Sydney Sweeney (March 2), Josh Brolin (March 9) and Ramy Youssef (March 30).

Besides Raye, music guests this season include Ice Spice (Oct. 14), Bad Bunny (Oct. 21), Foo Fighters (Oct. 28), Boygenius (Nov. 11), Tate McRae (Nov. 18), Noah Kahan (Dec. 2), Olivia Rodrigo (Dec. 9), Billie Eilish (Dec. 16), Reneé Rapp (Jan. 20), Justin Timberlake (Jan. 27), Jennifer Lopez (Feb. 3), 21 Savage (Feb. 24), Kacey Musgraves (March 2), Ariana Grande (March 9) and Travis Scott (March 30).

Next, Ryan Gosling hosts the April 13 episode “Saturday Night Live,” featuring musical guest Chris Stapleton.