Paul Rudd Hosting ‘SNL’ For 5th Time Amid Quickly Changing Episode

Paul Rudd is about to be a member of the Five-Timers Club on ‘SNL’ as he prepares to host the Dec. 18 episode. Charli XCX will no longer be appearing.

Live from New York, it’s Saturday night! Season 47 of Saturday Night Liveis well underway, and show runner Lorne Michaels has yet to disappoint with his choice of show hosts and musical guests. This week, Paul Rudd is returning as host for the fifth time. The appearance is significant as it means the 52-year-old is part of the coveted Five-Timers club! Rudd was initially set to be joined by returning musical guest Charli XCX, 29, however, her performance was cancelled hours before the show amid a quickly changing schedule.

Paul Rudd and Charli XCX. ” (Rosalind O’Connor/NBC)

Due to the Omnicron variant of COVID-19, the studio audience was cancelled for the Dec. 18 show. “Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of Saturday Night Live and the show will have limited cast and crew,” the Twitter account for the show read on Dec. 18. The announcement came shortly after reports surfaced several cast members tested positive for COVID, which also in turn affected crew numbers — leading to the cancellation of Charli’s second appearance.

Last week, Billie Eilish, 19, pulled double duty as both first-time host and returning musical guest! The highly anticipated episode came after a brief hiatus since the Nov. 20 show, which was hosted by Simu Liu, 32, and first-time musical guest, Saweetie, 28.

Owen Wilson, 52, opened the season musical guest Kacey Musgraves, 33, on Oct. 2. The Wedding Crashers star also made his hosting debut in season 47, chalking up the long wait to nerves. “I get really nervous with public speaking. I’ve never done any of those commencement addresses or Saturday Night Live just because I get too nervous,” he explained on a hike to friend Kevin Nealon in a YouTube video. Owen slayed it, and even had some help from his brothers Andrew, 57, and Luke, 50, during his opening monologue.

Learn more about this week’s show below.

Paul Rudd Set To Host ‘SNL’ For 5th Time

Saturday Night Live is set to welcome Paul back for the fifth time! The Ant-Man actor joined up about being inducted to the Five-Timers club during a promo shot earlier this week with Charli XCX and cast member Ego Nwodim. “Oh, this is your fifth time hosting?” Charli inquired with her British accent. Paul quickly clarified, “No, no no. I was just arrested for the fifth time this week.”

Paul Rudd! Charli XCX!
Our last episode of 2021!
THIS SATURDAY pic.twitter.com/x05pP9eMzW

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 14, 2021

Notably, other stars that that are members of the Five-Timers Club (there’s 21 in total) include Scarlett Johansson, Melissa McCarthy, Dwayne Johnson, Jonah Hill, Will Ferrell, Justin Timberlake, and Ben Affleck.

Paul made his SNL debut back in Nov. 2008 alongside musical guest Beyoncé, again in Dec. 2010 with musical guest Paul McCartney, and for the third time in Dec. 2013 with One Direction. His most recent appearance was in May 2019 with DJ Khaled.

The ‘SNL’ Musical Guest Tonight Was Charli XCX

Charli XCX — née Charlotte Emma Aitchison — was set to return for her second performance on SNL until it was cancelled just hours before.

:( pic.twitter.com/5D0I1XM65b

— Charli (@charli_xcx) December 18, 2021

“My performance will not be able to go ahead. I am devastated and heartbroken,” the British singer wrote via social media on Dec. 18, referencing the changing schedule due to COVID-19. “Our crews and teams worked so hard to bring this musical performance to life. It can’t happen this time, but I’ll be back,” she added, confirming she is currently “safe” and “healthy.” Charli urged fans to “take care of themselves” and “get vaccinated” as she signed off her statement.

The British-born star drops her fifth album Crash in March 2022, with the support of friends Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek. She released single “New Shapes” just ahead of the the performance at Studio 8H, which is expected to get the live treatment.

Charli made her debut on the show on Dec. 13, 2014 when she performed “Boom Clap.”

What Time Is ‘SNL’ On?

Saturday Night Live airs at 11:35 p.m. PST/EST and 9:30 p.m. MT on local NBC affiliates. The series can also be streamed live on the Peacock app.

Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim and Bowen Yang are all returning for season 47. (Will Heath/NBC)

‘SNL’ Cast Members This Season

Saturday Night Live has a number of new cast members joining the show this season, including Andrew Dismukes, Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson, Punkie Johnson and Aristotle Athari.

Michael Che and Colin Jost remain in their roles as “Weekend Update” hosts, which they took over in 2014 from Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong. Other returning cast members include Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Alex Moffatt, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd, Ego Nwodim, Melissa Villaseñor, Bowen Yang and Cecily.

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost are seen on ‘Weekend Update’ during Season 46. (Will Heath/NBC)

Beck Bennett and Lauren Holt announced their departures ahead of season 47. Beck, 36, took to social media with a heartfelt message about his exit. “Love you, SNL,” he wrote on Sept. 27. “Gonna miss you so much. Thank you for 8 years of remarkable people and incredible experiences that completely changed my life. I had so much fun,” he also penned, alongside a slew of photo highlights which you can see here.

Beck Bennett announces his departure from ‘SNL.’ (Instagram/Beck Bennett)

Lauren also shared a sweet tribute to mark the end of her one year run. “What an incredible year spent with incredible people. I will always be so grateful,” the comedian began. “Cheers to all the cast members past, present, & future…so proud to be/have been a part of this amazing family. These three letters will always bring joy to my heart… SNL, I love you,” she also said.