Host James Franco’s NBC’s Saturday Night Live had barely gotten started when his opening monologue was gatecrashed by a couple of old friends and a comedy genius. The Disaster Artist actor decided to forgo the topical spiel to which guest-hosts usually subject the audience. Instead, he took a few questions from audience members.
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After answering a few simple queries, James became distracted by the sight of a familiar face — his long-time friend and colleague, Seth Rogen, was sitting in the audience! “I’m just here to see the show in general; I didn’t know you were hosting it. I put my name in the lottery for SNL tickets, and this was the week I got it,” Seth said. “Luckily, I’m a huge SZA fan,” he added, referencing the episode’s musical guest SZA.
The pair then started arguing about why James had hosted the show more times than Seth — who has hosted two SNL episodes to James’ fourth time. “Why don’t you ask Seth why the movies I do on my own like 127 Hours get nominated for Oscars, and the movies I do with Seth get nominated for a Stoner Award?” James mentioned in what would’ve been his SNL monologue.
At this point, another familiar face showed up, another member of Seth and James’ crew: James’s fellow Oscar nominee, Jonah Hill. Then, things got really ridiculous when James noticed comedy legend Steve Martin sitting in the balcony drinking a large soda.
Wow!!!!!!! Jonah Hill you look amazing bud! #snl #thelastjedi pic.twitter.com/gAl5U0B9cX
— John Darko (@JohnDarko) December 10, 2017
“James, I want you to know, I used to stand on that very spot, right where you’re standing,” he said. “I used to host Saturday Night Live, I used to be the center of attention, and I gotta say: I resent it, just a little bit,” Steve yelled from above.
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Needless to say, the Internet was absolutely thrilled with these surprise appearances. And the cameos didn’t stop there. Later in the episode, James’ younger brother and fellow co-star Dave Franco also popped up for a little family reunion in the “Reunion” skit.
Little Davey!! #SNL pic.twitter.com/XElC1Mpj43
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 10, 2017
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 10, 2017.