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 December 9, 2017
 Season 43 episode
Franco 43
SZA
 Episode 837
 Season Episode 8
 Host James Franco
 Musical Guest(s) SZA
 Song(s) performed by
 Musical Guest(s)
"The Weekend"
"Love Galore"
Previous Episode
December 2, 2017
Next Episode
December 16, 2017

The 837th episode and 8th episode of Season 43 of Saturday Night Live premiered on December 9, 2017, hosted by actor James Franco, star of the hit films Spider-Man 3, Howl, Pineapple Express, This Is the End, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Interview, Why Him?, The Mad Whale, In Dubious Battle, The Disaster Artist, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Zeroville,, The Pretenders, Arctic Dogs, and The Long Home, with musical guest SZA, an R&B singer-songwriter. This is James Franco's 4th time as the host, as well as the musical guest debut was made on SNL for SZA.

James Franco previously hosted SNL on the following dates: On September 20, 2008, the second episode of SNL's 34th Season, with musical guests Kings of Leon, on December 19, 2009, the tenth episode and Christmas show of SNL's 35th Season, with musical guests Muse and on December 6, 2014, the eighth episode of SNL's 40th Season, with musical guest Nicki Minaj.

James Franco's goodnights speech is "Thanks to SZA, Steve Martin, Dave Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Lorne Michaels, Everybody, the Cast, Writers, Happy Holidays, Thank You". (Cheers and applause)

Cast[]

Repertory Players[]

Featured Players[]

Cameos by Dave Franco (James' brother), Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Steve Martin; onscreen appearances by writers Gary Richardson and Sudi Green.

Sketches and Musical Performances[]

 Cold Open   Sketch   Pre-recorded   Weekend Update   Music Performance   Other 

Title Image Summary
A Visit with Santa Cold Opening Santa Claus (Kenan Thompson) and his elf (Kate McKinnon) field some uncomfortable Christmas present requests. Cameo by future Sesame Street cast member Violet Tinnirello.
Audience Questions Monologue by James Franco Returning to host SNL for the fourth time, actor James Franco takes questions from audience members, including Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Steve Martin.
Sexual Harassment Charlie Two employees (James Franco, Kenan Thompson) apologize to their female colleagues (Melissa Villaseñor, Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong, and Leslie Jones) for sexually harassing them. Also Features Beck Bennett as Glenn and Mikey Day as Tommy.
Gift Wrap An overenthusiastic employee (James Franco) causes problems for his customers (Heidi Gardner, Beck Bennett, Leslie Jones, Kenan Thompson), as Tina (Kate McKinnon) tries to ask him to go to the hospital.
Scrudge Scrudge (Beck Bennett) is everyone's least favorite party guest. With Kyle Mooney as Michael, James Franco and Mikey Day as guests, Heidi Gardner as Heather, Alex Moffat as Kevin, and Chris Redd as Derek.
Spelling Bee Spelling bee contestants (Melissa Villaseñor, Luke Null, Chris Redd, Pete Davidson) struggle when the moderator (James Franco) makes the word choices personal. Also Features Kate McKinnon as Emily Steele and Alex Moffat as Todd St. Lucien.
SZA performs "The Weekend"
Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che With guest, Cathy Anne (Cecily Strong) and Michael Che goes undercover as Gretchen.
Za Two attorneys (James Franco and Heidi Gardner) disagree over a witness's (Pete Davidson) testimony. Also Features Kenan Thompson as judge and Chris Redd as delivery man.
Christmas Charity A woman (Cecily Strong) helps a homeless man (James Franco).
SZA performs "Love Galore"
Reunion James Franco attends a family reunion and see her cousin Mandy (Heidi Gardner). Cameo by James' brother and fellow actor Dave Franco.
Goodbyes and Closing Credits   James Franco thanked SZA, his brother Dave, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, the cast, and the writers and he wishes everybody "Happy Holidays".

Trivia[]

  • James Franco became a fourth-time SNL host this season.
Preceded by:
December 2, 2017
Saturday Night Live episode Followed by:
December 16, 2017
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