Candice Bergen Makes SNL History as First Woman Five‑Timer

Veteran actress Candice Bergen, best known for her Emmy‑winning turn as Murphy Brown and her turn as Shirley Schmidt on Boston Legal, has added a new milestone to her résumé. On a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, Bergen joined Jack Black’s monologue celebrating his induction into the show’s exclusive Five‑Timers club and, in doing so, became the first woman ever to join the club herself.

The segment featured a star‑studded lineup—Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Melissa McCarthy and Black—who tossed jokes about “first‑timer” jackets and even a whimsical Paddington‑themed quip from Bergen. Her quick‑witted line about “spending a night with Paddington in 1700” drew laughter and underscored her enduring comic timing.

Bergen’s career spans more than six decades, beginning with a 1967 shoot on the European set of The Magus in Mallorca. Her five Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes cement her status as a television icon, and her recent SNL cameo proves she remains a cultural force in the United States.

The historic appearance not only celebrates Bergen’s longevity but also signals a broader shift in comedy’s gender dynamics, highlighting the slowly expanding recognition of women’s contributions to late‑night television.