Eddie Murphy is returning to host Saturday Night Live for the 1st time in 35 years
Eddie Murphy's long-awaited return as Saturday Night Live host is finally happening.
The NBC sketch show on Monday announced that Murphy will serve as host for an episode airing this December. This, IndieWire notes, will be Murphy's first time hosting Saturday Night Live in 35 years.
Murphy, of course, kickstarted his career as a cast member of Saturday Night Live but left in 1984, the year he also hosted. He would never return as host after this, and in a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone, Murphy described his bad blood with the show. In particular, he took issue with a joke from David Spade comparing him to a "falling star" as a jab at his recent unsuccessful films.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I felt sh-tty about that for years, but now, I don't have none of that," Murphy told Rolling Stone. "I wouldn't go to retrospectives, but I don't let it linger."
Murphy did ultimately return for Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special in 2015, speaking for less than a minute after a lengthy, laudatory introduction by Chris Rock. "I'm so happy to be back here," Murphy said. "It's a magical feeling ... I will always love this show."
Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, David Harbour, and Kristen Stewart also also set to host Saturday Night Live this season, with Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Camila Cabello booked as musical guests. The musical guest for Murphy's show hasn't yet been revealed.
Murphy's return as Saturday Night Live host is set for Dec. 21.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published