Tomorrow night the wait is over! Eddie Murphy will host NBC’s Saturday Night Live with musical guest Lizzo, whose song “Cuz I Love You” accompanies Murphy through the newly released promo trailer. Though he did briefly make an (awkward) appearance at the SNL 40th Anniversary show back in 2015, tomorrow will mark Murphy’s first hosting gig in 35 years, as his official departure from the show came in 1984.
Murphy has made it well-known throughout various interviews that he intends on bringing back several of his most famous characters, including Gumby, Buckwheat, Mister Robinson, Velvet Jones and if we’re lucky maybe even James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub!
Apparently, it was a snarky joke told by SNL alumni David Spade regarding Murphy’s career in movies at the time that kept him absent for so long. Murphy has been credited for having saved the iconic show from permanent cancellation back in the 1980’s after Lorne Michaels’ brief departure and the entire cast was shipped off to Hollywood.
His upcoming SNL appearance is just one of many returns to the limelight to come, as it seems Murphy has several irons in the fire these days. He recently starred in the Netflix biopic Dolemite Is My Name, which follows the true story of rapper/comedian Rudy Ray Moore and his successful series of crude blaxploitation films. The role garnered Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for Murphy, as well as the best reviews of his career.
Murphy is also currently working on rebooting two of his more popular films from the 80’s: Coming to America, which wrapped shooting earlier this month, and Beverly Hills Cop, whose 4th installment is said to be coming to Netflix in the near future. Murphy has also confirmed plans for a return to stand-up comedy, with a new special already in the works. You can catch his triumphant return to the Not Ready For Prime Time Players tomorrow night, December 21 on NBC at 11:30 pm.