NEW YORK _ Eddie Murphy is going back to his roots.
The legendary funnyman is slated to make a long-awaited return "Saturday Night Live" after a 35-year absence.
On Monday, NBC announced the first round of hosts and musical guests for the long-running sketch comedy series' upcoming 45th season.
Murphy, who became a household name as an "SNL" cast member in the early 1980s, will return to host the Dec. 21 installment.
The gig will mark the Brooklyn's native very first time hosting the Emmy Award-winning Lorne Michaels-created series since 1984.
The 45th season of "Saturday Night Live "will kick off Sept. 28 with Woody Harrelson as host, paired with chart-topping "Bad Guy" singer Billie Eilish as the musical guest.
Other confirmed guests for the season, so far, include English actress, writer and showrunner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, actor David Harbour and Taylor Swift, who will celebrate her third appearance as musical guest.
Murphy, who garnered an Oscar nomination for 2006's "Dreamgirls," has kept a relatively low profile on television and in film. With the recent excitement surrounding his upcoming "Coming to America" sequel and the forthcoming Dolemite biopic for Netflix, the comeback trail is paved well for the Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner.
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