NBC has remained curiously quiet on ‘SNL’’s three-hour 40th Anniversary special on February 15, and while cameos galore are expected, our first major homecoming may have arrived. Following a 31-year absence, Eddie Murphy will reportedly return to ‘SNL’ to ring in the NBC sketch comedy legend’s 40th anniversary.

Speaking in an interview with NewsOne, Murphy spoke on his absence from the series over the years, clarifying that timing prevented any major ‘SNL’ returns in the past few decades. That said, Murphy seemed to definitively state that he’d return for the 40th Anniversary, though in exactly what capacity remains to be seen:

It’s just timing. It just never worked out where the timing was right for me to do it … They’re actually having a 40th anniversary I think in two weeks. I’m going to that, and that’ll be the first time I’ve been back since I left.

Elsewhere, this Saturday will see ‘Whiplash’ star J.K. Simmons taking the ‘SNL’ stage for the first time (technically), alongside musical guest D’Angelo. NBC will likely have a larger announcement on its 40th anniversary special in the weeks to come, but what say you? Are you happy to see Eddie Murphy returning to ‘SNL’ after 31 years, whatever the capacity?

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