Eddie Murphy & More Announced to Host Saturday Night Live

August 26, 2019

NBC has announced the guest lineup for the next five episodes of Saturday Night Live, which will feature Eddie Murphy hosting on December 21 following the release of his next project Dolemite is My Name which is set to premiere sometime this fall. This marks his first time hosting the program since 1984

Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) will host on September 28 with musical guest Billie Eilish; Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) will host on October 5 with musical guest Taylor Swift; David Harbour (Stranger Things) will host on October 12 with musical guest Camila Cabello, followed by the November 2 host Kristen Stewart (Underwater) and Murphy making his appearance on December 21.

Dolemite is My Name is based on the life of Rudy Ray Moore, the comedian well-known for his raunchy, X-rated stand up that he also infused with rapping and rhythm, earning him the nickname Godfather of Rap. Moore also became popular for his creation of the character Dolemite in his stand-up routines that, after five years of performing as the urban hero, he decided to bring him to the big screen with the 1975 movie of the same name.

Dolemite was such a hit it spawned two sequels, as well as one unofficial sequel and an appearance in short film Murder Was the Case starring Snoop Dogg, and is credited as one of the most influential characters in the blaxploitation genre.

The upcoming biopic, directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs O.J. Simpson), will see Murphy portray Moore. Principal photography for the film began in June 2018 and the film is set to premiere sometime this fall.