December 21, 2019 Season 45 episode
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| Episode | 881 |
| Season Episode | 10 |
| Host | Eddie Murphy |
| Musical Guest(s) | Lizzo |
| Song(s) performed by Musical Guest(s) |
"Truth Hurts" "Good as Hell" |
| Previous Episode December 14, 2019 |
Next Episode January 25, 2020 |
The 881st episode and 10th episode of Saturday Night Live's 45th season premiered on December 21, 2019, hosted by former Ebersol-era cast member Eddie Murphy, the star of the hit films 48 Hrs. and its sequel 1990 film Another 48 Hrs., Trading Places, Best Defense, the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, The Golden Child, Coming to America, and the 2021 sequel film Coming 2 America, Boomerang, The Distinguished Gentleman, Wes Craven's Vampire in Brooklyn, Imagine That, Bowfinger, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, I Spy, Meet Dave, Dr. Dolittle, and its 2001 sequel Dr. Dolittle 2, Metro, Showtime, Holy Man, Daddy Day Care, Dreamgirls, The Nutty Professor and the sequel 2000 film Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Harlem Nights, Life, Norbit, Tower Heist, A Thousand Words, Mr. Church, Dolemite Is My Name, You People, Candy Cane Lane, and The Pickup, his 1983 stand-up comedy special Eddie Murphy Delirious and his 1987 stand-up comedy film Eddie Murphy Raw and the three-hit animated and family films DreamWorks Animation's Shrek franchise, and the holiday specials Shrek the Halls, Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular and Shrek's Yule Log and Disney's two hit films, the animated film Mulan, and the supernatural horror comedy film The Haunted Mansion, with musical guest Lizzo, a singer, songwriter, rapper, and flutist. Former Ebersol-era cast member Eddie Murphy breaking the record for longest span of time between his solo hosting appearances, set by actor Jeff Bridges on the December 18, 2010 episode, the tenth episode and Christmas show of SNL's 36th season at 27 years, 9 months, and 22 days, with musical guests Lil Wayne & Eminem, both rappers, thus making Eminem a former five-time musical guest to entered the Five-Timers Club. Murphy also surpasses by the legendary English singer and songwriter Mick Jagger's 34-year span between his hosting appearances, who hosted SNL, with the legendary English rock band The Rolling Stones on October 7, 1978, which is the Season 4 premiere, with then-Mayor of New York City, Ed Koch as the Special Guest and as both the solo host and the musical guest on May 19, 2012, which is the Season 37 finale of SNL, as well as his first appearance in over a decade, with special guests Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, and Jeff Beck. This is Eddie Murphy's 3rd time as the host and his first appearance for the first time in 35 years, 5 months, and 19 days. This is also Lizzo's musical guest debut on SNL.
The last time Eddie Murphy hosted the show was on the December 15, 1984 episode, the ninth episode of SNL's 10th season, with musical guests Robert Plant & The Honeydrippers, an English rock and roll band, (which is coincidentally, it was the Christmas episode), although he did make an appearance on SNL's 40th Anniversary Special.
Murphy is the third former Ebersol-era cast member, after Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Martin Short, from Dick Ebersol's tenure as showrunner to host an episode under Lorne Michaels' tenure. Murphy is also the third former Ebersol-era cast member and the only former African-American male cast member from that era to host, as well as the first and only former Jean Doumanian-era cast member to host a Lorne episode, making Murphy one of five cast members (joining original (and former) cast member Bill Murray, his younger brother Brian Doyle-Murray, and his former fellow Jean Doumanian cast members Denny Dillon, Gilbert Gottfried, Gail Matthius, Joe Piscopo, Ann Risley, Charles Rocket, Patrick Weathers, Matthew Laurance and Yvonne Hudson), who appeared on the show in some capacity (whether as a host, a cast member, or in a cameo appearance) under all three showrunners (Lorne Michaels, Jean Doumanian, and Dick Ebersol).
Murphy is also the only former Jean Doumanian-era and the second former Ebersol-era cast member to host the Christmas show of Saturday Night Live, after Martin Short, who hosted for the 3rd time on December 15, 2012, the tenth episode and Christmas show of SNL's 38th season, with musical guest Paul McCartney, the former Beatle and English music legend, as well as the second African-American celebrity to host the Christmas episode of SNL, after comedy legend and actor Kevin Hart, who hosted for the 3rd time on December 16, 2017, the ninth episode and Christmas show of SNL's 43rd season, with musical guests Foo Fighters, the legendary rock band.
The goodnight speech for Eddie Murphy is "Thanks to Lizzo, Rachel Dratch, Larry David, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle. Thanks for Making This My Incredible Night, (Cheers and Applause), I Love You, Merry Christmas". (screams). (Cheers and applause again)
Cast[]
Repertory Players[]
- Beck Bennett
- Aidy Bryant
- Michael Che
- Pete Davidson
- Mikey Day
- Heidi Gardner
- Colin Jost
- Kate McKinnon
- Alex Moffat
- Kyle Mooney
- Chris Redd
- Cecily Strong
- Kenan Thompson
- Melissa Villaseñor
Featured Players[]
- Cameos Appearances by Fred Armisen, Alec Baldwin, Dave Chappelle, Larry David, Rachel Dratch, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Jason Sudeikis, and Usher (who only appears in the goodnights).
Onscreen appearance by writer Gary Richardson.
Sketches and Musical Performances[]
Cold Open Sketch Videotaped Weekend Update Music Performance Other
| Title | Image | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| PBS Democratic Debate Cold Opening | 
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2020 presidential candidates Mayor Pete Buttigieg (Colin Jost), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Kate McKinnon), Tulsi Gabbard (Cecily Strong), Andrew Yang (Bowen Yang), Senator Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph), Sen. Bernie Sanders (Larry David), Amy Klobuchar (Rachel Dratch), Vice-President Joe Biden (Jason Sudeikis) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Fred Armisen) are face off in a debate. With Heidi Gardner as Judy Woodruff. Cameos by Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Larry David as Berne Sanders, Rachel Dratch as Amy Klobuchar, Jason Sudeikis as Joe Biden and Fred Armisen as Michael Bloomberg. Kate McKinnon plays both her impressions of Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi during the cold open. |
| Opening Montage | The musical guests/hosts' introductions clips of the opening montage were changed to two and one, only for this episode, (as opposed of two clips for musical guest Lizzo and one clip for host Eddie Murphy). | |
| Monologue by Eddie Murphy | 
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Former Ebersol-era cast member Eddie Murphy makes his triumphant returned to Saturday Night Live to host for the third time and his first appearance in 35 years, 5 months, and 19 days. He talked about he had his 10 children, being stay-at-home dad, beating out comedy legend and actor Bill Cosby, the former star of NBC's classic hit sitcom "The Cosby Show" and he also had his two new movies like Netflix's blaxploitation crime comedy film "Dolemite Is My Name" and shooting the 2021 sequel romantic comedy film "Coming 2 America". Eddie Murphy's monologue during his return to SNL after 35 years gets interrupted by two longtime former cast members Tracy Morgan and Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. They also joined the monologue stage by current cast member Beck Bennett, but he is cut by longest-tenured current cast member Kenan Thompson. |
| Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood 2019 | 
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Eddie Murphy respired as his iconic character of Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson (Eddie Murphy) returns to explain how a lot has changed since the last visit to his neighborhood. Also Features Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner as Mr. Robinson's new neighbors Damien and Micah and Chris Redd as the voice of Patrick, Mr. Robinson's long-lost son. |
| Next Episode Commercial Bumper | Adam Driver will return to Studio 8H to host "Saturday Night Live" for the third time on Jan. 25. Driver is currently nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in "Marriage Story." Halsey will make her third appearance as "SNL" musical guest. The multi-platinum selling artist's newest album, "Manic," was released Jan. 17. | |
| Holiday Baking Championship | 
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Contestants (Cecily Strong, Kyle Mooney, Heidi Gardner, and host Eddie Murphy) on a baking competition show present their holiday-themed cakes confections to judges (Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant, and Ego Nwodim). Alex Moffat plays the host. Also Features Kate McKinnon as the voice of Mitch's cake. |
| Home for the Holidays | 
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A family (Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, Chris Redd, and Ego Nwodim) gathers around the dinner table to reflect on the holidays. |
| The Masked Singer | 
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Judges on The Masked Singer Robin Thicke (Beck Bennett), Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg (Kate McKinnon), Nicole Scherzinger (Melissa Villaseñor), and Ken Jeong (Bowen Yang) try to guess which contestant is under the Corn on the Cob mask, hosted by Nick Cannon (Chris Redd), it's Buckwheat (Eddie Murphy). Eddie Murphy respired as his iconic character of Buckwheat and he also singing his versions of the classic famous songs. A parody of the FOX's reality singing competition television series "The Masked Singer". |
| Lizzo performs "Truth Hurts" | 
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She knocked it out of the park with a revamped of her Grammy-nominated single "Truth Hurts" with the backing of a live band. |
| Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che | 
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Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like the House Democrats moving forward with impeachment against President Donald Trump and make each other read jokes they've never seen it before live on air to close out the year 2019. With guests, Gumby (Eddie Murphy) stops by the Weekend Update desk to remind Michael and Colin who he is, damn it, Pete Davidson arrived the Weekend Update desk to share his unique perspective on President Trump getting impeached by the House and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro (Cecily Strong) came to talk to Colin about celebrating Christmas and how President Trump's impeachment is a Democratic coup that will disappear. Onscreen appearance by SNL writer Gary Richardson as a cue-card holder. Also, Cecily's impression Jeanine Pirro threw up gallon of wine on Colin Jost's outfit and she accidentally said a bad F-word at the end of Weekend Update. |
| Black Jeopardy | 
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Contestants Rashad (Chris Redd), Kiana (Ego Nwodim) and Mr. Velvet Jones (Eddie Murphy) competes on the game show Black Jeopardy, hosted by Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson). Eddie Murphy reprised as his iconic character of Velvet Jones. This marked the sixth and final appearance of the "Black Jeopardy" sketch. |
| Lizzo performs a holiday-themed remix of "Good as Hell" | 
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Lizzo and the dancers laid down a holiday performance, complete with Christmas trees, fake snow and even candy-cane-themed stripper poles for two of the dancers. |
| North Pole News Special Report | 
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A news report from the North Pole covers a horrific accident at Santa's workshop, especially the polar bears. With Eddie Murphy as Kiddle Diddles the elf, Mikey Day as Donnie Chestnut, Alex Moffat as news anchor Rick Sugarplum, Cecily Strong and Chloe Fineman as one of Santa's elves. |
| Goodbyes and Closing Credits. Usher appears during the goodnights. | 
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Eddie Murphy thanked Lizzo, Rachel Dratch, Larry David, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. He also thanked the audience, crew and the fantastic cast and everyone for making this his incredible night and bringing him back home to Saturday Night Live for Christmas, he loves everyone and wishes everybody "Merry Christmas". Cameo appearance by Usher. |
Cut for Time[]
Sketches and Musical Performances[]
Cold Open Sketch Videotaped Weekend Update Music Performance Other
| Title | Image | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aidy Bizzo and Lizzo | Longtime current cast member Aidy Bryant gets a big boost of self-confidence from musical guest Lizzo. Also features Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, Michael Che, Heidi Gardner, Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang and host and former Ebersol-era cast member Eddie Murphy. This sketch was cut for time, but later released online on YouTube and NBC.com. | |
| Holiday Gig | A band's (Eddie Murphy, Kenan Thompson, and Kyle Mooney) holiday performance is interrupted by internal squabbling. Also Features Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner as the audience members. Also, Mooney's character, Brad Dates, subsequently plays a digital wind instrument, referred to by Treece as a clarinet, instead of piano. This sketch was cut for time, but later released online on YouTube and NBC.com. |
Trivia[]
- Longtime current cast member Kate McKinnon plays her two impressions during the "PBS Democratic Debate" Cold Open: Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi.
- SNL writer Gary Richardson appears on Weekend Update as a cue-card holder.
- Usher appears during the goodnights.
- Murphy reprises some of his most iconic SNL characters including Mr. Robinson (Mister Robinson's Neighborhood), Buckwheat (The Masked Singer), Gumby ("Weekend Update") and Velvet Jones ("Black Jeopardy!").
- Except for his brief appearance on the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special in 2015, this episode marked Eddie Murphy's first appearance on SNL since he hosted in the tenth season 35 years earlier.
- This marked the sixth and final appearance of "Black Jeopardy!" sketch.
- In Holiday Baking Championship sketch, Eddie Murphy lets a curse word "s---" loose when yelling at his cake at the end, he then raises his hand to cover his mouth and utters "oops" instead of "we can still win this thing".
- Most time in between 2nd and 3rd times hosting SNL: Eddie Murphy returned to SNL to host for the 3rd time this weekend.
- Eddie Murphy also becomes a third-time SNL host this season.
- Each of the three times, Eddie Murphy has been hosted the Christmas show of the particular seasons of the show.
Trivia/Notes[]
- This marked the final SNL episode of 2019, as well as the final episode of SNL to air in the 2010s, as the year will end on Tuesday December 31, 2019, on New Year's Eve. The new decade will begin on Wednesday January 1, 2020.
- An average of 9.921 million viewers watched the show live but including seven+ DVR numbers, the show totaled 16.3 million viewers, making it the highest watched episode since 2008.
- Former Ebersol-era cast member Eddie Murphy won his first ever Emmy Award for hosting this episode; also, longtime former cast member Maya Rudolph won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of her impression Kamala Harris on this episode and longtime director Don Roy King won an Emmy Award for directing this episode. In total, this episode received six Emmy Award nominations and four Emmy Award wins.
- Eddie Murphy accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes for “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment in 80th Golden Globe Awards.
| Preceded by: December 14, 2019 |
Saturday Night Live episode | Followed by: January 25, 2020 |