NBC has announced that Maya Rudolph will host "Saturday Night Live" on February 18, 2012. Supporting her as a musical act will be the Brooklyn based band Sleigh Bells.
Rudolph, who is one of the stars of the Oscar-nominated "Bridesmaids" and currently appears on the NBC sitcom "Up All Night," was an "SNL" cast member herself from 2000 to 2007. This will be her first time hosting, although she has appeared on the show several times since leaving.
On "SNL," Rudolph was known for a wide variety of characters, including the co-host of "Bronx Beat" and her animated impersonation of Oprah Winfrey. Notably, she is the only actor to have played Michelle Obama on "SNL," in a 2008 guest appearance prior to Obama's election. It's a good bet that Rudolph will play the First Lady again when hosting. Watch her first appearance here.
Rudolph joins Jimmy Fallon and Ben Stiller as former "SNL" players who have returned to host the show this season, the 37th for the program. (Stiller was a featured cast member for five episodes in 1989.)
Sleigh Bells, a darling of the indie music establishment, will release their second album "Reign of Terror" on February 21. This "SNL" appearance will be their network TV debut.
This weekend, on February 11, Zooey Deschanel will host the show, with musical guest Karmin. Jonah Hill will host the show on March 10.
UPDATE: A previous version of this article indicated that Rudolph had only appeared on "SNL" twice since leaving. She has actually appeared on the show much more frequently in guest appearances.
Related
Sign up for Peacock
to stream NBCU shows.