Like many Saturday Night Live alumni, Eddie Murphy says he returning to the show felt both familiar and a little unreal.
"It's like going back to your old high school or going back to college—'cause it's the exact same system in place," he said during a recent appearance on the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. "It's kind of surreal."
Known as one of SNL's biggest breakout stars, Murphy was casted on the sketch comedy show back in 1980 when he was just 19 years old. Though he did make a brief appearance on the show's 40th anniversary special, this week's episode marked the first time Murphy has hosted SNL in 35 years.
The now 58-year-old spoke about his much-anticipated return in his opening monologue.
"This is the last episode of 2019, but if you're black, this is the first episode since I left back in 1984," he said.
He created an iconic moment by bringing back Tracy, Dave, and Chris, who all asked if he got their sketch ideas. Beck Bennett tried to crash the reunion, but Kenan Thompson quickly threw him out.
There's no doubt Eddie's episode will be one for the books. Prior to the broadcast, he told Fallon he would reprise a few of his iconic SNL characters, which include Gumby, Buckwheat, Velvet Jones, and Mister Robinson.
You can watch a clip of his monologue above. Saturday's episode also featured musical guest Lizzo.
