After spending a year in recovery from the life-altering car wreck that killed his friend, Tracy Morgan is returning to television to host “Saturday Night Live.”
Morgan spent seven years on “SNL” and hosted once before. Obviously glad to be returning, the former “30 Rock” star sent out a tweet announcing the big news: “Stoked to be going home … #SNL.”
The beloved funnyman hasn’t performed on stage since he suffered head trauma and broken bones from the car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike on June 7, 2014. A Wal-Mart truck driver named Kevin Roper, who admitted to not having slept for 28 hours on that day, caused the collision when he rammed into the back of the limo-van carrying Morgan and his friends. Twenty-one people in six vehicles were affected in the chain reaction, and Morgan’s longtime friend and mentor James McNair was killed.
Roper was charged with death by auto, and Wal-Mmart reached a confidential settlement agreement with Morgan and others who were in his limo at the time of the crash.
Morgan’s fans are still hoping he has recovered enough to take on the project he presented to FXX before the accident. The network had picked up the comedy series he pitched, but was forced to put it on hold after the car wreck.
“We know he wants to do it,” FX Networks CEO John Landgraf told Deadline Hollywood.
Morgan will make his return to “SNL” on the third episode of the sketch comedy show’s 41st season, airing Oct. 17. Miley Cyrus will host the season premiere and comedienne Amy Schumer will take over the show for episode two.
