Maya Ruldolph To Return To Saturday Night Live To Host

Many of the comedians on the seminal sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live are able to find lots of film and television work after their tenure. However, no matter how successful they become, not that many are brought back to host the show that helped launch their careers. NBC just announced the latest departed cast member to receive the prestigious invitation to host, and it's Maya Rudolph. And joining Ms. Rudolph for her triumphant return on February 18 (soon!), is the Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells as musical guest.

First things first, Maya Rudolph will be the first returning cast member since Jimmy Fallon's hosting gig late last year. And since that episode went so well, generally regarded as one of the best, meaning funniest, SNL episodes in some time, it's no surprise that the sketch comedy show didn't waste anytime bringing back another former cast member in the position. However, I don't want to suggest that the comedian (comedienne) doesn't absolutely deserves the job since she's coming off a really fantastic year. Not only is she a recurring cast member on NBC's promising first season sitcom Up All Night, she also provided a wonderful supporting performance in the breakout comedy Bridesmaids with her SNL co-star Kristen Wiig.

As previously mentioned, joining Rudolph for the episode of Saturday Night Live is the Brooklyn noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells. The pair, who made a critical and commercial splash with their first record "Treats" (2010), will be making their network television debut on the 'hallowed ground' of the SNL stage. The band's newest album is called "Reign of Terror" and is set to hit record stores (both literal and digital) on February 21. If you've never heard Sleigh Bells before, the biggest hit off "Treats" might be "Infinity Guitars" or you can listen to the first pre-release released track from "Reign of Terror" called "Born to Lose."

Saturday Night Live with your host Maya Rudolph and musical guest Sleigh Bells will air on February 18 at 11:30 ET on NBC.