Tracy Morgan is set to host “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 17, the third episode of Season 41. It will be the former cast member’s second time hosting, and his first since being involved a horrific automobile accident last year.
The season itself will open with Miley Cyrus on Oct. 3; Amy Schumer will host the second episode a week later. Musical guests for all three opening episodes will be announced at a later date. It wouldn’t be unusual if “Wrecking Ball” singer Cyrus pulls double-duty for her turn.
Cyrus is also set to host the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30, while “Trainwreck” star Schumer’s next comedy special, “Amy Schumer: Live From the Apollo,” debuts on Oct. 17 on HBO.
Morgan was an “SNL” player for seven seasons. Since the scary and tragic June 2014 crash, Morgan has been making progress but very few public appearances.
The man behind “SNL” favorites such as Brian Fellow and Astronaut Jones was involved in a six-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike last year, which left one dead and injured four. The limo bus carrying the “30 Rock” star and several of his comic friends was rear-ended by a Walmart tractor trailer driven by a man identified as Kevin Roper, who had been awake for 28 straight hours, per an investigation.
The limo bus — returning from a stand-up comedy gig in Delaware — flipped, killing James McNair, who performed under the stage name Jimmy Mack. Morgan and two others were hospitalized in critical condition at the time; the fourth injured passenger was listed in fair condition.
Walmart and Morgan settled their lawsuit in May. In March, the mega-corporation agreed to pay McNair’s family $10 million in a separate settlement.
“Saturday Night Live” is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.