A host of top Oscar hopefuls, including Amy Poehler and John Legend, will host Saturday Night Live as its first live broadcast since it was axed by NBCUniversal in 2016.
The network announced in a tweet that Poehler, Legend and Jimmy Fallon will take over the spot, which will begin on March 16 at 8 p.m.
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The late-night comedy’s first season was marred by controversy, including the firing of its cast, producers and writers.
Fallon, who hosted The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon from 1999 to 2003, said in January that he would be stepping down, a move that drew criticism.
He later said he was stepping down because he wanted to focus on his family.
Poehler tweeted shortly after that announcement that Fallon was leaving to join NBC.
The actor and comedian will serve as the show’s first host.
“I love to do it, and I love the idea of it,” Poehler said on SNL’s Season 9 premiere in April.
“It’s not like I’m going to be a writer.
I’m just going to do the comedy.”
Fallon, who also hosts Late Night with Seth Meyers, is expected to return as host for the show in 2019, but has yet to confirm his plans.
The comedian, who has made his mark on television with hits such as his new sitcom The Soup and The Soup: Season 2, has also been rumored to be in talks to host the 2018 Oscars, which are being held on Feb. 7 and Feb. 13.
Fallon has not yet responded to a request for comment.
A spokesperson for SNL did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the news.
Ahead of the 2018 awards, Kimmel and other top stars took to Twitter to express their support for Poehler.
“Amy, John, Jimmy, Seth and I are so proud to announce we will be hosting the 2018 Academy Awards tonight,” Kimmel tweeted.
“And we’ll have the chance to do a special sneak peek at all the incredible performances from the stars of ‘SNL.’ “