Wednesday, April 22, 2009

SNL ends season with Justin Timberlake & Ciara on May 9; Will Ferrell & Green Day on May 16

NBC's Saturday Night Live concludes one of its best seasons in years with back-to-back shows in May featuring Justin Timberlake and musical guest Ciara on May 9, and "SNL" alum Will Ferrell and musical guest Green Day on May 16.

After many unforgettable appearances on the show as a guest, Justin Timberlake returns to studio 8H as host. Timberlake's appearances on "SNL" have produced several viral video sensations, such as the Emmy Award-winning song "D**k In A Box," and a recent cameo in November alongside Beyonce in a "Single Ladies" video parody. Timberlake is a six time Grammy award-winner, who came to fame as a member of the multi-platinum group, 'N Sync. In 2002, he released his debut solo album, "Justified," followed by his second solo album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," with chart-toppers "SexyBack", "My Love", "LoveStoned," and "What Goes Around... / ...Comes Around." The two solo albums have sold over 18 million copies worldwide. Aside from his music career, Timberlake has starred in numerous feature films including, "Alpha Dog," "Shrek The Third," and "Black Snake Moan."

Grammy winner Ciara will be the musical guest and Justin Timberlake will join her to perform her newest single, "Love Sex Magic." Already breaking into the Top Ten on Billboard's Hot 100 List, "Love Sex Magic" is the second single off Ciara's third album, "Fantasy Ride." Gaining notice in 2004 with her triple platinum debut album, "Goodies," the album included number one hits such as "Goodies" and "1,2 Step." She followed with her platinum sophomore album in 2006, "Ciara: The Evolution," which contained chart-toppers such as "Promise" and "Like A Boy." In addition to receiving the prestigious "Entertainer of the Year Award" at the Soul Train Awards in 2005, Ciara has earned four Grammy nominations (including Best New Artist), five ASCAP Awards for Songwriting, three Teen Choice Awards, two BET Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards.

Will Ferrell, an "SNL" cast member for seven seasons, returns to studio 8H as a second-time host of the show for the season finale on May 16. Ferrell will star in the film "Land of the Lost," due out June 5. After his years at "SNL," Ferrell went on to star in the hit feature films "Old School," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Elf," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and "Step Brothers." Ferrell recently made his Broadway debut in his solo show, "You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush" where it enjoyed a six-week sold-out run.

Green Day will make their third appearance as "SNL" musical guest for the season finale. The band's eighth studio album, "21st Century Breakdown," due out Friday, May 15th on Reprise Records, has been heralded by Rolling Stone as "urgent, soaring and powerful." Green Day's trio, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, solidified their arrival on the music scene in 1994, with their debut album, "Dookie." The album was a dynamic blast of exuberant three-chord punk rock that sold over 15 million copies worldwide and earned Green Day their first Grammy award. Nearly a decade later, Green Day launched into the stratosphere with their landmark album, "American Idiot," debuting at the top of the Billboard charts and selling more than 12 million copies worldwide. The album also spawned five hit singles and earned seven Grammy nominations, and two Grammy wins, including Best Rock Album.

- http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/