STEVE MARTIN AND PRINCE ON SNL

SUPERSTARS ARE FRONT AND CENTER IN FEBRUARY ON NBC'S "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"

Prolific SNL Host Steve Martin Returns, Extends Record, Joined By Musical Guest Prince

NEW YORK - January 19, 2006 - NBC's "Saturday Night Live" pulls out the stops on its sole February broadcast with two legendary performers - Steve Martin and Prince (LIVE, February 4, 11:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.).

Steve Martin returns to Studio 8H for his record-solidifying 14th hosting appearance. The award-winning actor, comedian, author, playwright and producer's hosting stints have left an indelible impact on SNL's 30-year history. With recurring characters like as the "Wild and Crazy" Czech Festrunk brothers, each Steve Martin-hosted show is an event unto itself.

Martin is set to take on the role of Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" opposite Kevin Kline and Beyonce Knowles. With scores of film roles to his credit, Martin has most recently been seen in "Shopgirl" (which he adapted from his novella) and the hits "Cheaper By The Dozen" and "Bringing Down the House." Martin starred in such comedy classics as "The Jerk," "All of Me" "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" "Father of the Bride," "Parenthood" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Martin scripted and starred in the hit acclaimed comedies "Three Amigos," "Roxanne," "L.A. Story" and "Bowfinger," as well as in the dramas "Grand Canyon" and "The Spanish Prisoner."

Martin has won Grammys for his comedy records as well as for his banjo work on Earl Scruggs' 75th Anniversary album. He has won raves for his essays in The New Yorker, plays "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" as well as his books "Shopgirl" and "The Pleasure of My Company."

Martin is joined by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and musical superstar - Prince. Arguably one of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the 20th century, Prince makes his first appearance on the show since 1981. Fresh off his double Grammy Award-winning release "Musicology" and his top-grossing tour, Prince is back with an eagerly anticipated album "3121" whose first single "Te Amo Corazon" made a major video debut in December. Always on the cutting edge of music and the music business - from his rare triple-threat in "Purple Rain" which was the No. 1 movie, album and single simultaneously in 1984 (winning an Oscar? for Best Score as well) to some of his seminal albums, "Sign O'The Times," "Around the World in a Day" and "Diamonds and Pearls" - he has sold over 60 million records and was at the forefront of web-based music distribution with his NPG Music club.