NBC

SNL had always intended to take off the coming weekend in preparation for its final May shows, but given the tragic passing of music icon Prince, NBC will pay tribute to the late star with a special highlight of the artist’s musical performances.

SNL has had only a moderate April, between hosts Peter Dinklage, Russell Crowe and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, but fans can easily agree on at least one gem: “Space Pants.” Were there further need to settle the debate, SNL has obliged with full-length rendition of the interstellar track, Gwen Stefani and all.

Just yesterday saw SNL springing into April with Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage’s first promos, and April looks even more regal. Not only will Julia Louis-Dreyfus return to SNL to host an April hour, so too will Russell Crowe making his hosting debut.

Just days into the movie’s run as the most successful R-rated opening of all time, Deadpool seemingly broke a fifth wall with a 20,000-strong petition to host SNL, or at least Ryan Reynolds in character. Take your pick of reasons that would never happen, but now Deadpool has given an official response, dragging Kanye West’s recent backstage tirade into the mix.

For the time being at least, it seems as if the sands of late night have ceased their shifting, with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon firmly settled into David Letterman and Jay Leno’s old jobs, while Trevor Noah and Larry Wilmore lead Comedy Central Daily and Nightly, and Seth Meyers will be staying in place as well. Per NBC, the former SNL writer and current Late Night host will stick with his current posting for at least another five years.

NBC seems to have re-welcomed Donald Trump to the airwaves with this past Friday’s Tonight Show, but The Celebrity Apprentice will be back with a new host all the same. Trump is officially terminated, now that Arnold Schwarzenegger will get behind the desk as the newest host of The Celebrity Apprentice.

NBC reality trek Running Wild With Bear Grylls has made headlines in recent months for bringing high-profile figures out into the wilderness, but the survival series may yet have its biggest name ever, and all for a cause. Barack Obama himself will join Grylls in the wilds of Alaska, exploring some of the climate change of the region.

The unending gift of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential bid had many wondering if the billionaire’s Celebrity Apprentice had come to an end, and NBC has at last made the split official. Following Trump’s racist remarks causing a schism from Univision, NBC has completely severed any and all ties to Trump.

The Age of Revivals spurred along by the likes of Netflix’s Fuller House or whatever NBC drags out of the dumpster next has many hopeful that Friends will finally get its oft-discussed reunion. Nope! Co-creator Marta Kauffman bluntly states “reunions suck,” at last putting an end to speculation.

We just couldn’t leave well enough alone between The X-Files, Heroes, 24 and others, now Coach has been plucked from its grave for another go. Craig T. Nelson has been confirmed to lead an NBC revival of the classic sitcom, switching over from its original ‘90s run on ABC.

NBC has remained curiously quiet on ‘SNL’’s three-hour 40th Anniversary special on February 15, and while cameos galore are expected, our first major homecoming may have arrived. Following a 31-year absence, Eddie Murphy will reportedly return to ‘SNL’ to ring in the NBC sketch comedy legend’s 40th anniversary.

The unfortunate and untimely death of the great Jan Hooks this past week sent the comedy world into mourning, with countless writers and comics stepping forward to pay tribute to the late 'SNL' star. It could have been easy for this week's new episode to gloss over the passing of one of their own (it is a comedy show, after all), but 'SNL' has always been a slightly class institution -- it remembers those who came before.