WILL FERRELL RETURNS TO "SNL" MAY 14

'SNL' ALUM WILL FERRELL RETURNS TO HOST MAY 14 WITH MUSICAL GUEST QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

NEW YORK -- May 3, 2005 -- Comedy superstar Will Ferrell makes his triumphant return to his old stomping grounds: "Saturday Night Live" (live on NBC, 11:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.) on May 14 with musical guest Queens of the Stone Age.

Ferrell, who left "SNL" in 2002 and makes his first hosting appearance, has become one of the busiest actors working today. This summer, he stars in two features the soccer-dad in the comedy "Kicking and Screaming" from Universal Pictures and the big screen version of the classic TV show "Bewitched" opposite Nicole Kidman. In his seven seasons on SNL, Ferrell created countless memorable and shamelessly funny characters from Craig the Spartan cheerleader to Marty Culp the singing middle school teacher and Professor Klarvin in the "Lovers" sketch opposite Rachel Dratch as well as his hailed impression of President Bush. His versatility earned him two Emmy nominations. Since leaving, he's starred in numerous films including his back-to-back 2003 comedy smashes "Old School" and "Elf." Last summer, he starred in and co-wrote the hit comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and he recently appeared in the ensemble of Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda." Other film credits include "Zoolander," "Dick," the first two "Austin Powers" movies, "A Night At The Roxbury," "Superstar" and "The Ladies Man."

Joining Ferrell is another debut - critically praised rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age. A revolving door of rock's top talent which has included the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan, that centers around frontman and guitarist Josh Homme, Queens of the Stone Age will perform from their Top Ten debuting album "Lullabies to Paralyze." The Queens' multi-layered sound is seamlessly mixed with everything from hard rock to blues and punk to psychedelia and critics are noting that their "rippin'" (SPIN) current release is "the first legitimate Album of the Year candidate for 2005." (Alternative Press). Their first single "Little Sister" is making strong impressions on the Billboard Modern Rock charts where it continues to reside in the Top Ten.