"SNL" PRESENTS THREE LIVE EPISODES BACK-TO-BACK WITH HOSTS FROM THE BIG AND SMALL SCREEN AND A MUSIC SUPERSTAR

"SNL" PRESENTS THREE LIVE EPISODES BACK-TO-BACK WITH HOSTS FROM THE BIG AND SMALL SCREEN AND A MUSIC SUPERSTAR

"Lost" Star Matthew Fox hosts with "Greatest Band on Earth" Tenacious D on December 2

Award-Winning Actress Annette Bening hosts December 9 with Superstar Gwen Stefani

"SNL's Bringing Justin Back:" Timberlake Does Double Duty as Host & Musical Guest December 16

NEW YORK � November 27, 2006 � NBC's "Saturday Night Live" warms up December with top-tier talent from screens big and small and music superstars.

On December 2, star of the Emmy-winning hit show "Lost" Matthew Fox hosts the show with musical guest � the greatest band on Earth � Tenacious D (Jack Black & Kyle Gass).

In addition to his work on "Lost," (for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble) Fox is known to millions for his work on the successful drama "Party of Five." He will next star opposite Matthew McConaughey in the anticipated film "We Are Marshall."

Joining Fox as musical guest is the platinum-selling duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass � Tenacious D, the self-proclaimed "Greatest Band on Earth." The comedy-folk-metal pair will perform selections from their latest album "The Pick of Destiny" which serves as the soundtrack to their recent feature film of the same name. Currently on tour, The D will play New York's legendary Madison Square Garden this week just prior to their appearance at SNL � where they have rocked before � both as a featured act and supporting Jack Black's hosting stints.

On December 9, it's a pair of leading ladies headlining SNL � Oscar and Emmy nominee Annette Bening with musical guest Gwen Stefani.

One of the most celebrated actresses working today, Bening makes her SNL debut. She is currently earning raves for her work in "Running With Scissors." She received Academy Award nominations for her work in "Being Julia," "American Beauty" and "The Grifters." She has starred in a wide variety of films from "Bugsy" and "Love Affair" opposite husband Warren Beatty to "The American President," "Regarding Henry," "Mars Attacks" and "Open Range" "Richard III" and "Valmont," to name a few. She was recently nominated for an Emmy for her work opposite Sir Ben Kingsley in the HBO film "Mrs. Harris."

Making a return appearance to SNL with Bening is Gwen Stefani. Stefani will perform from her forthcoming sophomore solo release "The Sweet Escape," the follow up to her quadruple-platinum debut "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.," which included the hits "Hollaback Girl" and "What You Waiting For?" The first single "Wind It Up" is currently rising up the charts.

Finally, on December 16, Justin Timberlake returns to SNL to once again do double duty as host and musical guest after his memorable turn in 2003 (which featured Timberlake as a singing omelet, as well as impressions of Jessica Simpson, Robin Gibb and Ashton Kutcher). Timberlake is among several prestigious artists including Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Queen Latifah, Janet Jackson and most recently Ludacris to serve as both host and musical guest.

Grammy winner Timberlake's current multi-platinum release "FutureSex/LoveSounds" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album charts where it continues to sit in the Top Ten. His first two singles, "SexyBack" and "My Love" have both been No. 1. Timberlake will kick off a world tour in 2007 and will be seen in the feature film Alpha Dog (from Universal) on January 12.

"Saturday Night Live," is from SNL Studios in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels. Steve Higgins produces. Marci Klein and Mike Shoemaker are producers. Head writers are Seth Meyers, Paula Pell and Andrew Steele. Don Roy King directs.