It seems that 'Saturday Night Live' really is pulling out all the stops to celebrate their 40th anniversary season. On November 1st the legendary sketch show will see alumni Chris Rock return for the first time in 18 years, while Prince and his band 3rdEyeGirl will be the musical guests.

PrincePrince will perform on November 1st's 'SNL'

The official announcement was made by ‘SNL’ on their Twitter page on Tuesday (October 14th). However the show was slightly beaten to the punch by the purple one himself, who had tweeted a picture of Rock impersonating him in the film Grown Ups earlier in the day.

Rock simply chose the words 'Im back', to make his announcement through social media.

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'Saturday Night Live' is currently celebrating its 40th season after first hitting our screens in 1975. Rock began his TV comedy career on the show, as a regular cast member between 1990 and 1993. He later returned as a guest host in 1996, but has not been back since.

Two other 'SNL' alums, Sarah Silverman and Bill Hader, have also hosted episodes this season.

The episode will be Prince's third time on the show, having made his first appearance in 1981. The musician is also celebrating an anniversary of his own this year, as 2014 marks 30 years since the release of the classic album Purple Rain.

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Prince will be joined on 'SNL' by his band 3rdEyeGirl, with whom he recorded two new albums earlier this year, Art Official Age and PlectrumElectrum.

Chris RockChris Rock will return to 'SNL' as a host