'I must return': Alec Baldwin is back as host of SNL... after his Trump impersonation helps boost show's ratings to 22-year high

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 23:03 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 00:07 EST, 9 February 2017

Alec Baldwin returns to host Saturday Night Live this weekend.

The actor has hosted the NBC skit show multiple times and for the past year has made regular appearances with his impersonation of Donald Trump.

To mark his next hosting gig, the 30 Rock star appears in a black-and-white promo in which he walks the hallowed halls of studio 8H.

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Return: Alec Baldwin takes a nostalgic tour of Saturday Night Live's studio 8H in promo for his return as guest host this coming weekend

Return: Alec Baldwin takes a nostalgic tour of Saturday Night Live's studio 8H in promo for his return as guest host this coming weekend

His hosting gig was announced in a black-and-white trailer released Wednesday

His hosting gig was announced in a black-and-white trailer released Wednesday

The 30 Rock star has previously hosted the NBC skit show 16 times and has been a regular on the show the past year with his Donald Trump impression

The 30 Rock star has previously hosted the NBC skit show 16 times and has been a regular on the show the past year with his Donald Trump impression

The nostalgia-laced teaser clip intersperses footage of him from previous shows and costumes for the characters he's played.

Baldwin provides the whimsical narration.

'This was my home. This was my heartbeat,' he muses. 'It feels like so many lifetimes ago.'

'I thought I had said goodbye, but the pull of fate is undeniable. So I must return,' the 16-time host said.

During the clip, old footage of him on the show flashes up on a monitor

During the clip, old footage of him on the show flashes up on a monitor

Some of his costumes from prior appearances were also shown

Some of his costumes from prior appearances were also shown

'This was my home. This was my heartbeat,' he mused in his narration. 'It feels like so many lifetimes ago'

'This was my home. This was my heartbeat,' he mused in his narration. 'It feels like so many lifetimes ago'

However, he's then interrupted by SNL castmember Vanessa Bayer as the video flashes back to color.

'It’s not a big deal,' she tells him.

'Oh, it’s a big deal,' he counters.

Baldwin is interrupted by SNL castmember Vanessa Bayer who reminds him of how many times he's been on the show, telling him: 'It's not a big deal'

Baldwin is interrupted by SNL castmember Vanessa Bayer who reminds him of how many times he's been on the show, telling him: 'It's not a big deal'

'Oh, it’s a big deal,' the actor countered

'Oh, it’s a big deal,' the actor countered

Meanwhile, the actor's impersonations of Trump have helped boost the show's ratings, with last Saturday's episode getting its highest ratings in 22 years.

The episode also included Melissa McCarthy's much praised impersonation of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

About 10.6 million people tuned in to watch, two million more than the average viewership last season.  

SNL hosted by Baldwin and with musical guest Ed Sheeran will air at 11:30 p.m. Saturday February 11. 

Baldwin will host SNL this Saturday February 11 with musical guest Ed Sheeran

Baldwin will host SNL this Saturday February 11 with musical guest Ed Sheeran

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