Eddie Murphy returns to 'SNL' as Mister Robinson, Gumby and Buckwheat

New York (CNN Business)Eddie Murphy returned to "Saturday Night Live" after 35 years, and he brought back many of his most popular characters.

The actor, who was a cast member on the NBC variety show from 1980 to 1984, opened the show by telling the audience how happy he was to be back.

"It's great to be back here finally hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for Christmas," Murphy said. "This is the last episode of 2019, but if you're black this is the first episode since I left back in 1984."

Murphy then showed a picture of himself when he first started on the show.

"I look at least five years younger there," Murphy joked. "You know what they always say, 'money don't crack.'"

Murphy was greeted on stage by Tracey Morgan, Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle during his opening monologue.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world! My kids love Lizzo," Rock told Murphy referencing this week's musical guest.

Chapelle, who was smoking a cigarette on stage, said that he followed Murphy's blueprint for his career.

"I became the biggest star in television, and then I quit," Chapelle told Murphy.

In terms of sketches, Murphy brought back a few of his greatest hits including "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood."

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, it's a beautiful day for a neighbor. Could you be mine? Would you be mine?" Murphy as Mister Robinson sang. "I was gone for a bit, but now I'm alright. My neighbors were all black, but now they white."

In another sketch, Murphy played Buckwheat as a contestant on Fox's "The Masked Singer," and he also brought back the grumpy Gumby during the show's "Weekend Update" segment.

"I'm Gumby, damn it," Murphy as Gumby yelled.