Tracy Morgan bounces back from accident to host Saturday Night Live
Comedian played familiar characters, including Astronaut Jones, stranded on Mars
Tracy Morgan returned to a familiar stage, hosting Saturday Night Live in his first appearance on the show since a vehicle crash that left him in a coma.
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"I was in a terrible car accident more than a year ago. It was awful, but it also showed me how much love and support I have in this world," the comic said in his opening monologue.
In one sketch, he was joined by 30 Rock co-stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer. Fey broke character to inject a serious note: "We're so happy you're OK. We're even happier you're ready to make people laugh again."
Morgan also brought back a couple of his familiar characters — Astronaut Jones (stranded on Mars, à la Matt Damon in The Martian) and animal expert Brian Fellow (joined by a real camel, who mostly cooperated).
Morgan suffered severe head trauma in June 2014 when a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike slammed into the back of the limo van he was riding in. Comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair, a mentor of Morgan's, was killed in the crash. Morgan was in a coma for two weeks. Three other passengers suffered serious injuries.