SNL releases first teaser of Steve Carell as host

SNL has started teasing out Steve Carell's upcoming hosting gig.

The comedian and actor is due to return to the show, which he has hosted twice before, this coming Saturday.

In the first teaser released on SNL's YouTube channel, Carell can be seen preparing his return to comedy after rising to the ranks of "serious actor".

The Oscar-nominated actor plays a father whose son (Timothée Chalamet) struggles with addiction in Beautiful Boy, which was released last month.

He also plays former US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld in Vice, which will debut on 25 December in the US, and has the lead role in the drama Welcome to Marven, out on 21 December.

In SNL's newly released promo clip, a dedicated Carell assures cast members Chris Redd and Aidy Bryant that he's perfectly capable of returning to comedy after devoting his time to more serious roles.

What follows is an over-the-top dramatic montage of Carell scribbling in a notebook, alternatively laughing to himself and yelling "No!" in despair, and practising lines in front of a mirror.

He can be seen reading a – presumably made-up – book titled Re-learning comedy for dramatic actors, in between rehearsing stereotypical accents and crumpling pages of his notebook in frustration.

After Carell's intense preparation, he tells Bryant and Redd that his "instrument is ready".

The two comedians are then excited to tell Carell he will play a character named Dr Farts, who despite his name "can't stop burping".

Carell bursts out laughing at this revelation and delights: "It's good to be back!"

The Big Short star previously hosted SNL in 2005 and in 2008.

On Saturday, he will welcome British singer and songwriter Ella Mai as the show's musical guest.