Maya Rudolph Jokes She 'Never Left' “Saturday Night Live” as She Emerges from On-Set Closet to Host

Rudolph, dressed like a colonial woman, eats her porridge and jokingly reveals she never actually left 'Saturday Night Live'

Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph's spirit has never left the hallowed halls of studio 8H — literally.

Ahead of her return to the comedy sketch show as host on May 11, current cast members Andrew Dismukes and Chloe Troast found the actress, 51, in her humble digs in a promo video.

As Dismukes and Troast converse while walking down the hall, they stop in front of a supply closet that seems to be the source of a mysterious laugh and flashing lights.

"Wait, did you hear that?" Dismukes asks to which Troast responds, "Yeah, I've never noticed that door before."

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When curiosity gets the best of them and Dismukes opens the door, they find a startled Rudolph dressed like a colonial woman and eating a bowl of porridge. In her closet, Rudolph's decorated the space with cushions, candles, a lamp and a shelf of books.

"Maya is that you?" Dismukes asks confused.

"Oh, hello there," the Loot star replies while smoothing her hair. "I wasn't expecting visitors."

After Troast asks how long she's been living in the closet, Rudolph jokingly reveals that she never left after exiting SNL in 2007.

"I've been in here since 2007. I never left. Why would I leave? I have everything I need here. My books, my porridge. And my dear friend Kenny," she continues, gesturing to a mop with googly eyes standing upright.

"Stop it Kenny!" Rudolph exclaims after Kenny seemingly makes a raunchy joke. "Don't be rude. There's a lady present." She then grabs a book and coughs up 17 years worth of dust from living in a closet.

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When Troast informs her that she's hosting this week, Rudolph asks the duo to close the door and give her a few minutes to "freshen up." Immediately after the shut the door, Rudolph emerges calm, cool and collected dressed in a black and white suit ensemble.

"See you Saturday!" she tells the duo as they flinch from her unexpected appearance.

Rudolph, who will appear alongside musical guest Vampire Weekend, made her SNL debut in 2001 before she left the show in 2007. Despite her exit, she continues to make periodic appearances in addition to hosting the show on occasion.

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Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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