THR is reporting the final three hosts of [Update] SNL’s 40th season will be Scarlett Johansson on May 2 (with Wiz Khalifa), Reese Witherspoon on May 9 (with Florence + the Machine) and Louis C.K. on May 16 (with Rihanna).

The lineup of hosts is sort of boring and expected, but Rihanna’s appearance as the season-ending musical guest is certainly worth mentioning. She hasn’t appeared on the show as a solo musical guest since November 10, 2012 - nine days before the release of her last album Unapologetic. Does that mean her next album, the years-in-the-making R8, will drop by the end May?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Fans have been expecting Rihanna’s eighth album for the better part of two years, so this could easily be another instance of her toying with our emotions...but what if it isn’t? As of this week, we’re three singles and countless snippets deep, so I’m going to take her SNL booking as a good sign.

I just hope it’s not a Tidal exclusive.

Image via screengrab.

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