SNL

Daniel Radcliffe is coming to the defense of the singer he introduced on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend ... sorta.

Radcliffe was at the Bafta nominations ... when he was asked about Lana Del Rey -- who's been TRASHED by music critics and people with ears alike who suffered through her baffling performance on the show (below).

Radcliffe responded, "It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly."

Radcliffe concluded, "I don't think it warranted anywhere near that reaction."

Alec Baldwin took even more unrelenting shots at American Airlines last night -- mocking his recent cell phone debacle on "Saturday Night Live" ... even referring to himself as an "American treasure."

Among the awesomeness ... Alec -- pretending to be the pilot of his ill-fated flight -- explained why he slammed the lavatory door so loudly during his alleged standoff with a flight attendant ... claiming, "Words with Friends" can be "frustrating."

"Saturday Night Live" legend Chevy Chase believes four SNL cast members truly stand out as the best ever -- and one might shock you ... because rumor has it ... Chevy despises the man.

Good news boys and girls ... Mr. Robinson might actually return to the neighborhood.**

Eddie Murphy just told Ellen Degeneres he's finally gotten over his beef with "Saturday Night Live" ... the show that helped launch him into superstardom 25 years ago.

During the interview, Ellen asked, "Is there something going on that you have not been back for a while on SNL? Will you go back and host?"

Eddie replied, "Not anymore. Now, I’m cool. I would go back if it was the right stuff, situation."

When Ellen asked why Eddie had issues with the show, he didn't come all the way clean ... but explained, "It was couple ... Over the years ... they did little s**tty stuff where I was like, hey, f*ck y’all. I’m not trippin. It was years ago. I don’t have any bad blood with that show. And that show is such a big part of my past. I love being part of it. Yeah, I wanna go back."

It's long been rumored that Eddie's problem with "SNL" started with a sketch on David Spade's Hollywood Minute segment ... when a picture of Eddie appeared on screen and David said, "Look children, a falling star ... quick, make a wish!"

**For those too young to get the reference, check out Eddie's old Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch (below) ... hilarious.

In the statement, which Morgan sent to several gay rights groups, the comic says, "I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville."

"While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context.

As TMZ previously reported, Morgan ignited a firestorm for the homophobic content in his act -- in which he said he would stab his son if he acted gay.

Back in Morgan's "Saturday Night Live" days, the actor starred in a sketch called" Homocil" -- in which he takes pills to "deal" with the fact that his son is gay.

During the sketch -- in which JT plays Wolfgang Mozart -- Timberlake jokes about his pursuit of an acting career, his lack of accolades for "The Social Network" and public fascination with Bieber.

When JT's posse threatens to start hanging out with Bieber in the sketch, Timberlake drops the line -- "Why don't you put a wig on a chipmunk and tell it to act like a Black man!"

Believe it or not, a source connected to the show tells us Gaga was very down to Earth from the second she arrived to the set to prep for the show.

We're told Gaga personally greeted everyone on the staff she worked with last year with a kiss ... hung out before and after rehearsals ... and even ate her lunch sitting on the floor while chatting up the crew.

We gotta ask ...

Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson were also on set -- sporting the kind of lingerie they wore back in the "Mother Lover" video back in 2009.

Timberlake and Andy Samberg were wearing their sunglasses and cheesy '90s suits in front of an apartment building in NYC ... along with an SNL film crew. Susan Sarandon was also on the set.

Sources close to Lindsay tell us ... she had considered Lorne a mentor and a father figure -- and felt betrayed that he would let Miley mock her on TV -- so LiLo sent an email to let him know she was upset.

In case you missed the show -- Miley finished her opening monologue with a musical number which included the lyric, "I never stole a necklace or got a DUI .. never cheated on wife like that golfer guy ... so what if you can see a little boob from the side ... I'm sorry if I'm not perfect."

No sign of Anderson Cooper.