snl-related stories
Al Franken IS Mick Jagger, in this clip from ... Solid Gold!
Well, they finally settled that Norm Coleman vs. Al Franken race in Minnesota. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to show Franken in another time, impersonating Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger on Solid Gold in the 80s. Partner Tom Davis is doing Keith Richards. I wonder if Franken would have won if Coleman had just run this video on a continuous loop on his web site for a year.
Suddenly I think I weigh more than Horatio Sanz
I turned on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night and noticed this in-shape, leading-man guy being interviewed and I couldn't figure out who it was. It was Horatio Sanz, Fallon's former cohort on SNL. He's lost 100 pounds, grown a beard, and dresses a lot better, and he doesn't look anything like his old self. He and Fallon showed one of their "we can't stop laughing" sketches from SNL. It's not the Debbie Downer sketch we all remember, but it's worth seeing again.
Melanie Hutsell is alive, and she's impersonating Paula Deen
Once upon a time, Melanie Hutsell was on top of the world. And by "on top of the world," we mean she was on Saturday Night Live, doing characters whose signature dialogue quietly seeped into the mainstream conscious and were applauded on arrival by the studio audience. And then she vanished, only to become the butt of many a joke among SNL aficionados.But we found her via
Continue reading Melanie Hutsell is alive, and she's impersonating Paula Deen
Will Forte talks about the MacGruber movie
Will Forte is hilarious. Last night, he stole the show from Jimmy Fallon on Late Night, which admittedly doesn't seem very hard to do, with non-stop jokes and a mini rock opera. He might not be the most popular comedic actor on Saturday Night Live, but he's definitely one of the funniest. That's one of the reasons I'm looking forward to his MacGruber movie.Yup, a MacGruber movie. Forte told Fallon about a script he wrote for a feature film based on the SNL sketch. "John Solomon, Jorma Taccone, and I just finished writing it. We're gonna make it in Albuquerque. It's me and Kristen Wiig and cast to be determined," he said. Video after the jump.
Continue reading Will Forte talks about the MacGruber movie
Don Pardo says "It's Saturday Night Live" for the last time
Fox may have lost Mad TV last Saturday, but Saturday Night Live lost something worth much, much more to the world of television than Mad TV. And no, I don't mean that the SNL writing staff lost their snack machine. Announcer Don Pardo, 91, announced in his induction speech to the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame that last Saturday's show will be his last.
Pardo has been the voice of the show since it hit the airwaves in 1975, minus the 7th season in '81 and '82. He has also been an announcer in a number of game shows, movies, commercials and news shows, and holds the distinction of being the first person on television to announce the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Continue reading Don Pardo says "It's Saturday Night Live" for the last time
Saturday Night Live: Will Ferell/Green Day (season finale)
(S34E23) Wow. Way to go, Will Ferrell. Maybe they should just bring back Saturday Night Live alumni for season finales from now on, because this episode was spectacular. Ferrell brought back some old favorites and a slew of famous faces, from the familiar to the inexplicable, including Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway and Artie Lange. Here are some video highlights from the evening (Hulu vids are US only. Sorry, kids... you can also watch these videos at NBC's website).
Continue reading Saturday Night Live: Will Ferell/Green Day (season finale)
SNL's Casey Wilson braves the Internet to read about herself
Those that have even half-paid attention to my Saturday Night Live posts know that I am not a huge fan of featured player Casey Wilson. In fact, I would go so far as to say I actually kind of dislike her on the show. I feel a great deal of familiarity when I watch her on SNL, because she acts the way I probably would if I ever made it onto the program. Due to my intense, psychologically and emotionally crippling levels of self-loathing, this makes Wilson extra-painful for me to watch. Oh, those poorly timed glances at the camera, they are Casey Wilson's as much as they are mine.
Continue reading SNL's Casey Wilson braves the Internet to read about herself
Justin Timberlake heard you wanted "Motherlover" uncensored
Oh, Justin Timberlake. You know what your audience wants and you give it to them ... uncensored-style. Hot.
In the latest episode of Saturday Night Live, Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg gave everyone and their mom a real treat in the form of the "Motherlover" Digital Short. The video was quickly uploaded onto NBC.com and promptly exploded all over the Internet in a mildly graphic and suggestive way. It was from the actual live airing, though, so audience laughter, bleeped words, and less-than-superb sound quality were inevitable.
Continue reading Justin Timberlake heard you wanted "Motherlover" uncensored
Saturday Night Live: Justin Timberlake/Ciara
(S34E22) Justin Timberlake returned for his third turn as host and it was tough not to keep expectations pretty high. I mean, if an vengeful warlock were to suddenly put a crippling curse on his music career (like they do), Timberlake could definitely fall back on being a professional SNL host. Yes, this would become a real profession, just for him.
As usual, some sketches fell a bit flat, but Timberlake's over-confident, hammy swagger made things a little more interesting. This particular episode also gave us another legendary musical Digital Short with Timberlake and Andy Samberg and a couple of all-around MILFs. It's tough to top a surprise appearance by Leonard effin' Nimoy, but "Motherlover" was certainly the highlight of the evening. Here are some other notable video moments!
Continue reading Saturday Night Live: Justin Timberlake/Ciara
SNL to broadcast short films special
Do you remember the short films that SNL broadcast through the years? It started, I think, with Mr. Bill during the Not Ready For Prime-Time Players era and currently involves the Lonely Island songs. This could explain why SNL has chosen Lonely Island and SNL member Andy Samberg to host a special broadcast of the SNL short films on May 17 at 9PM.I'm not sure which short is my favorite. There was an old one involving children's addiction to arcade video games and a doctor would use shock therapy via a Ms. Pac Man joystick to keep kids away from them. Eddie Murphy's "White Like Me" sketch is a classic. But I was laughing just as hard at the concept of Natalie Portman as a gangster rapper. Sadly, I wasn't as impressed by "Lazy Sunday" as apparently the rest of the Internet community.
So which SNL short film was your favorite?
Why isn't Jan Hooks famous?
Radner. Louis-Dreyfus. Poehler. Fey. Shannon.
Suffice it to say, the number of women who became famous on Saturday Night Live before graduating to solo success is few and far between. Sure, Gilda Radner can be considered a pioneer in the art of sketch comedy. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus undoubtedly honed her comedic skills before becoming a sitcom icon on Seinfeld. And, yes, Tina Fey can easily be considered a heroine to comedy nerds everywhere who have witnessed her climb from Weekend Update anchor to Mean Girls scribe to single-handedly decimating the vice presidential chances of one certain gun-wieldin', six-pack-totin' Alaskan governor.
But, sadly, the number of men who left Studio 8 for the superstardom of Planet Hollywood (not the theme restaurant) easily outnumbers the ladies. For every Amy Poehler, there's a Will Ferrell. And a Bill Murray. And a Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler (although, to be fair, there's also aDavid Gary Kroeger, A. Whitney Brown, and Charles Rocket for every Melanie Hutsell, too). (And for the record, no, you shouldn't recognize those names.)
Suffice it to say, the number of women who became famous on Saturday Night Live before graduating to solo success is few and far between. Sure, Gilda Radner can be considered a pioneer in the art of sketch comedy. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus undoubtedly honed her comedic skills before becoming a sitcom icon on Seinfeld. And, yes, Tina Fey can easily be considered a heroine to comedy nerds everywhere who have witnessed her climb from Weekend Update anchor to Mean Girls scribe to single-handedly decimating the vice presidential chances of one certain gun-wieldin', six-pack-totin' Alaskan governor. But, sadly, the number of men who left Studio 8 for the superstardom of Planet Hollywood (not the theme restaurant) easily outnumbers the ladies. For every Amy Poehler, there's a Will Ferrell. And a Bill Murray. And a Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler (although, to be fair, there's also a
Continue reading Why isn't Jan Hooks famous?
NBC thought you said you wanted more Weekend Update
It looks like NBC is going to expand Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" segment with more half-hour specials, most likely on Thursday nights. Judging by the success of SNL and its Thursday night election specials during the campaign season, this move isn't too surprising. Plus, this is a progressive step in reaching the network's ultimate goal, which seems to be filling the airwaves with as many former SNL employees as possible. Actually, the next season of Celebrity Apprentice is probably just going to be all the early-90s players that aren't doing movies right now. And Rob Schneider. That guy isn't doing anything.
Continue reading NBC thought you said you wanted more Weekend Update
NBC announces four new dramas, two new comedies to fall lineup
There weren't a lot of surprises at NBC's "In Front" presentation this morning. As already leaked, Parks & Recreation, Heroes, and Southland have been renewed, joining the already announced 30 Rock, The Office, The Celebrity Apprentice, Friday Night Lights, The Biggest Loser and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. There's still no word on Law & Order's bid for a 20th season, nor did they clarify the fate of Chuck, though insiders feel confident both will be back. Back on the bubble is Medium, which was leaked as renewed last night, along with My Name Is Earl. Their fates are a bit more murky, especially Earl considering NBC is giving Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" a prime-time berth, apparently launching NBC's Thursday night.
Continue reading NBC announces four new dramas, two new comedies to fall lineup
What You Missed Last Night: Seth Meyers says he's better than Amy Poehler's baby
Saturday Night Live head writer/Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers stopped by Jimmy Fallon's show last night and explains why he thinks that he's smarter than Amy Poehler's new baby. Fallon also shows a clip of an SNL rehearsal. The joke doesn't go over too well, but I think it's actually pretty damn clever.
Right now on Cinematical
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- Before he hosted SNL last week, I had never seen Zac Efron actually act. In fact, I don't think I've even heard him speak. However, I kind of want to see 17 Again, and I don't know how I feel about that. Cinematical's review helped me decide though.
- I haven't heard of any of the movies on this list, so when Cinematical asks the question, "Are these Summer movies guaranteed to bomb," I'm inclined to say yes.
- Look, you know you're going to find yourself in the theater watching Crank: High Voltage, because you simply cannot resist Jason Statham. At least get an idea as to what you're in for.
- If watching Crank: High Voltage still isn't enough for you, perhaps you can be sated with Cinematical Seven: Adrenaline-Fueled Movies.
Seven greatest hand cannons in TV history
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