Michaela Watkins Interview

EW's Michael Ausiello got an exclusive chat with Michaela Watkins so she could sound off on her thoughts on the firing, Lorne's reasoning & what she has planned for the future.
Check it out here -

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/09/04/exclusive-michaela-watkins-shocked-by-snl-firing/

Michaela Watkins & Casey Wilson Fired

The Comic's Comic is reporting that Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson will NOT be returning to SNL next season. I'm not really surprised at all about Casey - given the fact that she had a show scheduled at UCB two days before the season premiere, I think a lot of people saw it coming.
I cited Michaela as a possible fire-y, but I'll admit I'm a little surprised that she actually won't be returning. I feel like we didn't see all she could do, but she definitely showed all her talent and I think she, along with Casey, will have a great career.

Here's what Michaela had to say about the firing -

"I will say to you now, though, that I had a GREAT time there. Met some of the most truly talented and fantastic people, had the most exciting job and I honestly can say I don't have any regrets I can think of right now. Although it seems kinda crazy right now, this may shake out to make sense to everyone. Lorne isn't known for indulging in any lip-service and I feel very encouraged by his words last week. I'm working on something I'm very excited about now, so... the journey continues, and I feel so lucky I got to stop off at 30 Rock. It was awesome."

What do you think? Will you miss the ladies? Do you think that Michaela had a fair run at 30 Rock?

Darrell Hammond Coming Back?

When asked on 13WHAM News This Morning (this morning, incidentally) if he would be back for season 35, Darrell Hammond said that he is in negotiations to come back, adding that he expected to come back whenever they needed him (a la Chris Parnell/Tina Fey last season). Check out the short interview here -

http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=208934@wokr.dayport.com&navCatId=212

Do you think Darrell should return?

IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, WITH MUSICAL GUEST...

U2!

Yes, U2 will kick off the season and serve as musical guest on the night.

Bill Hader confirmed the story to Access Hollywood, while NBC said an official press release will be out next week. In case you guys forgot, Megan Fox will host.

Megan Fox & U2 - pretty starry line-up. Are you psyched for season 35 to kick off?

SNL Hires Christine Nangle as Writer

There's been a flurry of activity regarding SNL hirings and firings lately, the latest news being that SNL has hired UCB writer & performer Christine Nangle as a writer, making her the latest addition to the writing staff (after Michael Pat O'Brien, Ryan Perez & Hannibal Buress).

Check out some of her stuff on her blog -

http://thenang.blogspot.com/

FYI - she wrote & directed that hilarious sketch about the Miss USA/Perez Hilton debacle that starred SNL's Abby Elliott.
You can check it out here -

http://livefromnewyorkitssaturdaynightlive.blogspot.com/2009/06/funny-video-parodying-miss-usa-perez.html

SNL Hires Two New Females!

Yes, you read correctly! SNL has hired two MORE ladies to join the cast! That would put the guys & girls at about equal ratio (that is if Michaela & Casey stay - no official word on their returning has been announced yet).

So, who are the lucky ladies?

If you guessed Jenny Slate & Nasim Pedrad, then you are correct!

Now can I say that the two look like sisters.
Photographic proof -




Am I the only person who notices the similarity?
Jenny Slate is on the left & Nasim Pedrad is on the right.

So, a little background info on the girls -

Jenny Slate (27) is a Brooklyn comic and UCB alumni. She used to have her own weekly show at Rififi with her comedy partner Gabe Liedman and more recently hosted The Big Terrific showcase in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. You may know her from the Verizon commercial & avid watchers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will recognise her as Jimmy's assistant in the 7th Floor West bits.

Nasim Pedrad is based in LA and has worked with UCB, Groundlings & Improv Olympic. Recently, she was a member of the Sunday company of The Groundlings. ER fans may recognise her as Nurse Suri who she played in several episodes.

What do you think of these latest hires? Are you glad to see that SNL is hiring more ladies?

Andy Samberg was among the stars that showed up for the opening ceremony of well, Opening Ceremony, a cutting-edge fashion boutique located in Tokyo. The brainchild of Humberto Leon and Carol Lim attracted the likes of the Olsen Twins, Kirsten Dunst, and Jason Schwartzman. Pics of Andy Samberg with girlfriend Joanna Newsom and buddy Jason Schwartzman follow -



Andy Samberg and Jason Schwartzman.




Andy Samberg and girlfriend Joanna Newsom (whose outfit I heart!)

Pics from MacGruber

Here are the first pictures from the movie incarnation fo MacGruber featuring Will Forte & Kristen Wiig.



All you Ryan Phillipe fans can check out more pics here -

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/09/01/ryan-phillippe-shoots-macgruber-movie/

Fred Armisen To Appear in Parks & Recreation

via Aziz Ansari-

Fred Armisen is doing his episode of Parks and Rec this week and killing it!


Armisen will play Leslie Knope's counterpart from Pawnee's sister city. The twist if he's from Venezuela where the parks department is a whole different ball game.

“Leslie arranges for [Armisen and his colleagues] to come for a visit, but they’re from a city in Venezuela,” explains executive producer Michael Schur. “They’re very confused because in Venezuela the government is so powerful; their parks department travels with military escorts and motorcades and stuff. They have all the money in the world because of their oil and they [don't understand] why Pawnee’s parks department is so rinky-dink.”

LOVE IT!