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!

This Weekend on SNL

Tune in this weekend to catch a repeat of Ben Affleck/David Cook.

Ben Affleck/David Cook
Saturday August 29 11.30/10.30c

New Fred's Blog

Yes, Fred's Blog on the NBC website has FINALLY been updated! The latest entry is a look-back on the Hugh Laurie episode complete behind-the-scenes photos of him & the cast at various stages during show week. Enjoy!


http://blog.nbc.com/fred/

Happy Birthday John Mulaney!

Happy birthday to SNL writer/high-larious comedian John Mulaney!
Have a good 'un!

By the way, doesn't that picture of him look like a promotional shot from Rebel Without A Cause?

Hannibal Burress Article

Read how comedian Hannibal Burress got his new gig as SNL writer here -

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0826-snl-new-writeraug26,0,4081957.story

It's the stuff of movies!


*not really

MTV's SNL Host Dreamlist

Obviously taking a cue from my blog, MTV has compiled a list of people they'd like to see host Saturday Night Live next season. The shortlist of five includes -

1. Robert Pattinson
2. Sam Worthington
3. Leighton Meester
4. Ashlee Simpson -Wentz
5. Chris Pine

Note to Lorne Michaels - do not heed MTV's advice. I do not want to see SNL turn Twilight/Gossip Girl/Melrose Place remake friendly next season.

Are you as appalled by MTV's shortlist as I am? Don't all of those suggestions kinda suck with the exception of Chris Pine?

Who Would You Like To See Host SNL This Season?

With the announcement that Transformers 2 star Megan Fox will host the season premiere of SNL, I'm wondering who would you like to see host SNL this season?

Some stars that I would be pleased to see host include -

• Michael Cera
• Zachary Quinto
• Kristen Bell
• Jack McBrayer
• Zooey Deschanel
• Jason Schwartzman
• John Mayer
• Jane Lynch
• Elizabeth Banks
• Jason Segel
• Justin Long
• Ricky Gervais

Leave a comment and say what star you would like to see host next season!

Abby Elliott Spoofs Gwyneth Paltrow's Cooking Lesson Vid

Check out this high-larious spoof of Gwyneth Paltrow's thoroughly unnecessary video on how to cook chicken, done by SNL's very own wunderkind Abby Elliott.


http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f33f8c23ec/gwyneth-paltrow-makes-chicken-goop-com-with-abby-elliott

Enjoy!

New York Superheroes

SNL writer Simon Rich & Farley Katz have conjured up a brand new band of superheroes - New York Superheroes. Among its members are Book Club Leader, Paul Giamatti, Miss Teach for America and many more!

The good news? You can purchase your very own New York Superheroes card deck. The cards are complete with illustrations, power ratings and superhero descriptions. You can get all that for just $30.
$30 may seem a little pricey but bare in mind that the card decks are a limited edition of just 180 (until New York Superheroes take over the world and they are the only trading cards available).

Check out Simon & Farley's blog for more info -

http://newyorksuperheroes.com/