Jenny Slate Interview

Check out this great interview with SNL's new girl Jenny Slate -
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/09/vulture_interviews_new_saturda.html

From it we learn that -

1. Jenny Slate has a role in the upcoming series Bored To Death
2. Jenny Slate has a role in the upcoming series Brothers (but they are writing her character out thanks to her new gig at SNL.
3. Her favourite recent SNL sketch is the now infamous Will Forte/Peyton Manning dance sketch.

I gotta say the more I hear about Jenny Slate, the more I like her & am interested to see what she does at Saturday Night Live.

Bill Hader Q & A

Check it out here-

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58781

Bill Hader's new movie, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is released on Friday September 18.

First Four Hosts Announced

And they are as follows -

Megan Fox/U2
Ryan Reynolds/Lady Gaga
Drew Barrymore/Regina Spektor
Gerard Butler/Shakira


Okay so thoughts -

Ryan Reynolds and Gerard Butler are probably my two least favourite actors at the moment. BUT, I think Ryan Reynolds could do a really great job. Gerard Butler on the other hand - not so much. I love Drew Barrymore so I'm glad to see her return. I like the musical choices except for Shakira.

What do you think? Are you excited/disappointed for these first four shows?

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/09/10/megan-fox-hosting-snl-what-sketches-should-she-do/

Casey Wilson Fired Because of Her Weight?

So, I really hope that there's no truth to this story, but E!'s Ted Casablanca is reporting that according to sources, Casey was told to lose 30 pounds during the summer hiatus and when she didn't lose the weight - well, she was given the heave-ho.

If this is true, then I'm frankly kind of disturbed. Firstly, Casey Wilson was a curvy woman who was by no means fat & in need of losing 30 pounds. Secondly, even if she was fat, why should her TV career be put in jeopardy because of it? As the E! article states, SNL has embraced larger men like Chris Farley & John Belushi, and I'm sure they were never asked to drop a couple of pounds. Hell, I'm sure Kenan Thompson and Bobby Moynihan would never be put under that sort of pressure to lose weight.

As I've said, I have no idea how truthful this claim is, but if it is true then I have lost an enormous amount of respect for Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein & co.

http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/the_awful_truth/b143074_hey_saturday_night_live_sexist_much.html

Jenny Slate Short

I know lots of people are curious about SNL's new girls Jenny Slate & Nasim Pedrad.

Well, here's a short written by and starring Jenny Slate and her comedic other half Gabe Liedman. It's a short, silent film that was commissioned by the MoMA for Pop Rally's "SILENT BUT DEADLY - AN EVENING OF COMEDY SHORTS". It's really hilarious, and if it's an indication of what we can expect from Jenny, then I'm very excited to have her join SNL. Enjoy!

"Gabe & Jenny Are: Where's the Tickets?" from Gabe & Jenny on Vimeo.

Andy Samberg Q&A

Check out this Q& A in which Andy Samberg discusses his upcoming animated movie Cloudy with A Chance Of Meatballs, The Lonely Island, T-Pain & SNL.

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-9-8-q-a-andy-samberg-talks-twilight-fans-lonley-island-and-meatballs/?page=2

Fred Armisen to Present Creative Arts Emmy Award

Fred Armisen will be among the presenters at this year's Creative Arts Emmys (no, not the Primetime Emmys.) Armisen will be joined by the likes of Louis C.K, Carol Burnett, Ted Danson, Seth MacFarlane, Elaine Stritch and many more. The show will award 82 Emmys, including those for Outstanding Guest Actor/Actress in Comedy/Drama and Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special, for which SNL is nominated. The awards show itself will take this Saturday at the Nokia Theatre and those interested can catch the show on September 18 at 1 pm (ET/PT) on E!

Kristen Wiig Will NOT Be Weekend Update Anchor

EW's Michael Ausiello has once and for all shot down the rumour that Kristen Wiig is set to join Seth Meyers on the Weekend Update desk. A source from within the show insists that it is an internet-fuelled rumour and that there is no truth to it.


http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/09/08/kristin-wiig-not-moving-to-weekend-update/

Do you think that Seth should remain solo on the WU desk? Or is it time to partner up with someone?

Bill Hader on Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

Tune into the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien this Friday night where Bill Hader will appear as a guest, most likely promoting his new animated movie Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.

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?