A Night Out with Fred Armisen: NY Times

So, the NY Times has an article entitled A Night Out With Fred Armisen, in which we learn that Fred Armisen is dating none other than Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss whom you might remember, appeared in a sketch during the Jon Hamm show.
From the NY Times:

'I THOUGHT about trying to do something cool, like see a band,” said Fred Armisen, the “Saturday Night Live” comedian, on deciding what to do on a recent Monday night, as he walked out of the NBC studios in Rockefeller Plaza. “But then I thought we could just hang out with my girlfriend, Lizzie, after her show, and play Rock Band like I’d normally do.”
Lizzie” is the actress Elisabeth Moss, currently on Broadway in David Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow,” at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. That’s where Mr. Armisen likes to go after work to gather with the show’s cast and crew around an Xbox to play the video game Rock Band.'

Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/fashion/18nite.html?ref=fashion

Funny or Die short starring Hader, Wiig and Wiig's beau Petsos. I really enjoyed this short, but post a comment and let me know what you think.

HADER, PETSOS, and WIIG in The Key Fits by Kristen Wiig

Rosario Dawson SNL Promos

Here are the SNL promos for Rosario Dawson's show tonight. I don't have very high expectations for this show, but we'll see tonight I guess. Enjoy.

Video Recaps Full Episodes Webisodes

Fred Armisen on Conan.

There's the interview that Fred gave on Conan Thursday night. It's short, and sweet. so enjoy!

Video Recaps Full Episodes Webisodes

Neil Patrick Harris/Taylor Swift

Cold Open: 6.5/10 -Glad to see Abby Elliott get her moment to shine, and was also glad to see Rachel Maddow parodied. (I love Maddow, but it seemed time.) But unfortunately, she was given little to work with, and the result wasn't particularly funny.



Monologue: 9/10 - Best monologue of the season. My favourite part was with the guys in the audience heckling him, and Fred's ill-thought out joke. Priceless.



Today Show: 9/10 - My gosh, this was hilarious. From Kathie Lee's incessant facial ticks to NPH's trainer character. "Russian dance!" This was great, and Kristen needs to reprise KLG. Also, pleased to see Michaela Watkins to get a leading part. It seems her forte is jittery, neurotic characters.



Broadway Closing Meeting: 10/10 - I knew Broadway was an inevitable topic with NPH hosting, and the result was classic! My favourites were Bill Hader's Music Man & Abby Elliott being Kate Monster from Avenue Q. Also, best line:

"If Wicked closes, I'm not going to get another job."

"You could always go in Shrek: The Musical."

"Well, that's racist."





Penelope: 7/10 - This sketch is getting a little repetitive, and unfortunately I have to say I'm a little sick of it. The jokes are funny to those who haven't seen the sketch before, but to regular SNL viewers they're growing a little tiresome. What really redeemed this sketch for me was Liza Minelli and the tomato.



Digital Short (Doogie Howser Theme): 8.5/10 - I'm not old enough to remember Doogie Howser, but regardless I thought this was a lovely short. It may not have been hilarious, but it was definitely one of the better made of the digital shorts. I did crack up when NPH shed a single tear at the end.



Weekend Update: 9/10 - Good jokes, solid delivery, this was a good week for Seth, who I noticed still acknowledged Amy's absence. Kenan's Charles Barkley wasn't too great, but I enjoyed Will Forte's song. Highlight for me was definitely the Michael Jackson joke.



Two First Names: 8/10 - It may have been a thin concept, but I loved this sketch. From the Kangol commercial to NPH's dismissal of Daniel Day-Lewis to Jason Sudeikis' Philip Seymour Hoffman impression, it was great. Also, glad to see Abby & Michaela play significant parts in another sketch!


Air Traffic Control: 8/10 - This one reminded me of something you might see at an improv theatre. Pretty sparse concept, that was very character-driven. Some funny lines made it a lot of fun to watch. "Has anyone ever told you you look like an old Sharon Stone?"

Frost/Other People: 8/10 - I enjoyed this one. I'm a sucker for celebrity impressions, and I loved the diverse group of people in this one. However the highlight for me was Bill's David Bowie, and also Kenan's character and the impromptu little dance performed by Kenan and Jason at the end.

Whopper Virgins: 9/10 - Brilliant send-up of all the dumb fast food company commercials. Bobby Moynihan did great on this one also.

Overall:
Neil Patrick Harris was an above average host, who brought assuredness and precision, fantastic timing, and a multitude of talents. Really great host, and I can see him becoming a regular host. Not to gush over him too much, but he's really on par with the likes of Baldwin and Walken. Along with Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd, he's the best of the season so far.
Regarding the cast, I was pleased to see that everyone got equal equal screen-time (with the exception of Kristen.) I'm glad to see Lorne finally allow Michaela and Abby showcase their innate talents.
Favourite sketch: Curtains for Broadway.
Least favourite sketch: Cold Open.

8.5/10

Live From New York It's Saturday Night - With Your Host...Ro

Rosario Dawson!

Seven Pounds star Rosario Dawson will host SNL on Saturday 17th January, and will be joined by musical guest Fleet Foxes.

What do you think? Good guest host?

Come to the Cabaret!

The woman herself, Liza Minnelli will make a cameo appearance on tomorrow night's SNL, according to playbill.com.

As you all know Neil Patrick Harris, somewhat of a theatre star himself, will host tomorrow night.
Read for yourselves here:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125022.html
Liza!

THE LINE Live @ UCB Theatre NY

Okay, so if I had a transporting machine on Wednesday night, and I could go to only one place, then I would go to UCB Theatre in NY for The Line Live.

It's a Q & A and special viewing of The Line and who is going to be there other than effing Seth Meyers, Bill Hader and Simon Rich.
And it's only $5. And it's not even sold out!

Click here for more info:
http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/shows/1954

And if you are in the New York area, then it is your duty to go to this fantastic event.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/snl-promo-neil-patrick-harris/916281/

Click on the above link to check out Neil Patrick Harris' web promos for SNL with Will Forte.

Not Too Long To Wait for Amy Poehler's Show

I just read an interview with comedian Aziz Ansari, who stars with Amy in her upcoming show, and according to him, it shall debut in April.

Roll on April!

Ashford and Simpson to Release "Solid (As Barack)"

Do you remember the Obama Variety Half-Hour where the SNL crew sang classics like Don't You Forget About Me and Solid (As Barack)?

Well...:

Ashford & Simpson are turning SNL's "Solid As Barack" parody into a real-life single, in time for the inaugural celebration. The TV version of "Solid (As Barack)," a take-off on Ashford & Simpson's 1984 hit "Solid (As a Rock)," was performed by SNL cast members Fred Armisen and SNL alum Maya Rudolph.
The new Ashford & Simpson version, available as a digital download on Jan. 20, will have expanded lyrics for the complete song.

How fantastic!

Time Out Reviews 'Bride Wars'..

.. and they panned it.

As you may or may not know, Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as two best friends who turn into bridezillas when their wedding dates fall on the same day.
The film was co-written by Casey Wilson who got a mention in the Time Out article:
"Cowritten by Casey Wilson, a recent cast addition to SNL whose comedic gifts appear limited to performing, Bride Wars will leave you feeling pummeled by the time of sabotage by hair dye. "

Uh-oh spaggheti-o.

Amy Poehler played her final ASSSCAT as UCB on Sunday night.

From Time Out:
At the top of last night’s ASSSSCAT performance, Amy Poehler joked that she was superexcited about this year’s New Year’s slogan: “Two-thousand mine.” In fact, 2009 probably will belong to her.
The 9:30pm show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre was the comedian’s last before heading to L.A. to shoot her new NBC series, which will air later this year. (It’s now dubbed “The Untitled Amy Poehler Project”; creators Greg Daniels and Mike Schur finally got people to stop calling it “The Office spin-off.”)
As the last member of the original Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, she’ll be sorely missed at the long-running Sunday night improv shows (last night’s also featured 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer and John Lutz, former SNL player Horatio Sanz, and Conan writers Kevin Dorff and Brian Stack).
However, we have a feeling she’ll be back sporadically, and perhaps for longer, once shooting has wrapped for the season: Word on the street is that she much prefers New York.

http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/?p=8497

Congrats To The New Junior Minnesota Senator..

Al Franken!

He actually did it!

Kristen Wiig interview

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/kristen-wiig-interview

Click on the link above for yet another interview with Kristen Wiig.