Some shows at the upcoming Del Close Marathon that may be of interest to SNL fans/people who enjoy good things -

• UCB TourCo All-Stars - featuring Bobby Moynihan, Neil Casey, Jon Gabrus, Shannon O’Neill, Anthony King, Brandon Gardner, Fran Gillespie, more!
• The Midnight Show - featuring, among others, SNL writer Heather Anne Campbell.
• Challenger - An improv show which will see a bunch of Chicago improv veterans do their thing on the UCB stage. Featuring Paul Brittain.
• Revolver - One of iO Chicago’s top house teams perform the Harold. Featuring Vanessa Bayer.
• Ness and Nance - Two-woman improv show featuring Vanessa Bayer and Nancy Friedrich.

Exclusive clip from tomorrow's edition of "7 Minutes In Heaven" 

This one features Mike O’Brien and Patricia Clarkson getting hot and heavy in a closet.

Taran Killam appears on this week’s edition of Drew Droege’s “Glitter in the Garbage” podcast alongside former SNL writer Jillian Bell and Groundlings star Charlotte Newhouse. Do it!

Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy to host SNL

According to Bill Carter of the New York Times, Alec Baldwin will host the season premiere of Saturday Night Live while Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy will host the second episode. This will mark Baldwin’s record sixteenth hosting stint while McCarthy will be making her SNL debut and reuniting with her Bridesmaids co-star Kristen Wiig. No word on musical guests yet.

No Cast Members Leaving SNL This Season, Says Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels confirmed today that no cast members will leave SNL this season, according to TV critic Roger Catlin. Michaels was present at the Television Critics Association press tour promoting his new series Up All Night as well as 30 Rock, when he revealed the news. Michaels did add that he would still hold auditions in August for possible additions to the cast.

Ah, exciting news! Broadway Video and Sidestreet Entertainment Inc. have debuted a brand new web series fronted by SNL writer Mike O’Brien and directed by SNL writer Rob Klein. The series sees O’Brien chat to various guests in a closet and is rather aptly titled “Seven Minutes In Heaven”. Three episodes have been posted today featuring Kristen Wiig, Andy Cohen and Elijah Wood. Check out the Wiig edition above and visit the YouTube channel for more.

Ahhhh!

Saturday Night Live to return September 24th.

Save the date!

Seth Meyers appeared on last night's edition of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote his stint as host of tonight's ESPYs. Videos below and more info on the ESPYs here. The 2011 ESPYs air live tonight at 9PM ET.

Production To Begin on Kristen Wiig Feature "Imogene" in August

Anonymous Content and Maven Pictures have announced that production on the upcoming Kristen Wiig feature “Imogene” will begin this August in New York City. Wiig will star and produce the project, while Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini will direct the film, which is based off a script penned by up-and-coming screenwriter Michelle Morgan. This marks Wiig’s first film since the smash hit Bridesmaids was released earlier this summer.
Details on the dark comedy first emerged back in April when Berman and Pulcini gave an interview with The Playlist. The duo described the project as -

“a comedy about a woman who in a very funny kind of situation is living in New York City, and winds up having to be in the custody of her mother who she really doesn’t get along with, and her crazy family, living outside of Atlantic City in New Jersey, and all she wants to do is get back to New York City.”

Imogene is Maven’s first feature and Maven co-founders Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler has this say about the prospect of collaborating with Wiig, Berman, Pulcini and Morgan -

“We’re incredibly grateful to be working with Kristen, Shari, Bob and the extraordinary team on Imogene, Maven’s first feature project. Imogene has every element we were looking for: strong writing, remarkable directing talent, a movie star we believe in, a New York setting, and commercial appeal. This exemplifies all the key elements of our vision for Maven’s future slate.”

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Horrible Bosses grossed between $9 million and $10 million on Friday, putting it in line to gross in excess of $20 million and possibly north of $25 million this weekend. The comedy, starring Jason Sudeikis, will fall short of the $31,603,106 opening weekend achieved by Bad Teacher, but could surpass expectations and open in line with Bridesmaids’ $26,247,410. Either way, it’s another solid opening for an R-rated comedy.

Other R-rated comedies set to bow this summer include Friends With Benefits (July 22), The Change-Up (August 5) and 30 Minutes Or Less (August 12).

Have you seen Horrible Bosses? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Jason Sudeikis to guest-star in Eastbound & Down

Jason Sudeikis has reportedly landed a recurring role on the next season of Eastbound & Down. According to Variety, Sudeikis will play Shane, a friend of Danny McBride's character Kenny Powers. Jason Sudeikis has previously guest-starred on shows like 30 Rock, The Cleveland Show and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

The news comes just as Sudeikis' latest movie "Horrible Bosses" opens in theaters nationwide.

Andy Samberg joins Hotel Transylvania Voice Cast

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Andy Samberg will lend his vocal talents to the upcoming animated 3D family comedy, "Hotel Transylvania". Samberg joins a cast that includes the likes of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Fran Drescher, David Spade, Cee-Lo Green and Molly Shannon. 

According to the trade, "Sandler is voicing Dracula in the tale, which makes the Transylvanian count not only an owner of a “five-stake” resort away from the human world but also an overprotective dad trying to shield his teenaged daughter. This goes awry when a human stumbles upon the resort and falls for the girl."

Samberg will voice the role of "Jonathan, a 21-year-old regular guy, carefree and full of life, whose world travels land him at the Hotel."

Congratulations to Bridesmaids which became the highest-grossing female R-rated comedy this weekend, surpassing Sex And The City. Not only is the Kristen Wiig vehicle the highest-grossing Apatow venture, it is also the highest-grossing debut film from an SNL cast member. Bridesmaids' domestic gross now stands at $153,798,000.

Yay for everything.

Jason Sudeikis talks about his career and newfound status as a heartthrob with New York Magazine. It is a real good read, and you can check it out here.

Sudeikis can next be seen in Horrible Bosses, which hits theaters on Friday.

The Lonely Island - "We'll Kill U"

The Lonely Island has released a new video entitled, "We'll Kill U". It is super funny and features Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer as the guys previously seen in "We Like Sportz" and "Just 2 Guyz". Enjoy it with your eyes.