Friday, December 31, 2010

Was Will Forte valuable to SNL?



When people say that something isn't quite right about this season of Saturday Night Live, whether or not they know it, they're saying that they miss Will Forte.

While it's true that Forte was far from the only member of the cast and writing staff to leave SNL over the summer, his departure left a void that the show has yet to fill several episodes into its 36th season...

But in his last few years on SNL, Forte provided a necessary counterbalance to almost every live episode by bringing that one element that SNL always has needed: the wildcard...

Forte was more the "weird and crazy" type. The guy whom you could count on to prove why late-night TV is different from primetime TV. The guy who brought a sense of danger, although based in just enough silliness as to not be scary...



MacGruber was always good for a laugh... because in those short sketches on SNL, there was just enough time for Forte to say something highly inappropriate before the explosion.



Forte also could be equally creepy as Hamilton, the guy who showed up to woo celebrities, or as a pedophile using Halloween as a cover for trick-or-treating. He could be just as equally weird as Sen. Tim Calhoun, a masked man getting pummeled by things as the "Closet Organizer," an office worker shouting "Fart Face!", singing about Model-T cars and spaceships with Wiig, or a NASA scientist arguing over a potato chip with Jason Sudeikis.



Click here for more videos and commentary:
http://www.thecomicscomic.com/2010/12/appreciating-will-forte-snls-missing-ingredient.html

=============

I think all that is true, but I always laughed more at Jason Sudeikis when Will and Jason teamed up, and Will mostly just played an everyday man in his skits. However, Will's Weekend Update songs, MacGruber, his dancing coach skits, the Chips skit above, him playing a bad guy in an old Drew Barrymore monologue, and him playing a young Jack Black at a spelling bee all made me laugh out loud. But more often than not I didn't find him funny.

However, Jason's definitely going to need to team up with others more (or do more original, single characters) to fill the void of Will's absence.

What do you think?

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Lonely Island's Rokk Vodka Facebook tab

You can check out TLI's video on their Facebook tab here:

http://www.facebook.com/rokkvodka#!/rokkvodka?v=app_163436330356344

The video on YT claims that there are more videos there, but there aren't. Well, actually I think it wants you to Like their page before they'll make more videos. Something like that...

"Like" Rökk on http://www.facebook.com/rokkvodka for more NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE videos from The Lonely Island for Rökk Vodka. Rökk Vodka is proud to announce our new creative directors - The Lonely Island: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. Boo-ya!

And here's the video again...



Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I Just Had Sex parody - I Walked Up Stairs

The Lonely Island - I Just Had Sex (feat. Akon) PARODY / SPOOF



What's amazing is that they made this the day after the original song was released! Wow.

Update: "I Just Had Sex" is up to 21.2 million views on YouTube already! This makes it the #4 Lonely Island video (beating Bing Bong Brothers, We Like Sportz, Boom Box, and Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions).

I predict that it will also beat Like a Boss (40.3 million views) and I'm On a Boat (49.6 million), but that it will stop short of Ji*z in My Pants (94.1 million).

Enjoy? =^)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Lighten UP!!! (blog update)

Let's try lightening this blog up. This blog is now lighter in colors, the sections are separated, we got some shadows, and the sections are wider so that we can post wider videos and images.

Is this a good change?

Thanks!

Will Jason Sudeikis be the first breakout SNL star?

The last breakout SNL star was Amy Poehler, and she went on to a TV show. She hasn't been successful in films yet, but she costarred in Baby Mamma, and her show will give her more opportunities.

So Andy had an opportunity with Hot Rod in 2007, but that didn't do so well. And then Will Forte has had shots with Brothers Solomon and MacGruber. Those didn't do very well either.

Now it's Jason Sudeikis' turn for a shot with Hall Pass.



Release Date: 25 February 2011
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Alyssa Milano, Owen Wilson, Christina Applegate, Richard Jenkins, Vanessa Angel
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Writer: Pete Jones, Peter Farrelly
MPAA: R
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Plot:
A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well.

So do you think this is going to break him out? I think he's got a really good shot here with Owen Wilson backing him up.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Andy Samberg rates #2 in the Robert De Niro SNL episode



2. Andy Samberg (Last Week: 12)
Right behind Hader was his partner in the “Mr. Bernard” sketch, who also had his own recurring sketch, “Blizzard Man,” get some prime real estate. Not to mention that Samberg was the saving grace of “Update” as a hanging-upside-down actor from Broadway’s Spider-Man. And he also slept with a guy that looked like Gandalf for a drink.

Click here to see how all 14 players stacked:
http://www.movieline.com/2010/12/who-scored-big-in-week-eight-of-snls-not-ready-for-prime-time-player-relevancy-poll.php

Enjoy!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Featured Player Update - Nasim's Kim Kardashian, Vanessa's Miley Cyrus, and Jay's principal

First, three weeks ago, Nasim brought back her popular Kim Kardashian...

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe stop by to talk about some of the products they endorse.

Seth Meyers
Vanessa Bayer ... Kourtney Kardashian
Abby Elliott ... Khloé Kardashian
Nasim Pedrad ... Kim Kardashian



"Yeah, they were skittles."

That one got me the best. Nasim had the best jokes here; obviously she put this together.

Since this is Nasim's second season as a featured player, she's most likely going to be promoted to repertory player next year (following a similar path of two years as a featured player that Abby and Bobby took--also done by Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, and Jason Sudeikis).

Nasim of course followed this skit up last week with a similar one. It's a good idea, since not only is it funny, but it also makes good use of her co-talent, and that's pretty easy to sell to the writers and producers.

A Holiday Message from The Kardashians

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe are wishing everyone happy holidays and share what they're thankful for.



The Christmas/Hanukkah/Quanza joke was hilarious! For those who don't know, the Kardashians like them some black men. =^)

================

Sketch - Holiday Jam

Paul Rudd ... Mr. Griggs
Jay Pharoah ... Daniel Frey
Kenan Thompson ... Steve Kane

A school's "Holiday Jam" is riddled with announcements from the very breathy principal.



Next, two weeks ago, Jay brought us his first character to lead a skit. Kenan also had a nice interruption, but the crowd basically wanted to applaud after Jay's first interruption. So that's quite an accomplishment.

I think this character is very interesting, but he's not exactly going to cause much buzz. But kudos go to Jay for not relying only on his amazing impressions!

This was also Jay's only appearance that week. I like Jay's plan. He just tries to get a starring role in every other week (at the least) and then fills in when needed. That will keep him in the audience's mind as the season progresses. It will probably also get him promoted to repertory player next year.

Speaking of Jay, Denzel Washington praises him here...



This kind of publicity further helps Jay's chances of getting promoted for next season.

====================

Taran Killam led his first skit with a Brad Pitt impression on Weekend Update.

Brad Pitt talks about the recent cold weather blasting the Midwest.

Taran Killam ... Brad Pitt
Abby Elliott ... Angelina Jolie



Hmmm. Taran's mannerisms remind me of Brad, but what and how he says it just doesn't have the sting of other impressions. I think the audience would have preferred to see Abby rock her Angelina Jolie in a full skit instead. Sorry Taran, but this isn't as great as your Pee Wee Herman. You should have done Pee Wee as a weatherman. =^)

Taran's first Brad impression. Also portrayed by David Spade once. This is Abby's fourth appearance as Angelina Jolie, all four on Weekend Update. Molly Shannon also did Angelina twice and Kelly Ripa did her once, but Abby owns this impression. I don't see Taran's Brad Pitt achieving the same popularity.

There's a good chance that Taran won't return to SNL next season (at this current rate).

==================

The normal route is to be a featured player for two years. Cast members to pull off this trick (to go to repertory player after only one year as a featured player) were Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig (in 2006), Will Forte (2003), Amy Poehler (2002), Tina Fey (2001), Chris Parnell, Jimmy Fallon, and Horatio Sanz (1999), Chris Kattan (1996), Molly Shannon (1995), Norm MacDonald (1994), Chris Farley, Julia Sweeney, and Chris Rock (1991), Mike Meyers (1989), Kevin Nealon (1987).

Those unlucky enough to go three years as a featured player (I'm listing their year they graduated to repertory player) include Jay Mohr (1996; Jay was actually kept on the show as a featured player a third year, but he quit when learning that he wasn't graduating to repertory player), Tim Meadows, David Spade, and Adam Sandler (1993).

Cast members to have no years as a featured player (went right to repertory player) include Ana Gasteyer and Tracy Morgan (1996), Darrell Hammond, Cheri Oteri, Jim Breuer, and Will Ferrell (1995), Mark McKinney (he was in Kids in the Hall; 1994), Chris Elliott and Janeane Garofalo (1994), Michael McKean (1993), Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, Victoria Jackson, and Phil Hartman (1986), Nora Dunn, Jon Lovitz, and Dennis Miller (1985). (I won't go earlier than 1985 because that's when featured players were more likely just writers that Lorne put on camera a lot, and they were never meant to become repertory players.)

And that brings us back around to the list of who's doing the best of the current featured players. My overall list remains unchanged...

(1) Nasim Pedrad
(2) Jay Pharoah
(3) Vanessa Bayer
(4) Paul Brittain
(5) Taran Killam

It's looking that Nasim and Jay will graduate to repertory players next season, Vanessa will get a second season as a featured player, and Paul and Taran might get the axe. (Paul and Taran need to step it up!) The only reason why I give Paul the edge over Taran is that Paul has already said "Live from New York," he's filling important impressions (though not funny yet), and he has had one original character (Sex Ed). That's more than what Taran has done so far (although Taran did his Brad Pitt on SNL and his PeeWee Herman is hilarious).

Taran's only skit last week was a hilarious gay character's line in Meryl Streep on Ice (an otherwise dull commercial). Other than a hilarious bit as Pee Wee Herman in a Back to the Future DVD bit, Taran hasn't really even shown why he's on SNL. I know why he's on the show (his characters and impressions are great). However, he doesn't seem to be fighting to get his best impressions and characters out there the way that Jay Pharoah and Vanessa Bayer are (and the only thing that Vanessa has done well is Miley Cyrus).

So here's how the featured players stacked up lately, per episode...

November 13, 2010 (Scarlett Johansson):
1. Jay Pharoah does his second Denzel Washington in the Unstoppable trailer, and he does perfect impressions of Nick Cannon and Kanye West.
2. Vanessa Bayer does her Candace character on Millionaire Matchmaker, she does Laura Parsons the child star, and she does the senior cruise ship woman on Weekend Update.
3. Nasim Pedrad reprised her Japanese translator.
4. Taran Killam does Chris Pine in Unstoppable.
5. Paul Brittain does two supporting roles.

November 20, 2010 (Anne Hathaway)
1. Vanessa Bayer does Miley Cyrus and a small role.
2. Jay Pharoah does his Thanksgiving raps on Weekend Update.
3. Taran Killam does Tin Man and two small roles.
4. Nasim Pedrad does four small roles.
5. Paul Brittain does two supporting roles.

December 4, 2010 (Robert DeNiro)
1. Nasim Pedrad does Kim Kardashian on Weekend Update, Keith's mom Denise on Little Fockers, and four small roles. See the Kim Kardashian video above.
2. Vanessa Bayer does Kourtney Kardashian on Weekend Update, an unimpressive Hilary Clinton (it's hard to beat Amy Poehler), and two small roles.
3. Jay Pharoah does a non-speaking impression of Charles Latibeaudiere and one small role.
4. Taran Killam gets shot in a deer costume and does three other small roles.
5. Paul Brittain does five supporting roles.

December 11, 2010 (Paul Rudd)
1. Jay Pharoah does only the Principal Daniel Frey character (see that video above). His first original character to lead a skit, and the audience loves it!
2. Vanessa Bayer does the girlfriend Amanda in The Vogelchecks, Carolyn on What's That Name, and three small roles.
3. Nasim Pedrad does four small roles.
4. Paul Brittain does four supporting roles.
5. Taran Killam plays a funny gay man supporting in one role.

December 18, 2010 (Jeff Bridges)
1. Vanessa Bayer nails the Miley Cyrus show an amazing third time this season (three times in the first half of her first season on SNL?), supports Fred's Obama with her Hilary Clinton, supports Nasim's Kim Kardashian with her Kourtney Kardashian, and she helps open the Old West gift wrap sketch.
2. Nasim Pedrad brings us her most popular impression yet again, Kim Kardashian. She also gives us Lil Blaster again and another supporting role (Zuzu in Wonderful Life).
3. Taran Killam plays Brad Pitt on Weekend Update. I think the audience mostly gave courtesy laughs here. Taran also supports in two small roles.
4. Jay Pharoah does only MC George Castanza on Crunkmas Karnival.
5. Paul Brittain does three supporting roles.



Nasim might slip behind Jay in the overall ranking pretty soon here. In the last four weeks, her most memorable contribution was bringing back her Kim Kardashian impression twice that she did last year. Meanwhile, Jay gave us Denzel, raps, Kanye, and his principal Daniel Frey. Even Vanessa has shown more effort with Miley Cyrus, her hopeless online dater Candace, her child star Laura, Kourtney Kardashian, and Hilary Clinton. The only thing that's keeping Nasim higher is another year's worth of characters and impressions. So that will keep her higher than Vanessa on the overall list, but Jay's catching up!

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Rokk Vodka - Behind the scenes

Go behind the scenes with Rokk Vodka's creative directors -The Lonely Island at their latest video shoot for Rokk Vodka. See the viking! See the beautiful woman! Meet Chester! The Lonely Island are Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. Rokk Vodka is the new freeze-filtered vodka imported from Sweden.



Chester's back! Thanks to Anony and Steph G. for the scoop!

And Merry Christmas from the Andy Samberg blog and all of us at The Animation Empire!

Enjoy!

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Jack Johnson and Andy Samberg music video "At or With Me" makes VH1's Top 40 videos of the year

Long title today. =^)

We already posted this vid, but here it is again:



Here are Ashley's words:

"the Jack Johnson/TLI music video made the Top 40 Videos of the Year countdown on VH1. It's #37."

37 Jack Johnson “At Or With Me”

Check it out here:

http://www.emusicality.com/2010/12/vh1-top-40-videos-2010.html

Scoop's from Ashley. Check out her Sincere Scribbles here: http://ashute.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Andy Samberg is Moishe Samberg (It's a Wonderful Life, SNL)

Show - This You Call A Wonderful Life?!

Jeff Bridges ... rabbi
Fred Armisen ... guest
Vanessa Bayer ... guest
Paul Brittain ... guest
Abby Elliott ... Donna Reed, Mary Hatch
Bill Hader ... Ben Mankiewicz
Steve Higgins ... announcer (voice)
Taran Killam ... guest
Bobby Moynihan ... guest
Michael Patrick O'Brien ... guest
Nasim Pedrad ... Zuzu
Andy Samberg ... Moishe Samberg
Jason Sudeikis ... Jimmy Stewart, George Bailey
Kristen Wiig ... guest

You probably didn't know 'It's A Wonderful Life' was originally created as a Chanukah film.



Not overly funny, but it's appropriate in a Christmas episode, I suppose.

This is Andy's second appearance as Moishe Samberg. The first was on 05.09.2009. This factoid is actually more amusing to me than the skit itself (although the first skit was hilarious). So they purposefully put Moishe Samberg in the credits of this skit playing himself. Then they made him older, figuring if the original Moishe immigrant came to the United States and got old, then he'd be the appropriate age to star in this film. What a nice hidden Easter Egg for Christmas! =^)

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Andy Samberg is Rahm Emanuel in the Christmas Eve SNL Cold Open

Cold Opening - Christmas Eve in Washington D.C.

Fred Armisen ... Barack Obama
Vanessa Bayer ... Hillary Clinton
Steve Higgins ... announcer (voice)
Andy Samberg ... Rahm Emanuel
Jason Sudeikis ... Joseph Biden
Kenan Thompson ... Frosty The Snowman
Kristen Wiig ... Nancy Pelosi

The Christmas season has democrats dreaming of much merrier headlines in 2011



Andy Samberg reprises his Rahm Emanuel! This is Andy's fifth appearance as Rahm, and Andy's the only SNL player to do Rahm.

What did you think?

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Andy Samberg is Billy Bob Thornton in Jeff'd (SNL)

Show - Jeff'd
Jeff Bridges
Paul Brittain ... Stevie
Abby Elliott ... Maggie Gyllenhaal
Taran Killam ... clerk
Andy Samberg ... Billy Bob Thornton
Jason Sudeikis ... Sam Elliott
Kenan Thompson ... Forest Whitaker
Kristen Wiig ... announcer (voice)



Hahahaha. This is actually very funny. The joke of course is how lame the pranks are and how kind Jeff is, even in his pranking.

"I'm just kidding. You got Billy-Bobbed!" Hahahahaha. Classic Andy.

Andy does a great Billy Bob. This is Andy's third Billy Bob impression on SNL:
01.10.2009
10.10.2009
12.18.2010

Once a season for three years now. My favorite was in Celebrity Ghost Stories. Here's a pic:



I think Andy could lead a skit or a solid Weekend Update appearance with his Billy Bob impression. Make it happen!

This is the first Maggie Gyllenhaal impression on SNL. It's Jason's second Sam Elliott impression, and Dan Aykroyd also did Sam Elliott once (05.17.2003) and an arguably better job. This is SNL's first Forest Whitaker impression.

Did you like this skit?

Enjoy!

"I Just Had Sex" Lyrics (The Lonely Island)

Here are the lyrics originally written by Adam Rap. Refinement pass by us. Leave a comment if you have any more refinements! Thanks to Anony for submitting the two new corrections we made(see the comments).

- TAE

An SNL Digital Short: I Just Had Sex

.....Andy Samberg
.....Jorma Taccone
.....Akiva Schaffer
.....Akon
.....Blake Lively
.....Jessica alba
.....John McEnroe


[Exterior: Opens to Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akon standing on a platform with New York City in the background]

(singing)

Andy Samberg: Sometimes, something beautiful happens in this world...

Akon: Akon!

Andy Samberg: And you don't know how to express yourself, so...

Akon: And Lonely Island!

Andy Samberg: You just gotta sing.

Akon: I just had sex
and it felt so good.
A woman let me put my pen*s inside of her.
I just had sex
and I'll never go back
to the not-having-sex ways of the past.

Andy Samberg: Have you ever had sex?
I have; it felt great.
It felt so good when I did it with my pen*s.
A girl let me do it.
It literally just happened.

[Shows Blake Lively covering up after sex with Andy Samberg]

Andy Samberg: Having sex can make a nice man of the meanest.

[Cuts to "before" and "after" sex pictures of John McEnroe]

Jorma Taccone: Guess where I just came from.
I had sex.
If I had to describe the feeling,
it was the best!

[Jorma gives a thumbs up as Jessica Alba gives a thumbs down]

Jorma Taccone: When I had the sex,
man my pen*s felt great,
and I called my parents right after I was done.

[Shows Jorma hugging his parents]

[Samberg comes out of a restroom]

Andy Samberg: Oh hey, didn't see you there.
Guess what I just did.
Had sex... undressed,
saw her bo*bies and the rest.

[Samberg does hand motions of squeezing bo*bies while Blake gives him a look of disgust and disbelief]

Jorma Taccone: Was sure... nice of her...
to let you do that thing.

Andy Samberg: Nice of any girl ever.

Jorma Taccone: Now sing.

Akon: I just had sex,
and it felt so good.
A woman let me put my pen*s inside of her.
I wanna tell the world...

Andy Samberg: To be honest,
I'm surprised...
she even wanted me...
to do it.

Jorma Taccone: Doesn't really make sense,
but man, screw it.
I'm not really one to argue with a good thing.

Andy Samberg: She could be my wife.

Jorma Taccone: That good?

Andy Samberg: The best thirty seconds of my life.

Jorma Taccone: I'm so humbled by a girl's ability to let me do her.

Andy Samberg: 'Cause honestly I'd have sex with a pile of manure.

[Shows Andy Samberg in bed with a pile of manure]

Andy Samberg: With that in mind...
a soft, nice smellin' girls better.

Jorma Taccone: Plus she let me wear my chain and my turtleneck sweater.

[Jessica Alba is weirded out by Jorma in his chain and blue turtleneck sweater.]

Akon: So this one's dedicated...
to them girls...
that let us flop around on top of them.
If you're near or far,
whether short or tall,
we wanna thank you all...
for lettin' us f*** you.

Jorma Taccone: She kept looking at her watch.

Akon: Doesn't matter; had sex.

Andy Samberg: But I cried the whole time.

Akon: Doesn't matter; had sex.

Jorma Taccone: I think she might have been a racist.

Akon: Doesn't matter, you had sex.

Andy Samberg: She put a bag on my head.

Akon: Still counts!
I just had sex...

[Shows Andy with two sparkler fireworks, celebrating while Blake has her head in her hand in the background, ashamed by Andy's behavior]

Akon: and my dreams came true.

[Shows Akiva, in tophat, putting gold medals around Jorma's and Andy's necks, and they're standing under a big banner that says "SEX OLYMPICS"]

Akon: If you had sex in the last thirty minutes then you're qualified to sing with me.

People from all over the world: I just had sex...

Andy Samberg: Everybody sing!

Everyone: and it felt so good.

Akon: So good!

Everyone: A woman let me put my pen*s inside of her.

Jorma Taccone: I want to tell the world!

Everyone: I just had sex...
and I'll never go back...
to the not-having-sex ways of the past.

[Fireworks, including fireworks coming out of the crotches of Jorma, Akon, and Andy]

Enjoy!

- TAE

Monday, December 20, 2010

Andy Samberg is Mark Zuckerberg in WikiLeaks (SNL)

A Message from Mark Zuckerberg

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange compares his resume to Mark Zuckerberg, the 2010 Time Person of the Year.

Bill Hader ... Julian Assange
Andy Samberg ... Mark Zuckerberg



Bill Hader has played Julian Assange three weeks in a row! I think they realized how easy it is to use that character for current events. Plus Bill makes the character so funny!

This is Andy's second appearance as Mark Zuckerberg (both this season). Andy's Mark Zuckerberg does the boring thing very well for this skit. =^)

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Jim Carrey is the first SNL host of 2011

SNL Kicks Off the New Year with Jim Carrey and The Black Keys



New York, NY - "Saturday Night Live" celebrates the new year starting January 8 with actor Jim Carrey and musical guest The Black Keys.



Jim Carrey will take his second turn at hosting on January 8. The two-time Golden Globe winner is receiving critical acclaim for his starring role in the recently released film "I Love You Phillip Morris," which was nominated in the category of "Best Comedy" for the 16th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards. Carrey's past credits include "Liar Liar," "The Truman Show," "Man On The Moon," and "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind."



The Black Keys will perform as musical guest for their first SNL appearance. The duo recently received six Grammy nominations and their first single, "Tighten Up," remains number one at Modern Rock radio after eight continuous weeks. Additionally, iTunes named their album "Brothers" the number one album of the year while it debuted at number three on Billboard's Top 200 chart and number two on the Current Albums chart.



"Saturday Night Live" is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

From:
http://www.nbc.com/news/2010/12/17/snl-kicks-off-the-new-year-with-jim-carrey-and-the-black-keys/

==================

The images above are all from Jim Carrey's first appearance on SNL (Episode 943 | Season 21 | 05/18/1996)

Funny that they listed those Jim Carrey films. I would say "Jim Carrey first got his start appearing on In Living Color, a TV show that was started by the Wayans brothers when Damon Wayans got fired from SNL when he disobeyed Lorne Michaels (and played a supporting cop character as gay instead of straight as a supporting character should have been). Jim Carrey went on to star in hit films like A Christmas Carol (2009), Yes Man (2008), Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), Bruce Almighty (2003), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), The Truman Show (1998), Liar Liar (1997), Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), Batman Forever (1995), Dumb and Dumber (1994), The Mask (1994), and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)."

The dude had three hit films (grossing over $100 million each) in 1994, and then another two in 1995. Of the list they included, I can see they picked one blockbuster and all of his critically acclaimed dramas. But Bruce Almighty, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Mask, A Christmas Carol, and Batman Forever were all more successful than Liar Liar.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Andy and Jim Carrey being in a skit together, since they have both been described as having "rubber face"s.

Enjoy!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Jeff Bridges Shaves His Beard to get ready for SNL

A backstage exclusive of Jeff shaving his beard off in preparation for his hosting gig at SNL!



As I mentioned earlier, a Tron skit would be sweet, and I'd love to see Andy do something with Eminem. It would even be cool to combine all that... some silly Andy and Eminem rap taking place inside the world of Tron! That would be cool! What do you think?

Enjoy!

Will Justin Timberlake join SNL?



Justin Timberlake would jump at the chance to join the cast of hit U.S. comedy show Saturday Night Live - if only he could find time in his busy schedule.

The pop star-turned-actor has become good pals with series regular Andy Samberg after hosting and starring in numerous sketches on the program.

And he admits he would love to put his music and movie careers to one side so he could join the comedy crew for a full season of the show, which is filmed in New York.

Timberlake tells USA Weekend, "I could totally see living here (in New York) for a season and doing (it)."

From:
http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/tv/2010/11/29/16367121-wenn.html
============================

My prediction: No. I think he's just talking here. It would be quite a sacrifice for him to do that. But if he did, I'm sure Andy would stay on for another season!

Also, the good of this might just be that he'll be up for hosting again or for doing another digital short with Andy (because he's obviously thinking about it). Afterall, he's been fairly successful. He's won two Emmy's (for Junk in a Box and for hosting the Mother Lover episode), and he was nominated another time for Mother Lover.

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Andy Samberg at the Natural History Museum Gala

Stars of SNL attended last night's American Museum of Natural History's 2010 Museum Gala.





Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Jeff Bridges SNL promo with Fred Armisen

Jeff Bridges hosts an all-new SNL with musical guest Eminem and Lil Wayne.



I love the animation gags!

So they've got to have at least one Tron skit, and it would be awesome if Andy did a music video with Eminem and Little Wayne! Judging from how Eminem did some lame shtick for MTV awards shows, I think he'd be willing to do something funny with Andy.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Is David Beckham going to host SNL?



David Beckham is taking another shot at comedy - after being offered a guest slot on Saturday Night Live.

Producers usually reserve places on the leading US sketch show for established comics. But they approached the LA Galaxy star after seeing his hilarious stint on the Ellen DeGeneres Show last week.

It is a huge coup for Becks, 35, as he follows in the footsteps of celebs including Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks and Madonna.



He has agreed provisionally to film an episode early next year. A source said: "People often underestimate David's wry sense of humour and faultless natural timing.

"But he's actually very funny and has no problem poking fun at himself. It's a huge deal for David and will make him an even bigger star Stateside than he already is. His dream now is to record a cameo in Only Fools And Horses - it's his ultimate comedic fantasy."

Becks received rave reviews for his Ellen DeGeneres appearance.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/news/2010/11/06/saturday-night-dave-115875-22696166/#ixzz17gbqy4Ju

And here's David in the Ellen skit:



Enjoy!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Andy Samberg and TLI help make the Sunset Tower's Holiday video

Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone lend entertainment industry hangout a hand.

NEW YORK - NEW YORK – The Sunset Tower’s holiday card -- starring Saturday Night Live trio Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone -- has hit the web. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the video’s creation earlier this month.

The New York-based comedians use the boutique hotel and entertainment industry hotspot as their home base in California and agreed to help owner Jeff Klein with the special season’s greetings for its 5,000 or so customers, according to the paper.

The video features maitre d’hotel Dimitri Dimitrov and is reminiscent of Andy Popping Into Frame, one of the first viral hits of the comedy trio in which Samberg popped into mundane footage from the streets of Manhattan.

According to the Times, Klein declined to say if he had paid the comedians to make the video, but said: “We always take great care of those boys when they stay with us.”



From:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-watch-sunset-tower-s-49732

======================

The dudes aren't in this video, but they put it together. They put lots of shots of Dimitri Dimitrov in the video, giving their "Andy Popping Into Frame" a little variety, but essentially it's the same concept and music.

Enjoy!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Andy Samberg - Stumblin' (SNL Digital Short)

Film - SNL Digital Short: Stumblin'

Paul Rudd ... Stumbler - friend
Paul McCartney
Mario Batali
Fred Armisen ... guy
Vanessa Bayer ... girl
Michael Patrick O'Brien ... guy
Andy Samberg ... Stumbler - guy



Unfortunately, the video hasn't been uploaded yet, so you need to skip ahead to 18:28 in this Hulu video:



Or this link will skip to the right spot in the NBC video (after a minute of ads):

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/dec-11-paul-rudd/1264579/?tin=1107

My guess is that they'll have the video up by itself soon.

So, this was Andy's only "skit" this week, and it was filmed! So Andy pretty much took the week off after dominating last week. Kind of makes sense because they do that (the dominant player takes the next week off to let other players do their thing, especially when the cast is large like this). However, it doesn't look like anything good came from the Andyless week. Mostly just a Paul McCartney concert. And somebody has to tell Fred to stop doing his Roger Brush character.

So what did you think of Stumblin? I thought it was funny at first, but it didn't seem to go anywhere, other than the break for Paul McCartney randomness.

Who was that singing (other than Paul)? A female country singer? Voice sounds very familiar.

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Andy Samberg - SNL Cold Opening: Obama WikiLeaks

Cold Opening - WikiLeaks: TMZ

Robert DeNiro ... Hamid Karzai
Fred Armisen ... Barack Obama
Fred Armisen ... Muammer Kaddafi
Vanessa Bayer ... Hillary Clinton
Paul Brittain ... writer
Bill Hader ... Julian Assange
Steve Higgins ... announcer (voice)
Bobby Moynihan ... writer
Nasim Pedrad ... writer
Jay Pharoah ... writer
Andy Samberg ... writer
Jason Sudeikis ... Joseph Biden
Kenan Thompson ... waiter
Kristen Wiig ... nurse

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is using a TMZ format share his organization's latest findings.



Andy is a surfer boy. =^)

This is hilarious!

Enjoy!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Andy Samberg is Mothra in What Up with That? (SNL)

Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, and Lindsey Buckingham are guests on this edition of 'What's Up With That?'

Show - what up with that?

Robert DeNiro
Robin Williams
Fred Armisen ... saxophonist
Vanessa Bayer ... singer
Paul Brittain ... musician
Bill Hader ... Lindsey Buckingham
Taran Killam ... announcer
Nasim Pedrad ... singer
Andy Samberg ... Mothra
Jason Sudeikis ... dancer
Kenan Thompson ... Diondre Cole
Kristen Wiig ... Shasta Taffy



Hahahaha. Andy's Mothra is funny, but De Niro helps keep this skit alive with his attitude. Nice ending with Boba and the whatchamacallit from Willie Wonka!

Enjoy!

Remake of Andy Samberg's "Great Day" digital short

SNL Digital Short Great Day (Remake) Raintree Apt. Commercial

You might not like fan-made remakes, but give this one a chance. Stephen nailed the audio, and he made it hilarious! Stephen sent us this directly, so if you leave a comment, the creator will read it.



From Stephen:

I made a Parody of Great Day and changed into an ode to the apartment complex that i live in. Complete remake of Andy Samberg's Great Day Digital Short from SNL. we recorded our own version and are entering it into the raintree film festival.

Comment if you like it! And...

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Andy Samberg & Paul Rudd - SNL Promo

Paul Rudd hosts an all-new SNL 12/11 with musical guest Paul McCartney.



Thanks to Connie for the scoop!

Wow, lots of animation gags. This is some of my favorite style of humor. It's where the "what" isn't very funny. It's the "how" that's funny. =^)

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg on the Martha Stewart Show today

We're reposting this because the full video is now up on the page (see the link below). (Originally posted 12/6/10.) Thanks again to Connie for the scoop.
=================================

Andy Samberg makes baked Alaska, biologist Bill Streever discusses his adventures in the Arctic, and Martha visits the polar bear capital of the world.


Embrace the chilly weather this season with winter-themed recipes and cold-weather travel: make crowd-pleasing baked Alaska, an ice cream, cake, and meringue dessert with "Saturday Night Live" funny man Andy Samberg.

Watch the full episode here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/the-cold-show-with-andy-samberg

Thanks to Connie for the scoop!

This is Andy's second time on the show!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Andy Samberg is the son of Mr. Produce (SNL)

Yet another skit with Andy Samberg! Andy was in 7 skits this week! Awesome! What a fantastic episode!

Host Tony Sicilia has trouble with his sweet potatoes and squash courtesy of his inept son, Anthony.



Wow! What a great skit!

Show - From The Garden

Robert DeNiro ... Tony Sicilia
Steve Higgins ... announcer (voice)
Andy Samberg ... Anthony

Did you like this one? Andy was great in it!

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg has sex with Robert De Niro for a beer (SNL)

Sketch - It's a Living

Robert DeNiro ... guy
Ben Stiller ... guy
Taran Killam ... bartender
Andy Samberg ... Calvin
Jason Sudeikis ... Tristan



After a stressful day, Calvin and Tristan go to some unusual lengths to get a drink at the bar.

Andy gets all the great bar sketches. This one, the underage bar one with Zac Efron, the phone voices with Bill Hader and Seth Rogen, and the silly looks/stares with Shia Labeouf.

Hahahaha. This is messed up, but hilarious! Ben Stiller is awesome here! Great writing! Did you like it?

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Andy Samberg is Spider-man on Weekend Update (SNL)

One of the Spiderman on Broadway understudies swings in to talk about production mishaps.

Andy Samberg ... Brian Christopher (as Spider-man)



Hahahaha. This was fantastic! The kiss bit at the end really made this! What did you think?

Click the "Videos Weekend Update" category below to see the videos of all Andy's Weekend Update appearances!

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg on The Martha Stewart Show (video)

Martha shows Andy Samberg of "Saturday Night Live" -- dressed in a pink snowsuit -- how to make baked Alaska. Go to MarthaStewart.com/andy-samberg for more information about this episode.



These are some clips from Andy's episode. Some funny stuff!

Thanks to Michelle for finding this!

Enjoy!

Monday, December 06, 2010

Andy Samberg in Party at Bernard's (SNL Digital Short)

Hahahahaha! Weekend at Bernie's goes wrong!

Devin and Rocky are in for a surprise when they show up to party at their boss's house, Mr. Bernard.

Film - SNL Digital Short: Party at Mr. Bernard's

Robert DeNiro ... Mr. Bernard
Vanessa Bayer ... guest
Paul Brittain ... witness
Bill Hader ... Ricky
Taran Killam ... attorney
Bobby Moynihan ... judge
Nasim Pedrad ... guest
Jay Pharoah ... guest
Andy Samberg ... Devon
Jason Sudeikis ... attorney
Kristen Wiig ... guest



Hahahaha. I love this! What a nice nod to the 80s and Weekend at Bernie's! Did you like it and get the jokes?

Enjoy!

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Andy Samberg is Blizzard Man (SNL - fourth run)

Diddy brings in his secret weapon to drop a hook on his new song, Blizzard Man.

Sketch - Blizzard Man

Robert DeNiro ... mother
Sean "Puffy" Combs
Andy Samberg ... Blizzard Man
Jason Sudeikis ... agent
Kenan Thompson ... technician
Kristen Wiig ... agent



No laughs when the audience first heard "Blizzard Man." That means they either hadn't heard of it, or they don't like it. I think it's the first one, the way they laughed when they saw Andy.

This is Andy's fourth run at Blizz, and De Niro brings it back alive! Nice!

Here are the other runs...

11.18.2006 - Ludacris

01.20.2007 - Common and Jeremy Piven

11.22.2008 - Ludacris, T-Pain, and Tim McGraw

12.04.2010 - Puff Daddy and Robert De Niro


"Yo! No homo!" Awesome!

They also went with the opposite news header at the end. In the past the newspaper always told about a failure of a song.

This was another HUGE episode for Andy Samberg with 7 skits this week! What a great episode! Did you like it? The writers were having so much fun with this show!

I Love this Blizzard Man skit! Did you like it?

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Andy Samberg on Phineas and Ferb (video)

Actor/comedian Andy Samberg shares some family secrets, shows off his soccer skills and unveils a whole new rap style with Phineas and Ferb!



Hahahah. No idea what those lyrics are, but this is hilarious!

Thanks to Anony for the scoop!

Enjoy!

Friday, December 03, 2010

Andy Samberg in Thanksgivies (SNL)

Awards are given out for common Thanksgiving dinner forgettable moments.



This was played in the last episode's Thanksgiving episode during the dress rehearsal. It obviously didn't make the show. Andy plays a teenager who doesn't believe.

So the way the dress rehearsal goes is that they usually have three or so too many skits, and then they cut the ones that get the most groans or the least laughs or seem like they are just bad ideas when the producers see them in their full form. And then they might also cut another skit or two just because the timing isn't working out and the other skits are going too long. So this could've been cut because it was horrible (I'm hoping the producers saw how bad it was) or because time ran out.

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Robert De Niro SNL Promo (with Kristen Wiig)

Robert De Niro hosts an all-new SNL with musical guest Diddy Dirty Money, 12/4.



Some typical tough guy gags from Robert and Kristen.

Should be a fun episode!

Enjoy!

Saturday Night Live - Emmy nominees for individual performances

So there's no real good list on the Internetz for all the individual players who have been nominated (or won) for their efforts on SNL. This is the list (in chronological order).



Saturday Night Live - Emmy nominees for individual performances
1976
- (win) Supporting Actor: Chevy Chase

1977
- (nom) Supporting Actor: John Belushi
- (nom) Supporting Actor: Chevy Chase
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Gilda Radner

1978
- (nom) Supporting Actor: Dan Aykroyd
- (nom) Supporting Actor: John Belushi
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Jane Curtain
- (win) Supporting Actress: Gilda Radner

1983
- (nom) Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy

1984
- (nom) Performance: Eddie Murphy
- (nom) Performance: Joe Piscopo

1985
- (nom) Performance: Billy Crystal

1986
- (nom) Performance: Jon Lovitz

1987
- (nom) Performance: Jon Lovitz

1989
- (nom) Performance: Dana Carvey

1990
- (nom) Performance: Dana Carvey

1991
- (nom) Performance: Dana Carvey

1992
- (nom) Performance: Dana Carvey

1993
- (win) Performance: Dana Carvey

1994
- (nom) Performance: Phil Hartman
- (nom) Performance: Mike Meyers

2000
- (nom) Performance: Molly Shannon

2001
- (nom) Performance: Will Ferrell

2008
- (nom) Performance: Tina Fey
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Amy Poehler

2009
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Amy Poehler
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Kristen Wiig
- (win) Guest Actor: Justin Timberlake (host)
- (win) Guest Actress: Tina Fey (as Sarah Palin)

2010
- (nom) Supporting Actress: Kristen Wiig
- (nom) Guest Actress: Tina Fey (host)
- (win) Guest Actress: Betty White (host)




Andy Samberg's Emmy Win and three total nominations come from writing the lyrics of his hit songs (**** in a Box, Mother Lover, and Shy Ronnie). It's interesting to look at the list and see that the only winners (who were players) are Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Dana Carvey, and Tina Fey. But the list makes more sense as you see all the names (of those who were players):
  • Chevy Chase
  • John Belushi
  • Gilda Radner
  • Dan Aykroyd
  • Jane Curtain
  • Eddie Murphy
  • Joe Piscopo
  • Billy Crystal
  • Jon Lovitz
  • Dana Carvey
  • Phil Hartman
  • Mike Meyers
  • Molly Shannon
  • Will Ferrell
  • Tina Fey
  • Amy Poehler
  • Kristen Wiig


I think Andy would also be on this list if he came up with his own characters instead of relying on the writers and on his own digital shorts. Anyway, it's still a pretty accurate list (I also think Bill Murray is great, but it makes sense that he wasn't nomincated because he didn't break out above his co-actors until his movies). (There were many late bloomers on SNL who didn't break out until after they left the show: Bill Murray, Jim Belushi, Martin Short, Conan O'Brien, Damon Wayans, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Jay Mohr, and Rob Riggles.)



 Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Saturday Night Live - upcoming hosts (De Niro, Paul Rudd, Jeff Bridges)

We already announced De Niro, but here is some more news...

December 4, 2010 - Robert De Niro/Diddy-Dirty Money - Episode 36.8



December 11, 2010 - Paul Rudd/Paul McCartney - Episode 36.9



December 18, 2010 - Jeff Bridges/Eminem and Lil Wayne - Episode 36.10



Oh how I'd love to see Eminem do a Digital Short with Andy Samberg!

Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Andy Samberg in Guardians of Childhood (DreamWorks animation)

So Andy Samberg gets his third animated film (his first two were "Space Chimps" and "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs").



From Wikipedia...

The Guardians of Childhood is an upcoming computer-animated comedy film based on the forthcoming books by William Joyce, produced by DreamWorks Animation and due for release on November 21, 2012. The film is being described as "a contemporary fairytale based on existing fairytale characters". It will be written by Joyce, the creator of Rolie Polie Olie and Meet the Robinsons as well as a contributor to the underlying ideas behind the film Robots.

Plot - The film features a group of heroes from various childhood stories - Santa (Christopher Lee), the Easter Bunny (Seth Green), the Tooth Fairy (Miranda Cosgrove), Genie (Hank Azaria), the Sandman (Andy Samberg) and Jack Frost (Leonardo Dicaprio) - who join together in an adventure to stop Pitch the Boogeyman (George Lopez) from sending the world into "eternal darkness".

Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Frost
Miranda Cosgrove as The Tooth Fairy
Seth Green as The Easter Bunny
Andy Samberg as Sandy the Sandman
George Lopez as Pitch the Boogeyman
Hank Azaria as The Genie
Christopher Lee as Santa Claus

From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardians_of_Childhood#Cast

Enjoy!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Phineas and Ferb interview Andy Samberg (and Jack Black)



Tisha wrote us...

Hey TAE! I was bored and found myself watching the Disney Channel and while watching there was this tv ad for ''Phineas and Ferb Take Two'', its a special from the show ''Phineas and Ferb'' where the are the main characters are doing a parody of Late-night shows by interviewing celebrities and suprisingly Andy is one of them! And fellow friend Jack Black and more celebs.

=================

From Wikipedia...

Take Two with Phineas and Ferb is an upcoming spin-off to Phineas and Ferb, premiering December 3, 2010.
Episode list:

December 3, 2010 - Phineas and Ferb interview Jack Black.

December 10, 2010 - Phineas and Ferb interview Andy Samberg.

Known guests:
  • Seth Rogen
  • Tony Hawk
  • Taylor Swift
  • Regis Philbin
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • Emma Roberts
  • Randy Jackson
  • Cedric the Entertainer

Thanks to Tisha for the scoop, and...

Enjoy!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Recap of Andy Samberg's Prince William skit on SNL

Anne Hathaway on 'SNL': Actress mocks newly-engaged Kate Middleton in Royal Family sketch




Anne Hathaway isn't a real-life princess, but she's fast becoming Hollywood royalty.

The star of the upcoming "Love and Other Drugs" hosted "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend in an episode that is being praised by critics.

In one skit, the "Princess Diaries" actress reprised her role as royalty, playing a convincing Kate Middleton as she joins Prince William (Andy Samberg) to announce the couple's engagement to Queen Elizabeth II (Fred Armisen) and Prince Phillip (Bill Hader).

While the prince's blue-blood grandparents appeared genteel and well-mannered at the outset, their behavior took a hilarious turn for the worse when William left the room.

The Queen adapted a crude cockney accent as she told the soft-spoken Middleton, "Shut up! Shut your mouth!"

...




The royal couple proceeded to give Middleton a crass introduction to the palace rules, including a shout-out to one of Hathaway's most beloved films.

"We're not talking about salad forks, love," said Prince Phillip. "This is not the 'Princess Diaries.'"

"That movie's crap, isn't it?" added the Queen.

"I think it has its moments," a flustered Middleton replied.

The crude version of the royal pair also gave Middleton some honest advice about proper decorum in the bedroom.

"When you're out there waving to a parade, you be Princess Di, you be Princess Grace ... but in the bedroom, think Fergie!"

Hathaway, who appeared in a knee-length blue wrap dress similar to Middleton's now-famous Issa engagement frock, also moonlighted as actress Katie Holmes and the Wizard of Oz's Dorothy in other skits that evening.

The actress' hotly-anticipated film, "Love and Other Drugs," hits theaters Wednesday.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/11/22/2010-11-22_anne_hathaway_on_snl_actress_mocks_newlyengaged_kate_middleton_in_royal_family_s.html#ixzz16Q3KiFDY

==================

And according to Anne Hathaway's monologue, she appears nude in the film.

We included this review to give more of a background of the skit.

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Scarlett Johansson hanged with Andy Samberg



Scarlett Johansson, drinking vodka sodas with Andy Samberg and Lorne Michaels during Saturday Night Live's afterparty at Primehouse in N.Y.C. Also there: Jon Hamm, who worked the entire room. By 4 a.m., Johansson was rallying revelers and trying to get everyone to sing karaoke after the bash.

From:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20442370,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

===================================

So it's just interesting that Scarlett chose to hang out with Andy and Lorne. An interesting combination.

Enjoy!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Denzel Washington did an impression of himself, based on Jay Pharoah's impression

Okay, so Denzel Washington did an impression of himself, based on the impression that Jay Pharoah did of Denzel.



Read about it over at our new Jay Pharoah blog. We believe this guy is going to be huge! Check him out:

http://jaypharoah.blogspot.com/

Jay is definitely the next Will Ferrell or Eddie Murphy. He is blowing the audience away with his impressions (Kanye, Nick Cannon was also genius, Denzel Washington was done twice in different ways, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith on Weekend Update in his first episode, and most recently impressions of three rappers in his Thanksgiving Song). Jay needs to continue to strike every other episode like he is, but he also needs to try out a character or two in between his impresions (Will Ferrell had his George Bush and Alex Trebek, but it was his characters that made him famous). Jay also did Chris Tucker on SNL once, but I missed that, and he's obviously poised to take over Obama from Fred, since he does a great Obama impression (next season is my guess).

Enjoy!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Andy Samberg is Batman on The Miley Cyrus Show (SNL)

Show - The Miley Cyrus Show

Anne Hathaway ... Katie Holmes
Vanessa Bayer ... Miley Cyrus
Bobby Moynihan ... drummer
Andy Samberg ... actor
Jason Sudeikis ... Billy Ray Cyrus

Miley Cyrus interviews guest Katie Holmes and shows a copy of her audition as Batman's love interest.



So apparently Andy played Batman. Did it look like him?

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Anne Hathaway tells Andy Samberg that she'll get naked for him (SNL Monologue)

Anne talks about her thought process on doing nude scenes in her work.



Andy's hilarious here, playing himself. He has a great smile as he walks off stage. Plus Bobby's laugh is pretty funny. And then Kristen's line at the end nails the bit.

The show was off to a good start. What do you think? Do you think the show was better than it has been lately?

Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Andy Samberg is Robert Smith from The Cure in Horse Play (SNL)

Commercial - Horse Play

Anne Hathaway ... Alanis Morissette
Fred Armisen ... Randy Newman
Danielle Flora ... dancer
Bill Hader ... announcer (voice)
Andy Samberg ... Robert Smith
Jason Sudeikis ... Adam Lambert
Kenan Thompson ... Cee Lo
Kristen Wiig ... Dolores O'Riordan

A heart-warming film about a team of horses who wanted to play baseball has a soundtrack.



I'm not always the biggest fan of these "Hey let's come up with a make believe kids movie and then have our players impersonate musicians who would create songs for the soundtrack" skit ideas, but, wow. The cast really takes it and runs with it. (This is a semi-sequel to "Bunny Business" on 11.07.2009.

This is the first Robert Smith impression on SNL. Cheri Oteri did Alanis Morisette once on 11.14.1998. Jason's second take on Adam Lambert (and he's the only SNL player to do it). Kenan's Cee Lo was the first time on SNL. Kristen's Cranberries singer was the first time on SNL. Fred is the one person to bring his impression back from Bunny Business. Fred's second take on Randy Newman (and the only SNL player to do it).

Here are my rankings in how awesome these impressions were (and hilarious)...

1. Kristen Wiig ... Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries) - Wow. Kristen gets first place just for nailing the voice so amazingly well. The "Oats" part at the end was good too.

2. Andy Samberg ... Robert Smith - Andy nails the voice, look, and hand motions. The crying at the end really makes it great.

3. Fred Armisen ... Randy Newman - A hilarious butchering of Randy's voice. Too short though.

4. Anne Hathaway ... Alanis Morissette - Anne really gets into this. It would have been higher on the list if it was funnier.

5. Jason Sudeikis ... Adam Lambert - Probably the best gag of the skit, and he looks great, but it's mostly just a gag. No singing here. Still the humor in itself gave him the edge over Kenan.

6. Kenan Thompson ... Cee Lo - A great impression, but not really funny.

============

And just for fun, here was the lineup on Bunny Business...

Taylor Swift ... Shakira
Fred Armisen ... Randy Newman
Abby Elliott ... Christina Aguilera
Bill Hader ... announcer (voice)
Bill Hader ... Eddie Vedder
Andy Samberg ... Adam Duritz
Kenan Thompson ... Jennifer Hudson
Kristen Wiig ... Natalie Merchant

Abby Elliott wasn't even in this one (she usually does impressions of singers). It's amazing how many talented singers SNL has.

What did you think?

Enjoy!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Robert Deniro - next host on Saturday Night Live

Robert Deniro hosts December 4th.



This will be Robert's third time hosting. The first two were...

12.07.2002
12.18.2004


Plus he has three earlier guest appearances:

10.10.1992 (Joe Pesci was hosting)
04.12.1997
10.21.2000


But my favorite appearance he made was in 1997, when he and Pesci crashed Jim Breuer's Joe Pesci Show (Colin Quinn was playing Deniro), and the real Pesci and broke their legs with a bat. Classic!

He's obviously promoting Little Fockers.

What do you think he'd do with Andy Samberg?

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg is The Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz (SNL)

Show - The Essentials: Wizard of Oz

Anne Hathaway ... Dorothy
Fred Armisen ... Lon Donson, The Weather Vane
Bill Hader ... Cowardly Lion
Steve Higgins ... announcer (voice)
Taran Killam ... Tin Man
Bobby Moynihan ... The Wizard
Andy Samberg ... Scarecrow
Jason Sudeikis ... Robert Osborne

There was almost a fifth character in The Wizard of Oz that you've never heard about.



Anne really does well in picking skits. Last time she was on, she was Mary Poppins, and this time she's Dorothy. Bobby is a great Wizard. Classic!

Andy is a great scarecrow! They really did a great job on the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion and getting their makeup right!

I wonder who writes the skits like this one and the Disney ones?

Enjoy!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Andy Samberg is Prince William (SNL)

Sketch - Royal Engagement

Anne Hathaway ... Kate Middleton
Fred Armisen ... Queen Elizabeth
Bill Hader ... Prince Philip
Taran Killam ... butler
Andy Samberg ... Prince William

Prince William takes Kate Middleton to meet Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.



Fred as the Queen. Hahahaha. None of the four ladies on the show could have played the queen?

This is the first time Andy or anyone on SNL has played Prince William. How did Andy do?

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Andy Samberg & Anne Hathaway - SNL Promo

Anne hosts an all-new SNL 11/20 with musical guest Florence + the Machine.



Just a basic gag from Andy. Nothing super funny. Glad Anne and Andy did a promo together!

Enjoy!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Andy Samberg & TLI - their first Rokk Vodka video



Thanks to Anony for the scoop! Anony says:

Sorry girls, Andy doesn't look nearly as good as Jorm and Kiv.

I love that Andy has long hair!

Sort of silly, but I think it ends very well. The hose bit at the end is hilarious!

Well, Jorma's probably been working on this.

Did you like it?

Enjoy!

Featured Player Update - Vanessa gets a few skits & Jay dominates

Interestingly, this last episode (hosted by Scarlett Johansson) was mostly a stinker. Kristen tries a new character that doesn't go over well. A bunch of repeat skits that aren't original enough to be funny, a lot of the actors didn't seem to be hitting the marks on their jokes, and Vanessa led three bits.

In Stars of Tomorrow, Vanessa played a little girl actress who did adult roles. The skit came across as dry and a little too annoying to me:



Vanessa had a funny gag on the MTV commercial (and Jay did a good job with Nick Cannon):



This Weekend Update gag got me at the end (it wasn't funny until the end):



But I attribute the humor more to Seth and Fred than Vanessa (although she set them up well enough).

And Vanessa headlined this dating game show (but it also wasn't overly funny):



Oh my gawsh! No way! Do you guys see it??? This is Vanessa Bayer's way of getting back (by poking fun at herself and acknowledging what happened).

You see, Vanessa had her old online Dating video leaked a few weeks back, and it makes her look a little boring...



So... this skit starts out with a similar video and heads to the next step. Coincidence, or Vanessa "fighting back?"

Other bits that connect... She basically received a lot of hateful comments, including talking about her frizzy hair, so for this character she made the frizzy hair a lot more extreme. And then people asked who the heck would go for her from that video... and the answer in this skit is Taran's version of the same annoying and boring person (but in guy form).

Meanwhile, Jay does a fun Kanye impression:



But he really knocked it out of the park with his second take on his Denzel Washington impression:



I still want to see Jay bust out his Eddie Murphy on Weekend Update and feature his Will Smith in a skit a little better.

Jay is definitely the next Will Ferrell or Eddie Murphy. He is blowing the audience away with his impressions (Kanye, Nick Cannon in this episode was also genius, Denzel Washington was done a second time in this episode in a different way, Eddie Murphy, and Will Smith on Weekend Update in his first episode). Jay needs to continue to strike every other episode like he is, but he also needs to try out a character or two in between his impresions (Will Ferrell had his George Bush and Alex Trebek, but it was his characters that made him famous). Jay also did Chris Tucker on SNL once, but I missed that, and he's obviously poised to take over Obama from Fred, since he does a great Obama impression (next season is my guess).

Nasim needs to strike some more this season, but I feel like she's making a little progress already:
1st, she tried out Henry on episode 2 (Bryan Cranston) of this season (which I think flopped).
2nd, she did a great Gloria Allred during episode 3 (Jane Lynch).
3rd, on episode 4 (Emma Stone), she did her great Barbara Walters on The View and then blew me away as Morgan with her team up with Andy Samberg in "My Brother Knows Everything."
In the last two episodes, she has mostly been stagnant (in this past episode 5 she followed up her hilarious Chinese translator from last season with a stangnant reincarnation). So I don't think she's been doing nothing this season (especially with the new and great Gloria Allred and My Brother Knows Best), but she defintely has a ways to go before she can match what she gave us last season (Mahmud's wife, Kim Kardashian multiple times, 2 Bedelia skits, the Chinese translator, and the girlfriend sketch with Andy and Taylor Swift).

So here's the Featured Player rank...

1. Nasim Pedrad - The Cold Opening wasn't much special, but she's got an extra year under her belt, and Gloria Allred and My Brother Knows Best were great steps in the right direction this season (but nothing the last two episodes).

2. Jay Pharoah - Jay will probably get bumped up to Regular Player next season. He's hitting hard every other episode, and it's leaving an impression. This episode, he was the MVP with Denzel Washington, Kanye West, and Nick Cannon (so the boring offerings from the other cast members only served to make Jay look better this episode). He still needs to bust out characters to win more people over though.

3. Vanessa Bayer - She mostly fell flat with her three leads this episode (the dating game bit, the child actress bit, and the cruise ship passenger--her part was stale), which makes me wonder about her talents. Her Miley Cyrus in episode 2 was amazing, but if she continues at the level that she was at during this episode, she might not be back next season. If she can put out material as great as the Miley Cyrus Show a few more times, she'll at least make it to her second season as a featured player (which is what Bobby, Abby, Nasim, and most successful players do; I think Adam Sandler was featured for 3 seasons before he won over the audience and graduated to regular player).

4. Paul Brittain - Paul has already said "Live From New York" and had the Sex Ed character. But Paul needs more impressions and characters quick. He hasn't done enough to warrant a second season yet. Paul has only led in 2 skits in 1 episode.

5. Taran Killam - Unfortunately that puts Taran in last place, even though he rocked our world with his Pee Wee Herman (Back to the Future DVD). Taran is filling in roles well, but he needs to headline some skits quick, or he won't come back next season. I'm a big Taran fan (from Scrubs and other efforts), and I think he can do great impressions and characters, but he needs to get in there and go big spon (and often).


And here is how I'd rank the Featured Players in this episode:

1. Jay Pharoah - Denzel Washington, Kanye West, and Nick Cannon. Jay was the night's MVP, even more so than Andy, Kristen, and the others.

2. Vanessa Bayer - Although her three attempts at leading mostly fell flat, she had a few good jokes like setting up the Cruise Ship joke (for Seth and Fred) and the cribs joke (on the MTV commercial). The episode was so bad that these little jokes still added up for more humor than the other featured players achieved.

3. Taran Killam - Dancing security guard on Manuel Ortiz, and he played Chris Pine opposite Jay's Denzel. I think being associated with Jay's Denzel gave him the boost in this episode, but it's not enough and he was still overshadowed by Jay's performance.

4. Nasim Pedrad - Her second go at the Chinese translator, and she was a girlfriend on the Manuel Ortiz show.

5. Paul Brittain - Just a little support this episode.

Enjoy!

- TAE

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