Saturday, May 31, 2008

Andy Samberg - Was a Fella before he was a Dude (Buzz Sugar Interview)

Great insights into Andy being the face and how they got the Hot Rod gig. Read on...

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Andy Samberg and his friends/Lonely Island cohorts Jorma Taccone (pictured, right) and Akiva Schaffer (pictured, middle) have somehow figured out how to achieve the greatest thing ever. Growing up together in Berkeley, California, the three are now working together on "Saturday Night Live" and are about to release their first feature film, Hot Rod, this Friday. So, basically they figured out how to get paid to make jokes with their high school buddies.





Sure, we were there to talk up Hot Rod, which Akiva directed and which stars Andy and Jorma. But really it started to feel like I was back cracking jokes and shooting the breeze with my old buddies, so relaxed and fun was this interview. I also learned a great deal about these smart, fun guys, including the fact that they call themselves "The Dudes" (formerly "The Fellas"), they have a love of all things 1986, and that being on "Saturday Night Live" was Andy's childhood dream. They are fully responsible for bringing "Dick in a Box" to the world, and have been rewarded with an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics category. Check out all the awesome other stuff I learned about this trio of dudes...

Q. You guys have been friends since junior high school, so before there was Lonely Island, there was…

Jorma: The world didn’t even exist before Lonely Island. (laughs)

Akiva: We were actually born in Berkeley, we all went to Berkeley High School… We got to high school and we all became friends and it basically was maybe eight dudes, and just like we call ourselves "The Dudes" now, in high school we called ourselves "The Fellas." We’ve really matured and grown. (laughs) Pretty much when you’re in high school your dream is to figure out who’s going to pay you to just joke around with your friends from high school, and the three of us went off and the other five are like chemists and studied American Studies in Michigan and are getting their PhDs… so they blew it. They didn’t make it.

Andy: I love that you said, “Eight dudes called themselves The Fellas… before they became The Dudes.” (laughs)



Q. I know you went to UCSC and I was wondering what it was like trying to have a sense of humor in a town that sometimes can be on the sensitive side.

Andy: We were pretty well trained in that growing up in Berkeley, though. If you’re at all a sarcastic person growing up in that environment of Berkeley or even Santa Cruz, I mean, there’s a lot to be sarcastic about, certainly.

Q. You guys were really involved in the rise of YouTube... What was that like?

Jorma: It is funny because we are tied to like, the rise of YouTube, but I think that was just because we were doing our own shorts and producing them ourselves long before maybe other people were, but… if it wasn’t us it would have been somebody else, YouTube would still be flourishing.

Akiva: Other videos have gotten popular on there after our, after "Lazy Sunday," so one of them at least would have drawn everybody over there. But we got a lot of free press out of the fact that they were tied because with the rise of YouTube we always had to be a part of that story, so it worked out to be pretty good press.

Andy: The way you say that, “the rise of YouTube” –

Akiva: I would never say, “the rise of us,” but “the rise of YouTube” –

Andy: It sounds really scary like (gravelly voice) “the rise of YouTube…”

Q. In the earlier Lonely Island stuff, all three of you did stuff onscreen. Was there ever a time when you made the conscious decision to make Andy "the face," the guy who’s out there?

Akiva: No, Lorne Michaels made that decision long ago. (laughs) Because Andy’s the one, (turns to Andy) you’re the one since you were whatever age, had your own dream of being on "SNL" … I mean, it would be truly sad if one of us was the face on "SNL" and you were the one writing since you’re the one that… that’s what you’ve always wanted.

Andy: I did go, the one thing I did outside of these guys is stand-up, I did for seven years. These guys were working on their own stuff and I would drag my ass out to these terrible clubs and did stuff which I think in my audition for the show came in very, very handy. But, that being said, I would love to see these two onscreen a lot more.

Q. What did you learn from doing the shorts ("Dick in a Box," "Lazy Sunday") that you then applied to Hot Rod?

Akiva: Well, doing all the shorts that we’ve been doing since we decided, since we moved to Tinseltown, as we call it —

Andy: We do NOT call it Tinseltown!

Akiva: Just I call it that, then.

Andy: He would give the DMV his address and it would say "Tinseltown, USA."

Akiva: But, doing all those shorts, I was amazed how much on the set of a movie, once you realize what the 200 people around you are actually doing, and you know their names and you’re not as intimidated by the buzzing around of the 200 people, like, the wardrobe people are just worrying about wardrobe, the lighting people are just worrying about lights, how much it would actually boil right back down to the three of us and a couple of friends. Once everything got quiet and it was time to actually shoot, there was really, actually kinda no difference between doing a short and doing this thing in terms of like, you’re just trying to make the little scenes work. It gets very small right after it gets very big.

Q. How did the movie come about?

Akiva: Well, we didn’t write the movie. This woman Pam Brady had written it and had written for the "South Park" series, she co-wrote the South Park Movie, co-wrote Team America with Matt and Trey. And before we were even asked she wrote it for Lorne and for Paramount and then when we got there, first to Andy they were like, “Andy, why don’t you read it see if it appeals to you?” And then after "Lazy Sunday" it became, “Hey, the three of you guys why don’t you read it?”

Q. How did you guys change the script to make it more specifically geared to your talents?

Akiva: Well, she had written it for Will Farrell, and it had been positioned that it would be a vehicle for him and … it was very much obviously for Will Ferrell. When you read it you couldn’t picture anybody else in the movie but Will Ferrell, there were just these lines that he very much made his persona over the years. So, if [Andy] had just done those lines it would have been like, an impression of Will Ferrell. So, we had to go through... and kinda tweak it a lot just to get it to feel like it was ours, and his, and all that kind of stuff.

Q. Andy, how many of the stunts in Hot Rod did you do yourself?

Andy: I mean, I was on the bike a lot, I didn’t ever get airborne…

Jorma: Well, you went off that curb! You got some air, about six inches.

Andy: Yeah, about as much air as I could get... You know, I had never ridden a motorbike, and I was sort of terrible on any sort of wheels to start with — you name it, I crashed on it badly as a kid. So, I was starting from scratch and by that measurement, I did a lot of stuff.

Akiva: You didn’t have to be very good on it to sell the character, he wasn’t supposed to be much of an expert.

Andy: But that being said, what we realized and what we had explained to us is the tricky thing about the stunts in the movie is they all go wrong. And it’s a lot harder to make something look like it’s terribly awry but still be safe. So, I wasn’t allowed to do stuff mostly and to be honest it was the smart move. I think the one I thought I could actually do and looking back I’m SO glad I didn’t do is the pool one. (In the movie, Andy's character tries to jump the motorbike over a pool.) It’s like, what? It’s water! I’ll be fine. But it’s like, “You will die.” The other guy did it and I was like, (whispers) “Holy shit, I’m glad I didn’t do that one.”

Q. Is there a roster of '80s movies that you would recommend as preparatory viewing for this film?

Akiva: Well, Rad. That movie was influential on so many levels. You guys all know Rad?

(Everyone at the table nods.)

Andy: Oh, wow, we gotta go get a beer.

Akiva: It is a rare thing to have eight people at a table together and they all know what Rad is.

Andy: There’s more people [who know it] than I was expecting, you know, there are always one or two people who come in and are like, “So, it was Rad on purpose, right?”

Q. Any others?

Akiva: Well, Footloose obviously. We just wanted it to feel like thousands of '80s movies, like, this is nothing like E.T. but we wanted it to kind of have the tonal quality, picture-wise of E.T. just to kind of remind you of, it reminds us of the movies of our childhood.

Jorma: Just the fact that that Europe album, The Final Countdown, came out in 1986 and Rad came out in 1986, I’m starting to think that maybe 1986 is my favorite year ever.

Andy: I remember being a young lad and being like 1986 is my favorite year so far!

Q. What’s next for you guys?

Akiva: Well, the show ("SNL") starts back up again at the end of September. So we’re going back to that, for now.

Q. How involved are you with the writing process when it comes to the shorts on "SNL"?

Andy: The majority of [the shorts] are written by the three of us.

Q. Do you think you’ll always want to stick together?

Akiva: For a while. Yeah.

Andy: I definitely do. We bail each other out way too often.


From:
www.buzzsugar.com/468656


Enjoy!

Dear Kramer (SNL Dear Sister Parody)

Michael Richard's racist rant; his career is dead, much like that guy from the OC. Dear/Dead Kramer.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Andy Samberg - With Ben Stiller, Jon Stewart, and Kevin James



Jack McBrayer, Susie Essmann, Kevin James, Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, and Andy Samberg take calls during the 'Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education' presented by Comedy Central at the Beacon Theatre on April 13, 2008 in New York City.



That's Kevin James in the Blue Man goo.

Click for a bigger image:
http://www.jamd.com/image/g/80662394




And with Jon Stewart:




Enjoy!

Supernatural Laser Cats

A fan combines Supernatural with Laser Cats 2.



From the description:

This was all I could think of while watching this particular Supernatural episode. Yes, I need help, but that's sort of a given.



Enjoy!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Andy Samberg - Made his stache from show dogs (TRL interview)

Andy Samberg appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) at the MTV Times Square Studios on July 30, 2007 in New York City




TRL is Total Request Live, an MTV show where they go through the top music videos, take requests, and interview celebrities.


MTV: Looking at the countdown, what's your favorite video?


Andy Samberg: Hmm ... "Lip Gloss."



MTV: Is there a song not on there that you think should be?


Andy Samberg: Nope! [Laughs.] I mean, I love a lot of music out right now. I'm surprised that The [White] Stripes aren't on there anymore, but I guess it's not really the club music anymore.





MTV: You had your own brush with pop stardom this past year when you did "D--- in a Box" on SNL with Justin Timberlake. How was that experience and can we expect you to reprise that role?


Andy Samberg: I hope so, but I don't know when it would be. What was the process like? It was awesome! [Laughs.]



MTV: Were you surprised that it was nominated for an Emmy?


Andy Samberg: Yeah, I was very surprised. It was, like, the most shocking news I've ever gotten!







MTV: Is working on SNL something you always worked toward?


Andy Samberg: Yeah, since I was eight years old. Growing up as a kid I wanted to do it, and I lucked out.



MTV: You're also a part of The Lonely Island comedy team, who you created the SNL digital shorts and your new film Hot Rod with.


Andy Samberg: Yeah, Akiva Schaffer directed Hot Rod and Jorma Taccone was in it and all three of us worked together on it all the way through.



MTV: What was it like working with your friends on a daily basis?


Andy Samberg: It's the best. It makes it a lot easier and a lot more fun.



MTV: Tell us a little more about Hot Rod.


Andy Samberg: It's full of hilarious jokes and it's way better than that Bourne movie and I also heard that if you go see Underdog your eyes will burn out, but I don't know. I'm pretty sure that's true.



MTV: So that 'stache you rocked in the movie, is it real or fake?


Andy Samberg: I made that. I collected single hairs from show dogs, like really well-trained and top-shelf show dogs, and I took like one hair from each one. I traveled around the world and put it together so it's sort of a supergroup of show dog hair. Only the best for Paramount!







MTV: Aside from the new season of SNL in the fall, do you have any other projects coming up?


Andy Samberg: I'm doing a voice in an animated movie, but I don't know when it's coming out ... hopefully next summer.



MTV: Anything else you want to tell your TRL fans?


Andy Samberg: Um, I love them!






From:
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/trl/interviews.jhtml?interviewId=1565967

Andy Samberg - On MTV Scarred (2007)

This is from MTV Scarred in 2007

Andy Samberg, star of the new comedy Hot Rod, takes over Jacoby's spot to bring you some of the most horrifying clips in extreme sports injuries.



From:
http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1557057&pid=2546742

Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Andy Samberg - Gets Slapped by Sarah Silverman

2007 MTV Movie Awards

6/4/2007

Andy Samberg was supposed to present the mtvU Best Filmmaker on Campus award to University of Southern California student Josh Greenbaum for his movie 'Border Patrol.' Instead, Sarah Silverman slaps the 'SNL' staple to give him a bit of the spotlight after his presentation gets cut.



Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - Before the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

Andy was waiting for the awards to begin...

SNL’s Andy Samberg Readies For The Show

Our sharp-eyed photogs caught “Saturday Night Live” castmember Andy Samberg (and star of the upcoming comedy “Hot Rod”) waiting patiently for the MTV Movie Awards to begin. Only 30 minutes remain until the red carpet officially opens, and as you’ll see below (after the jump), everything’s in place for the festivities.



From:
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/06/03/celeb-spotting-snls-andy-samberg-readies-for-the-show/

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Andy Samberg - Getting Jiggy with Natalie Portman

Andy Samberg gets jiggy with Natalie Portman.

From early 2006, the episode of the Natalie Portman Rap. This was a Sheldon skit, also featuring Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch.



Enjoy!

Shia LaBeouf & Andy Samberg Do SNL Roof Goofs (People Magazine)

Shia LaBeouf & Andy Samberg Do SNL Roof Goofs





Shia LaBeouf and Andy Samberg are going where few have gone before in the promos for Saturday Night Live – the Rockefeller Center roof garden!

In one of the three promos, LaBeouf, this week's host, plays in the bushes with the SNL regular ("You're welcome" for the tour, they proclaim).

And in another, Samberg even busts out his whip for a cute Harrison Ford impression and obvious plug for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which stars LaBeouf and hits theaters May 22.

The musical guest is My Morning Jacket – not My Night Jacket, which according to the last promo might make LaBeouf's brain explode.


From:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198840,00.html


Enjoy!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Andy Samberg in July 2007

Here is Andy Samberg again in July 2007, at the premiere of Hot Rod


ANDY SAMBERG


Enjoy!

Open The Box SNL t-shirt

This Saturday Night Live shirt features a cartoon version of Andy Samberg about to offer the ladies a special gift if they would just "Open The Box".

http://www.80stees.com/products/Open-The-Box-Justin-Timberlake-Saturday-Night-Live-T-shirt.asp?referer=Shoppingcom_SNL026&



Enjoy!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Snack Attack T-Shirt

Want a T-Shirt of your favorite rap about cupcakes? Well look no further!


Snack Attack MF!!! Women's Pink T-Shirt







http://www.cafepress.com/buy/-/pd_42654297?CMP=PF-CA-Shopping-42654297-lilgreybird.109

Two girls re-enact the Narnia Rap



From the description:

As promised, my best friend Kalyn and I recreated the Narnia skit from SNL. Thanks to Chelsea we were able to get some shots on campus and around Georgetown, while trying our best to impersonate Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell.

Senior Week 2008

*The video was made into a DVD but due to problems uploading was recorded from a computer for your viewing pleasure*

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Andy Samberg - Attacked by Dr. Scientist (Jake Gyllenhaal)

Let's stroll down memory lane to Laser Cats 2...




SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Pictured: (l-r) Jake Gyllenhaal, Andy Samberg -- In Laser Cats 2, Dr. Scientist (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes on Admiral Spaceship -- NBC Universal Photo: Dana Edelson

Space Chimps One-Sheet

Space Chimps One-Sheet





When a $5 billion NASA probe disappears into an intergalactic wormhole, the agency recruits Ham III, grandson of the first chimpanzee in space, to help retrieve the wayward craft. But Ham is a free-spirited circus performer more interested in zero gravity high jinks than living up to his illustrious heritage. The simian slacker becomes a reluctant hero and learns the true meaning of courage as he and his crewmates, the fearless Lt. Luna and their uptight commander, Titan, risk everything in an effort to save the peaceful inhabitants of a distant planet from an evil dictator.

A hilarious, out of this world adventure the whole family can enjoy, Space Chimps features cutting edge CGI animation and the voice talent of Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Patrick Warburton, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Tucci.

From:
http://www.canmag.com/nw/11303-space-chimps-one-sheet



Enjoy!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Andy Samberg - Hugs Annette Bening

Let's take a look down memory lane to this classic Andy skit with Annette...


SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Pictured: (l-r) Annette Bening, Andy Samberg -- Mrs. Parks (Annette Bening) is in love with her wholly inappropriate, and completely non-responsive student Daniel (Andy Samberg) -- NBC Photo: Dana Edelson



Enjoy!

Dear Sister - Runescape remake

What the???



"Remake of the famous Andy Samberg's "What cha say?" SNL SKIT on Runescape. What did you say?"


Umm, and here's a battle with the music:



"This is a runescape version of the snl digital short dear sister."

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Andy Samberg - Klondike Bar Contest

How Far Will America Go For A Klondike(R) Bar?



New Klondike National Video Contest To Award $100,000
By PR Newswire




ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- What would you do for a Klondike(R) Bar? Change your tune from hard rock to country? Wear a Klondike Bear suit for 24 hours -- on the bus, at work and out for happy hour? Don tightie whities and a cape and be the neighborhood super hero? Crazy and creative antics and talents aren't just for reality television anymore. Now, they could earn you big bucks.


Today, Klondike announces the national "What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?" video contest. People have been asking the iconic question for decades and now Americans can prove it on camera. Who will go to the greatest lengths for the tempting tasty treat?


The grand-prize winning video entrant will receive $100,000 and a trip for a one-on-one digital short consultation with Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone of "Saturday Night Live." The team, collectively known as The Lonely Island is best known for directing, writing and starring in hilarious, off-the-wall digital shorts, including "Lazy Sunday" and the Emmy Award-winning SNL digital short, "Junk in A Box" with Justin Timberlake. The comedy team also will be part of the overall judging panel to help select the grand-prize winner.



"We know people love their Klondike Bars," said David Burrows, Senior Brand Director for Klondike. "And we wanted to give Americans the opportunity to show us the great lengths they will go to by answering the iconic question on camera, "What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?"

The real entertainment in the contest comes with the video categories: Laughs -- to tickle the funny bone; Flaunt It -- to show off unique capabilities; Did You See That? -- for the cool kid in all of us; and Everything Else -- a category that encourages creativity.

"What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?" video entries will be accepted starting May 13 through July 31 at http://www.KlondikeContest.com, where fans can vote on and rate their favorite off-the-wall videos throughout the summer. Semi-finalist videos will be selected based on fan ratings, as well as feedback from a panel of judges, so every vote counts. Four finalist videos will be announced in August and America also will help select the grand-prize winning video, which will be announced in September.

You don't have to be a budding film maker to get in on the action. When you visit http://www.KlondikeContest.com to rate your favorite videos you will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win $25,000 in cold hard cash. Fans can watch and vote for videos throughout the entire contest and are eligible to enter the sweepstakes once a day.

Contest Integration & Advertising Support

Promotional support surrounding the contest launched May 15 on two popular NBC network television shows. Klondike was featured during the May 15 season finale of "My Name Is Earl." During the episode, Earl's brother Randy shows some of the crazy things he would do for a Klondike Bar. Klondike also advertised in two spots during the show. Additionally, Klondike was the featured brand in a live television commercial on the May 15 airing of "The Tonight Show," and also advertised in two spots during the show.

Contest Abbreviated Rules

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Contest is open to entrants who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. states & D.C., 18 years or older. Contest is sponsored by Conopco, Inc., d/b/a Unilever and begins May 13, 2008 at 12:00 PM ET and ends July 31, 11:59 AM ET. For complete details, see the Official Rules, which govern, at http://www.KlondikeContest.com.

Sweepstakes Abbreviated Rules

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. The Sweepstakes is open to entrants who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. states & D.C., 18 years or older. Sweepstakes is sponsored by Conopco, Inc., d/b/a Unilever and begins June 2, 2008 at 12:00 PM ET and ends August 30, 11:59 AM ET. For complete details, see the Official Rules, which govern, at http://www.KlondikeContest.com.

About Klondike(R)

The original Klondike(R) Bar was handmade in the early 1900s by dipping square slices of ice cream into pans of rich, delicious milk chocolate. Until the 1970s, the Klondike Bar was sold only in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1978, distribution expanded into Florida, followed by New York and New England. Today, millions of Americans have come to love the Klondike Bar's delicious variety of frozen novelty products with the distinctive silver wrapper, square shape and famous chocolaty coating. The "What would you do for a Klondike Bar?" advertising slogan has become an American icon and commonly referenced in pop culture. Klondike Bars remain top selling novelties in the ice cream category.

About Unilever

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.

In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than 14,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $11 billion in sales in 2007. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com.

Media Contacts: Lindsey Auslander GolinHarris Public Relations (312)729-4366 lauslander@golinharris.com

SOURCE Klondike

Copyright 2008 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

Video of a Stork set to "Stork Patrol"

A fan puts the Andy Samberg (Lonely Island) song Stork Patrol to a video of a stork.

From the description:

Calling all storks, we're on a stork patrol. We have an APB out for three storks. Chicks fly the coop when you pull up to them birds.



Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Are you Kablamo?

Andy wants to know if you're Kablamo.



Well are you?

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Andy Samberg - Is he the least expendable cast member on SNL? (Washington Post article)

Check out the bold section below in this commentary on Saturday Night Live. Also note that this article confirms that SNL is starting early in the fall, and that it could start on September 13. The reason may be the short season this year, but it also might be attributed to (as this article says) the desire grab more ratings from the political race. While Andy keeps some people coming to he show and everyone going to the Internet, they need angles like political characters to get the ratings up (and I think more character-driven skits, ala Will Ferrell, Mike Meyers, etc.)


----------------



Crossing the Finish Line, 'SNL' Shows Some Late Kick



By Tom Shales
Monday, May 19, 2008; C01

From:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/18/AR2008051802321_pf.html



Loping, romping and sometimes crawling to the finish line, "Saturday Night Live" ended another season on NBC with a show that featured Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential candidate, in fine comic fettle, with the regular cast members' fettle even finer. Although the written material was spotty, the cast managed to have a party with it, and the viewing nation responded.

Based on Nielsen overnight ratings from 56 metered markets, "SNL's" season finale -- hosted by actor Steve Carell -- scored better than any show on any network in prime time that night. The 5.4 rating/13 share (roughly 6 1/2 million viewers) was also the best showing for an "SNL" season finale in three years. This was, of course, an abnormal season, with the writers' strike shortening it by five shows and some episodes being run twice in the same month.

Next season, its 34th, will be unusual, as well, because of the presidential election and the fact that "SNL" seems most heavily watched when political passions are running high. Normally, the show would return for a new season mere weeks before Election Day, but to make the most of the event, "SNL" will return in September (possibly as early as Sept. 13), with occasional Thursday night prime-time political specials also scheduled and a "Presidential Bash" special set to air Nov. 3, the night before the election.

It's a heavy load, but the current cast -- expected to return intact in the fall -- can handle it. "SNL" can boast one of the best and most resourceful ensembles since its legendary and now iconic first five years, when John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Garrett Morris and other founding funsters burst upon the American scene, ran riot and changed TV comedy almost overnight.

While the current cast lacks a powerhouse ringleader like Will Ferrell, the comic talent seems more evenly distributed and the dead weight more scarce than in many a season past.

As has been noted here and elsewhere, the cast is especially strong on the female side, which in the past had been the weaker sex. Amy Poehler is a dynamo whose raw energy and determination can rescue all but the most miserable material. She will be back next season, an NBC spokesman said yesterday, but will be taking some weeks off for maternity leave. Her baby is due in the fall.

Kristen Wiig, another astoundingly versatile performer, really blossomed this season and is expected to return next. She has developed a repertory of quixotic characters who are fiendishly funny even though they'd be intolerably irritating if encountered in real life. Wiig didn't have quite as much to do as usual on the season finale, though one audience member said she did the show's warm-up very effectively, singing instead of telling jokes. She also brightened up the very last sketch in the show, a musical spoof about a couple (Wiig and Carell) planning for their first child. It was a lot better than the very first sketch in the show. Carell proved an especially hard-working host, appearing in more of the sketches than many hosts have done.

Wiig and Poehler, both tremendous talents, have managed a neat trick often cited as one of Lucille Ball's signature feats: being funny and attractive at the same time. Newcomer Casey Wilson, added as a featured player when the show returned after the strike, may be promoted to cast member in order to handle some of Poehler's chores when she's away.

Among the male cast members, Andy Samberg is easily the least expendable, having made a name for himself in the "SNL Digital Shorts" that air each week and then move to the Internet. Samberg can do outrageous farce or subtle spoofs. Darrell Hammond, who has been with the show longer than any other cast member, continues to contribute inspired and definitive impressions of showbiz stars and political figures.

McCain won't be joining the cast, of course, having other preoccupations, but he did a first-class job in two appearances on the season finale. It was strange that Executive Producer Lorne Michaels chose to open the show with a childish skit about naughty names and not, as has become a tradition this season, with a political sketch -- especially with McCain conveniently right there in the building.

In his first appearance, McCain sat at a vaguely presidential desk and addressed "My fellow Americans" (twice, having been drowned out by applause the first time) and suggested that when choosing the next president, Americans should look for "someone who is very, very, very old." The segment was written by James Downey, who has authored most of the "cold open" political sketches.

McCain showed up again during the mock newscast "Weekend Update," denouncing, among other things, a "device that can jam 'Gaydar.' " He also reiterated the assertion that he has "the oldness necessary" to be president. One thing that might get old quickly -- and maybe already has -- are jokes about McCain's age, many of them recycled Ronald Reagan lines. But if McCain himself makes them, they can't be considered very offensive.

Usher, the way-cool pop star, performed twice, the second song being by far the more impressive. It was inventively choreographed, replete with two slinky babes who not only walked but danced in what looked like the highest heels on the planet. Any higher and they would have surely gone face first into the floor.

"SNL" season finales are rarely among the best shows of whatever season is being completed. The exhaustion of the entire company, those before and behind the cameras, seems palpable even to us out here in television land. But viewers sort of share in this rather than merely observe it. Certainly the old hip boast that "I never watch 'Saturday Night Live' " seems like ancient history now, and the exhilarating excellence of the current cast is probably the chief reason why.



Enjoy!

Remake of The Mirror - Pickwick



The Pickwick version of the Ellen Page and Andy Samberg SNL digital short. Made for the 2008 Pickwick Variety Show.

Clickems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ7TKlwqIGI



-----------------------

A pretty good remake that isn't too dark. Nice job on the gags in the middle (cool whip and camera), and also a Good Dracula scene at the end.

E-joy!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Andy Samberg - Teaches at Pounder School

Commencement Open



The Pounder School presents the class of 08

Andy cameos it up as one of the teachers at Pounder School.



Aah. Name jokes. Didn't Robert Deniro do one of these too?

The cold opening from the 5/17/08 episode of Saturday Night Live (Steve Carrell & Usher).

Enjoy!

Saturday Night Live starting a month earlier in the fall

Good news for Andy fans...

Unless Andy quits or doesn't get his contract renewed (the latter is NOT going to happen), we'll see Andy a month earlier in the fall! Also, please note that Fred "thinks" it's true, so it might not be final yet.

From Fred's blog:

It's always a little sad on the last week of the season. I feel like everyone loves being there, and the heavy schedule allows me to ignore everything else in my life. Summer is the time for facing all of that! But the cast does hang out with each other on the off weeks, and I think we are starting a month earlier in the fall.

Fred also talks about his GTA4 impression:



Full blog:
http://blog.nbc.com/fred/2008/05/shia_labeoufmy_morning_jacket.php

Fred also recalls the Scared Straight skit that Andy was in:

My favorite memory of this one was watching Kenan do that "Scared Straight" character. He did it at the read-through on Wednesday and right away it killed me. Oh my god it made me laugh. He pronounced 'sit down' like "thiddaaown!"




And the best comments from the cheap seats (a.k.a. the comments section):

(Note: Some of these comments were removed for space reasons)

Trevor D:
Make a CD of all the digital shorts and skits that have singing in it. For instance like the newest SNL Digital Short can be on it also some songs from Blizzard man. I believe many fans of SNL would purchase this on Itunes. Keep up the good work.

Warren:
Please tell Seth Myers to have that massive mole of his on the left side of his neck checked out.
That thing is so huge it's a wonder the make-up department doesn't cover it. Maybe they don't have enough stuff.
It should get billing, just after Casey, it is so big.
I was trying to watch Update but all I could see was that mole. It seemed angry.

Colby:
What I loved this week ...
- Shia. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite hosts for the show.
- It's a Match. Shia's "little magic guy"
- Admirers. The initial shot of Andy had me rolling, then Bill's expression took it to another level.
Can't wait 'til Saturday with Carell. Keep up the great work, Fred.

Bri:
Loved the GTA bit. Didn't you, Jason, and Bill do voices for the newest GTA game?
This was an excellent show - can't wait to see what Saturday's will bring.

Colby:
(GTA game voices) Fred does ... Hot Dog vendor I think, which surprised me because it doesn't sound anything like him.
While we're on that subject, I rarely listen to any of the radio stations except for the talk radio. Jason's over-the-top, right-wing character is hilarious.

Jack:
OH and are you guys gonna mention anything about the guy that got arrested cause he threw M&Ms at a cop? LOL


----------------------------

Some interesting comments there, especially about Fred, Jason, and Bill doing voices in GTA4 and the idea about SNL releasing a music CD (mostly with Andy's Digital Short songs and some Blizzard Man).

Enjoy!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Andy Samberg - is CPR assistant Greg

CPR Class

CPR saves lives, in general

From 5/17/08 - Steve Carrell & Usher



Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

This is exactly the kind of skit that SNL needs at this point!

This is the type of skit Will Ferrell used to crank out between his characters!

Good job, Andy, doing another skit that helps establish you as a major player on the show. This one is more like Andy's two Kuatto skits (pardies of Total Recall).

We want more like this, Andy!

By far, I think this was the funniest skit on the 5/17 show. Agree?

Enjoy!

Saturday Night Live: 5/17/08 - Steve Carrell & Usher

Saturday Night Live: 5/17/08 - Steve Carrell & Usher



Watch the skits from last night's episode without any commercials. We go through these episodes looking for Andy Samberg skits. So we post all of them here. Enjoy!



Amy's preggers.



Commencement Open

The Pounder School presents the class of 08



Aah. Name jokes. Didn't Robert Deniro do one of these too?

Small cameo from Andy as a teacher.

Here's a non-political and non-news-event cold open. Pretty rare.



Steve Carell Monologue

Steve comes clean about some Red Bulls



Steve mostly bursts out in um, bursts. It gets better... Nice door gag. Nice audience gag. Steve runs into Nancy Walls, his wife and former SNL cast member. Steve and Nancy also worked on the Daily Show together (both were fairly limited though).



McCain in One

McCain has the other guys beat, in years



No McCain jokes on SNL before now, but at least they put him on the show this week!

Wow. He delivers these jokes very straight. He also does a good job of poking fun at himself and pushing his political agenda at the same time. Mad skills.



Bless This Child

Two parents ask for blessings for their flexible baby doll



Yeah. Steve and Kristen throw around a baby. It ends well.



Update: Jackson / Sharpton

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton urge Barack Obama



"It's a race race!" "Embrace your race. For you cannot erase your face."

More Obama jokes abound. They play the race card for the humor here.

"I wouldn't even leave your house until November."



Update: Sen. McCain

Senator McCain drops by Weekend Update



Up until now, SNL has only featured Republican nominees who dropped out. This is the first time they've featured a Republican nominee who can actually use the exposure for his race.

Hahahahaha!!! This is a hilarious gag, and John, Amy, and Seth really nail this gag.

"That's right. Fight amongst yourselves."

It's also good to see some emotion from MacCain in this one.

"Hey. Let's put both of them on the ballot."

"I also thought John Edwards has a lot of good ideas..."



Charlie Flitt Show

Charlie has used to be a fat guy- just ask him.



Steve dancing. I like how John popped out and surprised Amy. And then again with the audience. =^)

You can see a stage hand resetting the break-away poster. Nice Bill Hader gag.



Clinton / Obama Ad

There can only be one.



More Obama and Hilary jokes.



Digital Short: The Japanese Office

Ricky Gervais presents the inspiration for The Office



Wow. They got Ricky Gervais involved in this one. It's mostly just Japanese versions of and references to the American show.



Deal or No Deal

One man loses it all, badly.



Will Forte does a good old man. Kristen is funny. Yeah this is pretty much all Kristen.




And now the Andy Samberg skit...



CPR Class

CPR saves lives, in general



Noice.


Technically, Andy also cameo'd in the cold open at the top (Commencement Open).


Enjoy!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Andy Samberg - Has no idea why Chris Parnell got fired



The other day, my brother and I were discussing whether Andy Samberg was funny. I've laughed heartily and repeatedly at several of his sketches ("Lazy Sunday," of course, and the gonzo "Taco Town"), but is he just another shaggy-haired ironist? A self-regarding purveyor of cheap absurdities? Said discussion ended with my brother's obvious answer: "Dude. He's hilarious. Look at his face."

Yes, the subtleties of funniness can be hard to pinpoint, and talking to me, Samberg's in no hurry to try. But if anything, he's a shaggy-haired sincere-ist, and impossible not to like — he greets me with a duderiffic "Pedro!" and comes off as completely unaffected, humble and most of all grateful, eager to throw props in every direction. As one grows older, it can be hard not to resent young, giddy success. Samberg makes you happy for him. — Peter Smith

So, I haven't gotten to see Hot Rod yet.

Well, let me just help you out: it's great.

That's good to hear. Actually, you sounded a little equivocal about it in that New York profile. You weren't sure the movie had gotten weird enough for you.

Akiva and I talked about that after that article came out. We don't actually feel like it's not weird enough. It's plenty crazy. We talked about specific scenes with that guy because we were in the editing process. And it came across like we were disgruntled. But actually, the studio gave us a lot of creative freedom. Lorne protected us really nicely. He made us look cooler, which we appreciated. The truth of the matter is, the movie's plenty strange, especially for a studio film.

The script was written for Will Ferrell, and you retrofitted it. What were some specific changes you made?

It was so well-written, you couldn't read it and not envision Ferrell doing it. It was so clearly his voice. So the first thing we had to do, unfortunately, was take a lot of that stuff away. We didn't want it to seem like I was doing a Ferrell impression. Then you start layering back in stuff that we find funny, that's really more comfortable for me to perform. I don't know exactly how to describe our own kind of humor, but you can track through the stuff we've done for the Lonely Island, the digital shorts — that's all in the movie now.

SNL and your comic style are a weird match. The show tends to go for traditional stuff, and you've got this surreal, absurd style, more like Stella or Mr. Show. Would you rather being doing your own stuff?

Well. . . I'm flattered to be compared to Mr. Show and Stella. At the same time, political or not, I do love SNL and have my whole life. And I feel like when SNL's at it's best, it's more that way. When I look back on it, stuff that I always loved was pretty surreal and strange.



So what are your favorite sketches from the past?

Oh, there's a lot! I used to love Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. And then when Sandler and Farley and Spade got there, it definitely got very strange. And then honestly, when Ferrell was there, with people like Adam McKay and Andrew Steele writing for him, some of that stuff was insane. And even TV Funhouse. That stuff's very surreal as well. So I feel like it's always been there. Hopefully we're just carrying on that tradition.

I guess there's always been Toonces the Driving Cat.

God, I love Toonces! So strange.

Speaking of SNL, why do you think Chris Parnell got fired after "Lazy Sunday" was like the biggest hit SNL had in years?

I. . . I wouldn't even begin to guess. I have no idea.

It seems strange to you?

Yes, in that I love him, and no, in that everything I've ever known about the show has been a little bit brutal — it's a little bit of a revolving door there. But at the same time, I think once you work at SNL and do well there as he did, you're okay.



You wore a National Organization of Women shirt to the Spike TV Awards —

I did! Thank you for noticing! I thought it would be funny, because obviously Spike TV is very in the opposite direction. You know, we were promoting the movie, and it was a good time with a lot of fun people we liked. We went and had fun, but you know, I'm from Berkeley, California, I can't go into that thing wholeheartedly. I had to put a little wink in somewhere to let everyone know back home that I hadn't gone all the way.

I was reading a feminism blog that was trying to decide whether you were sincere or ironic.

[laughs] Totally sincere.

Do you worry about reviews?

Mmm. . . not really. If we think it's good, that's all that matters. And generally that's been supported by people's opinions. We've also tried to look at the way things we like were reviewed throughout our lives. If you look back, movies like Billy Madison, Ace Ventura, formative movies in our formative years, were panned. And now I think a lot of people from our generation consider them classics, and it doesn't matter that they got bad reviews.

Variety gave Hot Rod a mixed review, but it did say you had a sex appeal rare for a male comedian.

I never know how to respond to that. I don't consider myself like that, and certainly don't put myself in that category, and when I look in the mirror I don't see what they're saying. I've got a bit of a haircut, I guess, and maybe that puts me ahead of the pack or something.

Has your fame resulted in a lot of female attention?


Um. . . I don't think any more than anyone. I think fame's just something people are attracted to. Generally, that's not the way I want to be viewed. That's as shallow as it gets. I still see myself as a big dork; people just give me nicer clothes now.

Do you worry about "keeping it real?"

Yes and no. I feel like I don't have too much trouble with that. I've done all my work with the same two friends since junior high school. In comedy, it's a lot easier, too. We're just the next guys doing rubber dong jokes.

It's a proud lineage.

It is indeed!

New SNL This Week - Steve Carrell & Usher

Updated with Kristen Wiig and Steve Carrell promos!

--------------------

Steve Carrell's not so funny in these announcements for this week's episode.



Could this be a bad sign for this week's episode? Last week, Andy and Shia pulled off what is arguably the funniest SNL commercial ever with their roof garden tour (you're welcome), only to follow it up with what was arguably the funniest overall SNL episode in years. Was it a fluke? Will it continue this week?

Amy joins in this one, but it's still unfunny:




But then Steve pulls through with thse amusing promos with Kristen...

Steve Carell Promos w/ Kristen

Steve and Kristen walk into a bar...





So what would you like to see Andy Samberg do with Steve Carrell? Steve doesn't seem like the singing type, but he still did pretty good singing at the end of 40 Year Old Virgin. Maybe Andy could do a sweet R&B with Usher?

Enjoy!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Andy Samberg - Is Stuart Magnolia (He answers the phones)

Andy Samberg is... Stuart Magnolia (He answers the phones)

From Chester:

Ardy donned his threadbare acting shoes for the Comedy Central Telethon hosted by Stephen Colbert. When asked for comment, Ardy had this to say:

"I decided that it was really important to me to help promote XBox this holiday season, because really, how else was I going to get on camera with Stephen Colbert? I tried to get the other two Dudes involved, but apparantly their hair isn't nearly "wacky" enough for Comedy Central. I suggested hair gel, but the big brass over at CC just laughed and said, 'In this biz, you either got it, or you don't'. At which point I asked, "Wacky hair?' and they responded, 'Yes'. So that's my story!"

Conrats Ardy, your hair truly is the wackiest! Check the goodies:

http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/andyxbox.mpg

From November 2004.

Remake of Laser Cats - con chicas (with girls)



A remake of the Andy Samberg and Bill Hader SNL digital short for the 2008 Pickwick Variety Show.

Clickems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1KW9Gb34Iw




-----------------------

A noticeable lack of laser effects, but other than that, these ladies did a pretty noice job.



E-joy!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Andy Samberg - Stole Grand Theft Auto (Scared Straight)

Scared Straight



3 shoplifters get a graphic, yet weirdly familiar, warning from ex-con Macintosh

WARNING: A little too graphic on the sexual jokes, which, of course, is a joke.



-----------------------------

Nice homage back to Chris Farley's Mike Foley. This version has a few different gags for Kenan to use: movie plots and graphical sexual descriptions.

Enjoy!

Saturday Night Live: 5/10/08 - Shia LeBeouf

Saturday Night Live: 5/10/08 - Shia LeBeouf



While looking for Andy videos, we found several videos from this week's episode that do not feature Andy Samberg.

So sit back and enjoy videos from what I think was the most well rounded episode of Saturday Night Live that I've seen for the past few years. Each skit was funny. While the Digital Short wasn't the best, it was still funny, and even the commercials between Andy and Shia were so funny that they should have shown them on the show as well.

You can watch all the videos here without waiting for advertisements.

Enjoy!



Message from Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton gives her take on the Democratic nomination



This video is pretty funny. It's definitely the funniest political video I've seen them do for the last few seasons, and Amy pulled it off by herself. Great job!

Interestingly, there is a comment from someone who claims to be Amy Poehler (and sounds an awful lot like what she'd say, except maybe for "whacked"):

"Anyone who doesn't understand that this is a satire on the mass media is seriously whacked! They will say anything to sell a media blurb, but we thought it would be fun to show the very funny twisted distortion of the truth they propagate. So any of you Hillary, Obama, or McCain fans out there, sorry to disappoint you, but this is about the mass media, SNL is nonpartisan. I hope you enjoyed it! :) Stay tuned for next week..."




Shia LaBeouf Monologue

Shia LaBeouf answers questions about the latest Indiana Jones movie



This is what I think is Darrell Hammond's only appearance. He appears as Sean Connery. Classic stuff.




Suze Orman

Suze has some amazing, creative, money tips!



The collar gag just about killed me. =^)




Girls Trying on Clothes

A mom and her daughters adopt the New York funky-style, no, yes!



I didn't find this one funny. Other people did, but I think this was the only unfunny skit from the episode. I guess the humor here was just seeing Shia in drag.




It's a Match

Murder visits the set of It's a Match!



The SNL players are pretty much not funny here, but Shia makes this skit unbelievably great!!!

This joke reminds me of the enormously popular David Blaine Street Magic series on YouTube. It's a parody sketch of David Blaine done in the style of a digital short:






Weekend Update: Part 1

Weekend Update with Grand Theft Auto, Liberty City Residents, Vlad and Niko



We also some nice gags at the beginning, and Seth coming on to Amy at the end.




Weekend Update: Part 2

Weekend Update with French Def Jam Comedian, Jean K. Jean





And here are the Andy Samberg skits. I wanted to include all the skits because this episode was so good. You've got to see all the skits together to appreciate how well rounded this episode was.




MacGruber: Father and Son

Explosive revelations tear apart the bond of family

Warning: Sexual jokes abound.





Vinny Talks: Shia LaBeouf

Vinny Vedecci sits down with Shia LaBeouf on Italian TV



Andy flips the switch a little too late.




He Likes You

Room full of guys with the same thing on their mind



My favorite skit from this episode. Did Andy write this? It totally seems like his humor, especially the singing.




Scared Straight

3 shoplifters get a graphic, yet weirdly familiar, warning from ex-con Macintosh






SNL Digital Short: The Best Look in the World

Dress shirt, black socks, no pants...





Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Andy Samberg - Has a rubber face (Museum Gala)

The American Museum of Natural History - Annual Museum Gala

November 07



Kenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, and Andy Samberg



Bonus pic:



Amy Poehler, Jorma Taccone, Will Forte, Seth Meyers, and Jason Sudeikis

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Andy Samberg - Likes You (one thing on his mind)

He Likes You



Andy Samberg is the first and most awkward of these guys with one thing on their minds...

6 guys with the same thing on their mind



Okay. I think this was hands down the funniest skit of this week's SNL. It's just way too funny and random. Disagree?

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - Is Scott, the gay friend of MacGruber's Son

MacGruber: Father and Son



Explosive revelations tear apart the bond of family

Andy's gay jokes continue...

WARNING: Lots of sexual jokes here.



Andy is on near the end.

Andy Samberg is Scott, the gay friend of Shia and assists in the funniest gag of these shorts, when Shia kisses Kristen.

Enjoy!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Andy Samberg - Has the Best Look in the World

Andy Samberg and Shia Lebeouf have the best look in the world.

SNL Digital Short: The Best Look in the World



Dress shirt, black socks, no pants...



So, what do you think?

This is a classic Jorma gag, specifically his rap, "My Pants." He also had this gag in the theme of Awesometown (and The Bu Episode 8). Plus, on the making of video of Hot Rod, Jorma walked around on the set without any pants.

I think this joke was more effective as a hardcore rap than a country song, especially because Andy and Shia are slightly off-key. I think Andy should do more raps, get other guys like Jason involved more often (Jason did Young Chuck Norris, and Will Forte can also sing well). Plus Andy should be taking voice lessons so that he can have a bigger range in his singing ability.

So, overall, I had a hard time enjoying the jokes due to the voices being off-key. However, the more often I watch it, the more I enjoy the gags and find this short hilarious.

What do you think?

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - Drops the Snakes (Vinny Talks with Shia LeBeouf)

Vinny Talks: Shia LaBeouf



Vinny Vedecci sits down with Shia LaBeouf on Italian TV



Lorne, Fred, Will, and Bill help sell the smoking gag. Mad props go to Andy and Bill for the snake gag. We all saw it coming, but Andy made it even funnier with the sign.

Enjoy!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Andy Samberg - and Shia Lebeuf give you a tour

Andy and Shia announce upcoming episode, and take us on a tour



Shia's back! Must be that Indiana movie.

Bonus:



Enjoy!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Andy Samberg: Pro-feminist or ironic hipster douche?



Andy Samberg: Pro-feminist or ironic hipster douche?


Andy Samberg sported a California NOW shirt to the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards this week. Feministing is unsure how we feel about this. Was he making fun of Spike? Making fun of NOW? Or perhaps some meta hipster combination of both?

(Of course another option is that us Feministing gals have way too much time on our hands.)


------------------

Note: In an interview, Andy answered that the shirt was 100% sincere.

Ian McShane - Talks about fighting Andy Samberg



Actor rides from saloon to 'Hot Rod'

When clouds of uncertainty gathered over the future of "Deadwood,” Ian McShane was ready to ride for sunnier territory.

So, he moved from playing a cutthroat frontier saloon impresario to the role of abusive modern-day stepfather, which doesn't sound like a lighter turn at all, until it's known that his latest film is "Hot Rod,” an outrageous comedy about an Evel Knievel wannabe from executive producer Lorne Michaels and a new generation of "Saturday Night Live” stars.

"Oh yeah, it was a lot of fun. Always, working with fresh young talent. They're good,” McShane said in his familiar, breathy baritone during a recent hotel press gathering.

The classically trained British actor has long plied his trade in more serious roles on stage, screen and television, often portraying villains, the most dastardly being Al Swearengen, ruthless and larcenous proprietor of the Gem Saloon, who ruled the muddy mining camp of Deadwood through violence, crookery and fear — until production of the award-winning HBO series was suspended after two seasons. "Deadwood” creator David Milch had put the innovative, Shakespearean-styled Western on hold to launch a new series about a dysfunctional surfing family called "John From Cincinnati.”

Having won a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy nomination and enhanced international star status for his work on "Deadwood,” McShane was not happy about the rude interruption. But was that any reason to turn to such cinematic silliness as "Hot Rod,” when so many more substantial roles beckon?

"Well it's nice to be offered something,” he said modestly. "I mean, I'd just finished ‘We Are Marshall,' and after doing that, which was a rather weepy movie, we heard that ‘Deadwood' had been canceled. So, it was either laugh or cry. I guess it was better to laugh, so this came at a perfect time.”

"Hot Rod” stars "Saturday Night Live” regular Andy Samberg as Rod Kimble, a 20-something case of arrested emotional development who has no job, still lives at home and dreams only of becoming a stuntman like his late father, a Knievel test-rider who died in his prime — or so says Rod's mom (Sissy Spacek). When Rod's not risking his neck jumping milk trucks on his moped, he is constantly challenging his stepfather, Frank (McShane), to basement brawls in order to earn his respect. Frank cheerfully beats the stuffing out of Rod every time, taunting him all the while.

When Frank's heart goes bad, requiring an expensive operation, Rod sets out to raise the money by making the jump of his life, so that he can get Frank well and finally kick his rear end.

Samberg, 28, admits McShane, 64, was a little daunting during their rec-room battles.

"McShane was in great shape,” he said. "I would be winded, and he'd be like, ‘Come on, come on,' and you're just flippin' each other around rollin' on the floor, and it was cool. ... I got banged up a bunch, and I'm sure he did, too. But of course, he doesn't complain about it because he's a professional.”

McShane agreed. "Oh, I whacked him around,” he said with a devilish Swearengen grin. "Well, he's a wimp, you know? Get used to it. No, he's delightful. I had a good time. ... I hadn't done any physical comedy, so you learn a lot. I think whatever age you are, you stop learning, give it up. Don't go to work anymore. ... What, ominous pause there? That was profound. I like that.”

McShane will get serious again in the upcoming horror thriller "Case 39,” playing a good-guy detective opposite Renee Zellweger, followed by the adventure-fantasy "The Dark is Rising,” which features him in an Obi-Wan Kenobi-like character. Additionally, his distinctive voice can be heard in the animated features "Kung Fu Panda,” "Coraline” and "His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass.” Then he returns to Broadway in a fall revival of Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming.”

So, "Deadwood” may seem far behind him now, but McShane isn't sure the Dakota dust has settled yet. There is still a long chance, he said, that two final two-hour episodes will be filmed — if Milch and HBO don't wait too long, and too many cast members aren't committed elsewhere.

"I'd like to think we'll do it, because it was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had working in any medium,” he said. "And you have to think about all those people (in the cast). It was too sudden; it was done in a weird way. It was all sort of suddenly taken away from you. ... It was a little cruel on everybody. But that's showbiz, right?”

From:
http://newsok.com/article/3097420

Friday, May 09, 2008

Andy Samberg - Leaves Jorma a message (Hey you guys)

From Chester:

We all know that Jorm likes to tinker with the beat machine, but check out what he did with this long and annoying answering machine message (that may or may not be Ardy ;) The message's theme seems to be
Hey You Guys. Oh, those creative DUDES! HA!!!!


http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/HeyYouGuys.mp3


So there you go. This is what happens (possibly) when Andy Samberg leaves Jorma a message, "Hey, you guys."

Found by Chester in November, 2004.


Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - Is a feminist



Remember two months back when Andy Samberg wore a "National Organization for Women, Berkeley" shirt to the Spike TV awards? There was a debate over at Feministing as to whether Samberg was being an ironic hipster or a sincere guy. Today, Nerve has posted an interviewwith the Hot Rod star, where he clears up the issue:

'Totally sincere. I thought it would be funny, because obviously Spike TV is very in the opposite direction... but you know, I'm from Berkeley, California, I can't go into that thing wholeheartedly. I had to put a little wink in somewhere to let everyone know back home that I hadn't gone all the way.'
But there's more!


Peter Smith, who interviews Samberg for the piece, mentions how although Hot Rod (which was originally written for Will Ferrell) received mixed reviews from Variety, the trade paper did make mention of Samberg's sex-appeal. Samberg responds:

"I never know how to respond to that. I don't consider myself like that, and certainly don't put myself in that category, and when I look in the mirror I don't see what they're saying. I've got a bit of a haircut, I guess, and maybe that puts me ahead of the pack or something."

Cute! Then when Smith asks Samberg whether his fame has led to more attention from the fairer sex:

I think fame's just something people are attracted to. Generally, that's not the way I want to be viewed. That's as shallow as it gets. I still see myself as a big dork; people just give me nicer clothes now.'

Andy, we're big dorks, too. We have so much in common already! Call us!


From:
http://jezebel.com/gossip/dick-in-our-box/dear-maybe-movie-star-andy-samberg-feminist-chicks-dig-you-285673.php

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Andy Samberg - Is cool with Shia



Andy greets Shia LaBeouf at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards - Andy comes full circle from writing to attending.

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - On the 2004 MTV Movie Awards

2004 MTV Movie Awards



Talk about your old news. =^)

Still, it's fun to dig into Andy's past...


Andy as a reporter (with Kiv):



Bigger:
http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/MTVRep.jpg



Andy with Jimmy Falon, who helped get him on SNL:



Bigger:
http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/MTVAward.jpg


We're putting this in Images 05, cuz we don't want to make an 04 category. =^)


From:
http://thelonelyisland.blogspot.com/2004/09/mtv-movie-awards.html

Enjoy!


So the story is that Andy Samberg (and the dudes) wrote for the MTV Movie Awards in 04 and 05. MTV didn't pick up their sitcom or Awesometown, but they still hired them to write for very little (they paid all three of them one writer's salary), and the dudes did it to get experience and connections.

Well, it paid off, and Jimmy Falon recommended them to Lorne Michaels. Andy and Jorma auditioned in 2005. Andy got the job after the second audition, and Jorma and Kiv got hired as writers/musicians/editors/directos. That brings us up to date!

- TAE

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Andy Samberg - Sings about Thumpasaurus (in 2002)

It was 2002, and The Lonely Island made a rap song that never got made into a video.

Yeah. That's right...

Thumpasaurus



Click to listen:

http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/Thumpasaurus.mp3

Chez found this 2002 rap song on a cassette tape in 2004.

Enjoy!

Andy Samberg - With Maya (03/12/2007)

Let's travel back in time...


03/12/2007

22nd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Waldorf Astoria



Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Andy Samberg - Is M'Hague (Lonely Island song)

From Chester:

Did you know Ardy is Irish? It's true! He comes from a long line of Irish folk singers. When his great-grandparents came to Ellis Island their last name was O'Samberg. It was only when Ardy came to Hollywood in the early eighties that he dropped the O' to better assimilate to his new surroundings. Now he's reclaiming his roots by recording a collection of songs from the old country on his new album, "Oy, This Potato Famine!". Check out the lead off single M'Hague.

http://www.thelonelyisland.com/chez/MHague.mp3

Enjoy!

Posted December 2004

Andy Samberg - Is the assistant encoder of programming (G-4, 2004)



Andy Samberg was on 2004's G-Phoria/G-4 award, which aired on the E! channel.

From:
http://thelonelyisland.blogspot.com/2004/09/g-phoria-awards-2004.html

Enjoy!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Andy Samberg - In Transit (LAX - 4/29/08)



Andy Samberg is all smiles as he departs Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday (4/29/08).



The Saturday Night Live funnyman was returning to the Big Apple after attending a series of meetings to discuss future film projects.



Andy was most recently at Northwestern University in Chicago where he spoke with students and did a slew of interviews with local media. Chatting with The Daily, Samberg shared where he gets his ideas for those famous digital shorts.



“All kinds of ways,” he revealed. “Sometimes I’ll think of something in the shower three weeks before the show or sometimes it’s literally be Friday afternoon and the show is the next day and we have to have a digital short, so we just sit down and lock our office door and try to come up with something. And sometimes it goes even later than that, as happened this past week. I don’t know if you guys saw the last digital short (Gnarls Barkley) actually did cancel. They’re our friends, so it’s no hard feelings, but we had a whole ‘nother idea, that by the way I thought of like two hours previous to that, so it was still cutting it pretty (expletive) close. We were all set up and ready to shoot and I was in that ridiculous wig and outfit and then they called and were like, we’re not coming.”



From:
http://www.fadedyouthblog.com/30720/andy-in-transit/

Enjoy!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Andy Samberg - Goes through Airport Security at LAX



From 4/29/08. The editorial says:

"This TSA agent at LAX probably saw Andy Samberg's "Iran So Far Away" SNL skit and came to the conclusion he really knows Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Instead of, you know, Fred Armisen looking very much like Ahmadinejad.

"Besides SNL, Samberg just wrapped voice work on a kids' movie set to be released in 2008 called "Space Chimps." In the CGI movie, Samberg's character is the grandson of the original chimp astronaut who is tapped by a NASA commander (Patrick Warburton) to join a mission to defeat an evil alien (Jeff Daniels)."

From:
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/1/81837/42650/travel/Funny+Travel:+Suspicious+Samberg

Note: Despite the connotations from the editorial, it doesn't seem that Andy actually got searched by security (beyond the normal pass that everyone goes through).

I think this is why a lot of celebrities fly private jets at private airports. That way they don't have to get hounded by the press and paparazzi when they go through security.

Enjoy!

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Andy Samberg - At LAX on April 29th, 2008



Those glasses won't hide you, Andy!!!! At, least, not without a top hat to hide your hair. And maybe something to hide your nose and chin... how about a Mexican wrestling mask?

Taken on April 29, 2008.

Image from:
http://jezebel.com/385596/andy-samberg-is-a-firstclass-feminist

Enjoy!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Andy Samberg - Breaks some lamps (Hot Rod deleted scene)

Another cut scene from Hot Rod.



You may need to crank up the volume a little.

They used some of the beginning of this shot in the movie. Andy Samberg's Rod gets angry and starts breaking some lamps.

It's funny how he comes back at the end.

Enjoy!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Andy Samberg - Plays with Toys (Hot Rod deleted scene)

This is a deleted scene from Hot Rod. Here Andy Samberg plays with toys. Then he has a conversation with Jorma about bathroom business while he's eating a sandwhich (that appears out of nowhere).



You'll have to crank up the volume to hear this version.

It's also pretty funny that Andy's shirt changed and he's wearing a headband the second time Jorma opens the door.

Enjoy!

- TAE

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