Dolly Parton cracks jokes and laughs so often that it isn’t out of the ordinary to hear her giggle on her records. She is quick to poke fun at herself and is happy to banter with interviewers whenever she gets the chance. There are some types of humor that Parton does not like, though. Her guitarist said Parton would cringe whenever she heard one.
Dolly Parton didn’t appreciate jokes about religion
Guitarist Don Roth traveled with Parton on tour and got to know her well. She was generally playful, but there were some forms of humor she would not tolerate. He learned this when he made a joke in front of her.
“I’m relatively sacrilegious and would make Easter jokes about Jesus turning water into wine by palming a grape fizzy, and she would just cringe and say, ‘Oh, please, Don, don’t,’” he said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash.
Dolly Parton didn’t appreciate jokes about religion
Guitarist Don Roth traveled with Parton on tour and got to know her well. She was generally playful, but there were some forms of humor she would not tolerate. He learned this when he made a joke in front of her.
“I’m relatively sacrilegious and would make Easter jokes about Jesus turning water into wine by palming a grape fizzy, and she would just cringe and say, ‘Oh, please, Don, don’t,’” he said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash.
- 5/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
On Friday nights — and special occasions! — IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Appointment Viewing for “Stoners, Seekers, Archivists, and Drinkers”
It took more than 1,700 miles and an honest-to-God movie theater for me to discover that the livestream I’ve been wanting my entire adult life tapes weekly just ten minutes down the street in LA. Yes, I had to fly all the way to New Orleans, Louisiana for The 2024 Overlook Film Festival to stumble onto the genius that is Museum of Home Video.
The found-footage livestream with a semi-hallucinogenic feel — described by its creators as “college radio for the...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Appointment Viewing for “Stoners, Seekers, Archivists, and Drinkers”
It took more than 1,700 miles and an honest-to-God movie theater for me to discover that the livestream I’ve been wanting my entire adult life tapes weekly just ten minutes down the street in LA. Yes, I had to fly all the way to New Orleans, Louisiana for The 2024 Overlook Film Festival to stumble onto the genius that is Museum of Home Video.
The found-footage livestream with a semi-hallucinogenic feel — described by its creators as “college radio for the...
- 4/20/2024
- by Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
In 1989, Dolly Parton hosted Saturday Night Live for the first and only time. While on the show, Parton poked fun at her appearance and parts of her career. Parton has always had a strong sense of humor and hasn’t been afraid to make fun of herself. When she arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, she only had two off-limit areas for the show.
Dolly Parton only had two requests as the host of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Parton spent her opening monologue poking fun at her appearance, proving that little would be off-limits when she hosted. She was happy to be a part of jokes at her own expense. SNL cast member Jan Hooks said this was a quality that made Parton one of her favorite guests. She only had two demands when she arrived to work on the episode.
Dolly Parton on ‘Saturday Night Live’ | NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images...
Dolly Parton only had two requests as the host of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Parton spent her opening monologue poking fun at her appearance, proving that little would be off-limits when she hosted. She was happy to be a part of jokes at her own expense. SNL cast member Jan Hooks said this was a quality that made Parton one of her favorite guests. She only had two demands when she arrived to work on the episode.
Dolly Parton on ‘Saturday Night Live’ | NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images...
- 4/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Hillary Clinton wasn’t impressed by Julia Sweeney’s 1993 “Saturday Night Live” impression of her then-teenage daughter, Chelsea Clinton.
Sweeney, 63, recalled the sketch while appearing on Wednesday’s episode of fellow “SNL” alums Dana Carvey and David Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast during a conversation about the show’s lack of female representation in the early ’90s. The group discussed how political figures, like Hilary and Sarah Palin, presented the show an opportunity to include women in sketches.
Spade then jogged Sweeney’s memory, recounting that she once played Chelsea, who was 13 years old at the time, stressing that her portrayal “rubbed somebody wrong.”
Read More: ‘SNL’ Star Julia Sweeney Reveals She Still ‘Gets A Lot Of S**t’ For ‘Pat’ Impression
“Yeah, Hillary,” Sweeney replied, revealing that the politician and former secretary of state “wrote a letter” to “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels, criticizing the sketch.
“People were...
Sweeney, 63, recalled the sketch while appearing on Wednesday’s episode of fellow “SNL” alums Dana Carvey and David Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast during a conversation about the show’s lack of female representation in the early ’90s. The group discussed how political figures, like Hilary and Sarah Palin, presented the show an opportunity to include women in sketches.
Spade then jogged Sweeney’s memory, recounting that she once played Chelsea, who was 13 years old at the time, stressing that her portrayal “rubbed somebody wrong.”
Read More: ‘SNL’ Star Julia Sweeney Reveals She Still ‘Gets A Lot Of S**t’ For ‘Pat’ Impression
“Yeah, Hillary,” Sweeney replied, revealing that the politician and former secretary of state “wrote a letter” to “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels, criticizing the sketch.
“People were...
- 8/31/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Julia Sweeney revealed on Dana Carvey and David Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast (via Entertainment Weekly) that Hillary Clinton was so upset over the show’s portrayal of her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, that she personally “wrote a letter” to showrunner Lorne Michaels. Sweeney played a teenage Chelsea in a January 1993 episode, with Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks playing Bill and Hillary, respectively (see photo above).
“People were saying how unattractively I was playing Chelsea, and all I did was not wear makeup and put braces on,” Sweeney said. “If you say that, you’re saying I’m unattractive!”
Sweeney maintained that she “wasn’t trying to play [Chelsea] unattractive,” but that doesn’t mean targeting someone’s child on national television was a smart idea. Clinton’s letter expressed her disapproval over the sketch, the cast member said. Variety has reached out to Clinton’s representative for comment.
“People were saying how unattractively I was playing Chelsea, and all I did was not wear makeup and put braces on,” Sweeney said. “If you say that, you’re saying I’m unattractive!”
Sweeney maintained that she “wasn’t trying to play [Chelsea] unattractive,” but that doesn’t mean targeting someone’s child on national television was a smart idea. Clinton’s letter expressed her disapproval over the sketch, the cast member said. Variety has reached out to Clinton’s representative for comment.
- 8/31/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Hillary Clinton was not pleased with how Saturday Night Live depicted daughter Chelsea in 1993, as revealed by former cast member Julia Sweeney during an interview on Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast.
Sweeney and the hosts recalled how after she played a teenaged Chelsea in a skit alongside Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks, Clinton “wrote a letter” to SNL creator Lorne Michaels to express her disapproval.
“People were saying how unattractively I was playing Chelsea, and all I did was not wear makeup and put braces on,...
Sweeney and the hosts recalled how after she played a teenaged Chelsea in a skit alongside Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks, Clinton “wrote a letter” to SNL creator Lorne Michaels to express her disapproval.
“People were saying how unattractively I was playing Chelsea, and all I did was not wear makeup and put braces on,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
I remember her hands trembling. They did not tremble. She was not afraid. She was too fired up, too righteous, too right to know fear in that moment.
My memory is tainted by the ensuing smear campaign, a campaign that did not end until today, when Sinéad O'Connor died at the infuriatingly young age of 56 -- and I'm probably a fool to believe this denigration will cease just because she's not around to defend herself anymore. I've never seen a popular musician face such unremitting scorn. Not even close. But O'Connor -- contrary to the narrative seared into our psyches by a media that could not bear her scorched-earth declaration that the Catholic Church is, charitable works be damned, a factory of institutionally abetted child abuse -- never stopped speaking her truth. That continues to be our truth and our shame.
That she did so with a shaved head, which...
My memory is tainted by the ensuing smear campaign, a campaign that did not end until today, when Sinéad O'Connor died at the infuriatingly young age of 56 -- and I'm probably a fool to believe this denigration will cease just because she's not around to defend herself anymore. I've never seen a popular musician face such unremitting scorn. Not even close. But O'Connor -- contrary to the narrative seared into our psyches by a media that could not bear her scorched-earth declaration that the Catholic Church is, charitable works be damned, a factory of institutionally abetted child abuse -- never stopped speaking her truth. That continues to be our truth and our shame.
That she did so with a shaved head, which...
- 7/26/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
If you're a fan of the late comedian Chris Farley, you've most likely seen his famous "Saturday Night Live" sketch "Chippendales Audition." It first aired on October 27, 1990, and was the first to feature Farley in a lead role. It's probably his most famous sketch, though it's not without controversy.
In the scene, host Patrick Swayze ("Dirty Dancing") plays Adrian and Farley plays Barney, two dancers auditioning to become part of the famous Chippendales dancers. Jan Hooks ("3rd Rock from the Sun"), Kevin Nealon ("Weeds"), and Mike Myers are there to judge them as they dance to "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy. The two of them dance together on the stage, with Swayze doing all the expert moves you'd expect and Farley honestly working just as hard. He was one of the kings of physical comedy, after all. Once the dancers finish their routines, they wait backstage and give each other pep talks.
In the scene, host Patrick Swayze ("Dirty Dancing") plays Adrian and Farley plays Barney, two dancers auditioning to become part of the famous Chippendales dancers. Jan Hooks ("3rd Rock from the Sun"), Kevin Nealon ("Weeds"), and Mike Myers are there to judge them as they dance to "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy. The two of them dance together on the stage, with Swayze doing all the expert moves you'd expect and Farley honestly working just as hard. He was one of the kings of physical comedy, after all. Once the dancers finish their routines, they wait backstage and give each other pep talks.
- 1/19/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
In Mike Myers’ new six-part Netflix series, “The Pentaverate,” the Canadian comedy legend plays eight new characters. Add them to a repertoire that includes such beloved weirdos as Wayne Campbell, Austin Powers, Dieter, Dr. Evil and Shrek, and the streamer seems eager to tout their partnership with the actor, pairing him with director David O. Russell for an hour-long mutual-appreciation session at the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival.
Asked by Russell to describe the idea that inspired the new show, Myers — who showed up, despite having lost his voice to seasonal allergies — flashed back to his 1993 feature “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” in which he played both main character Charlie Mackenzie and his dad, a cuckoo conspiracy nut who ranted about a secret society of the five wealthiest people in the world who run everything.
“In the last six years, just seeing the rise of all the weird...
Asked by Russell to describe the idea that inspired the new show, Myers — who showed up, despite having lost his voice to seasonal allergies — flashed back to his 1993 feature “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” in which he played both main character Charlie Mackenzie and his dad, a cuckoo conspiracy nut who ranted about a secret society of the five wealthiest people in the world who run everything.
“In the last six years, just seeing the rise of all the weird...
- 5/5/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Garth: What do you do if every time you see this one incredible woman, you think you’re gonna hurl?
Wayne: I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she’s yours. But if you spew and she bolts, it was never meant to be.
Sage advice from two legends. Really, this line from the original Penelope Spheeris-helmed Wayne’s World (1992) sort of encapsulates a lot about what makes that film so great: its strength is its expert ability to elucidate intelligent truths, covertly bundled in the ramblings of airheads.
That movie was released 30 (!) years ago today, February 14th, 1992. It’s time for a most excellent look back at the classic blockbuster comedy, for those of us who don’t want to live in the now. Party on.
First developed by star Mike Myers as a precocious preteen in the Canadian suburb of Scarborough, Ontario, the Wayne...
Wayne: I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she’s yours. But if you spew and she bolts, it was never meant to be.
Sage advice from two legends. Really, this line from the original Penelope Spheeris-helmed Wayne’s World (1992) sort of encapsulates a lot about what makes that film so great: its strength is its expert ability to elucidate intelligent truths, covertly bundled in the ramblings of airheads.
That movie was released 30 (!) years ago today, February 14th, 1992. It’s time for a most excellent look back at the classic blockbuster comedy, for those of us who don’t want to live in the now. Party on.
First developed by star Mike Myers as a precocious preteen in the Canadian suburb of Scarborough, Ontario, the Wayne...
- 2/15/2022
- by Alex Kirschenbaum
- Trailers from Hell
Undoubtedly, composer Marc Shaiman has had a hand in something in pop culture that you love dearly. “The American President,” “Hairspray,” “Smash,” “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut,” “Sister Act,” “The First Wives Club,” “Beaches,” the list goes on and on — and in every medium to boot. He needs one Oscar to go Egot, and is the go-to when you need some tuneful punch-up on awards ceremonies, anniversary shows and late-night mainstays. But even he gets surprised by some of the attention he gets.
Case in point: Shaiman was tapped to write a funny, highly meta credits song for “Soundtrack of Our Lives,” a limited-time-only June 2020 YouTube benefit for MusicCares’ Covid-19 relief fund. It was simply called “The End Titles,” and he not only wrote it, but sang it as well, super-imposed over an insanely starry mega-roll while posing queries such as “What is a best boy? Isn’t there a best girl?...
Case in point: Shaiman was tapped to write a funny, highly meta credits song for “Soundtrack of Our Lives,” a limited-time-only June 2020 YouTube benefit for MusicCares’ Covid-19 relief fund. It was simply called “The End Titles,” and he not only wrote it, but sang it as well, super-imposed over an insanely starry mega-roll while posing queries such as “What is a best boy? Isn’t there a best girl?...
- 8/26/2021
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
Maya Rudolph is one of six creative leaders in comedy honored for Variety‘s 2021 Power of Women. For more, click here.
When Maya Rudolph was a kid, she’d stage one-girl musicals in her living room and play make believe in empty corners of her mother’s recording studios, creating makeshift stages anywhere she could to satisfy her performing itch. Some 40 years later, though, she has so many platforms to choose from that it’s become genuinely overwhelming.
“Before any thoughts of quarantine, I was feeling very burned out,” she admits. “I was weirdly well on my way to retooling, and I think I’m still there. I feel less ashamed to admit that I would like to go a bit slower.”
Before the pandemic hit, Rudolph was booked solid. She had once again become an “SNL” mainstay to play then-Senator Kamala Harris, while her portrayal of a goofy, almighty...
When Maya Rudolph was a kid, she’d stage one-girl musicals in her living room and play make believe in empty corners of her mother’s recording studios, creating makeshift stages anywhere she could to satisfy her performing itch. Some 40 years later, though, she has so many platforms to choose from that it’s become genuinely overwhelming.
“Before any thoughts of quarantine, I was feeling very burned out,” she admits. “I was weirdly well on my way to retooling, and I think I’m still there. I feel less ashamed to admit that I would like to go a bit slower.”
Before the pandemic hit, Rudolph was booked solid. She had once again become an “SNL” mainstay to play then-Senator Kamala Harris, while her portrayal of a goofy, almighty...
- 5/5/2021
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
Alec Baldwin and 11 Other Actors Who’ve Played Donald Trump on Screen (Photos)
Phil Hartman, “Saturday Night Live” (1988-1990)
Long before Alec Baldwin donned a blond wig, the late Phil Hartman played Donald Trump in a series of sketches. The first mocked Donald and Ivana Trump (Jan Hooks) as out-of-touch rich people at Christmas-time, while later skits depicted the couple’s tabloid divorce.
Darrell Hammond, “Saturday Night Live” (1999-2011)
Before Baldwin, Hammond was the go-to impersonator of Trump, starting with two sketches in 1989 and then off and on in multiple sketches over the next decade. He even returned to don a too-long red tie when Trump was guest host in 2015.
Louis Ferreira, “Trump Unauthorized” (2005)
The Portugese-born actor — best known for his work on TV series like “Stargate Universe,” “Breaking Bad” and “S.W.A.T.” — starred as the real estate mogul-turned reality star in a 2005 ABC movie.
Jason Sudeikis, “Saturday Night Live” (2012)
In...
Phil Hartman, “Saturday Night Live” (1988-1990)
Long before Alec Baldwin donned a blond wig, the late Phil Hartman played Donald Trump in a series of sketches. The first mocked Donald and Ivana Trump (Jan Hooks) as out-of-touch rich people at Christmas-time, while later skits depicted the couple’s tabloid divorce.
Darrell Hammond, “Saturday Night Live” (1999-2011)
Before Baldwin, Hammond was the go-to impersonator of Trump, starting with two sketches in 1989 and then off and on in multiple sketches over the next decade. He even returned to don a too-long red tie when Trump was guest host in 2015.
Louis Ferreira, “Trump Unauthorized” (2005)
The Portugese-born actor — best known for his work on TV series like “Stargate Universe,” “Breaking Bad” and “S.W.A.T.” — starred as the real estate mogul-turned reality star in a 2005 ABC movie.
Jason Sudeikis, “Saturday Night Live” (2012)
In...
- 11/7/2020
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Rick Ludwin, an NBC stalwart of three decades who proved his value to the network both as a trusted liaison to Johnny Carson and an early champion of Jerry Seinfeld, died Sunday in Los Angeles, according to the network. He was 71.
Ludwin launched his show-biz odyssey with one legendary funnyman — the future executive did some joke-writing for Bob Hope — and later cemented his legacy with another comedy icon by supporting the game-changing Seinfeld when other executives at NBC were skeptical of airing a show that was infamously “about nothing.”
Seinfled (1989-1998) became one of the most lucrative primetime ventures in television history but Ludwin’s primary focus at NBC was guiding the network’s specials and late-night programming. Taking over the speciality in 1989, Ludwin held the high-profile post through 2011. That 22-year tenure made him a linchpin figure for Saturday Night Live — it also put him in the crossfire of the...
Ludwin launched his show-biz odyssey with one legendary funnyman — the future executive did some joke-writing for Bob Hope — and later cemented his legacy with another comedy icon by supporting the game-changing Seinfeld when other executives at NBC were skeptical of airing a show that was infamously “about nothing.”
Seinfled (1989-1998) became one of the most lucrative primetime ventures in television history but Ludwin’s primary focus at NBC was guiding the network’s specials and late-night programming. Taking over the speciality in 1989, Ludwin held the high-profile post through 2011. That 22-year tenure made him a linchpin figure for Saturday Night Live — it also put him in the crossfire of the...
- 11/11/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has acquired classic 90s sitcom Designing Women and will launch all seven seasons of the Linda Bloodworth-Thomason-created show on August 26, Women’s Equality Day.
The digital platform will air all 163 episodes of the series, which was produced by Bloodworth/Thomason Mozark Productions in association with Columbia Pictures Television for CBS, after striking a deal with Sony Pictures Television.
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
The pick up comes after a reboot of the show, written by original creator Bloodworth-Thomason, was developed last year by ABC.
Hulu’s head of originals Craig Erwich said that the show was “ahead of its time” when it launched. “We saw...
The digital platform will air all 163 episodes of the series, which was produced by Bloodworth/Thomason Mozark Productions in association with Columbia Pictures Television for CBS, after striking a deal with Sony Pictures Television.
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
The pick up comes after a reboot of the show, written by original creator Bloodworth-Thomason, was developed last year by ABC.
Hulu’s head of originals Craig Erwich said that the show was “ahead of its time” when it launched. “We saw...
- 7/26/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC will honor Luke Perry, who died this week after suffering a stroke, by airing the episode of “Saturday Night Live” that he hosted back in 1993.
The episode, which included Mick Jagger as the musical guest, will air as part of “SNL’s” classic set of shows at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on Saturday nights. Each week, “SNL” picks an old episode to air alongside its new episodes. In the eastern and central time zones, it will air prior to the new “SNL” Saturday, while in the mountain and pacific time zones, it will air after.
“SNL” has been airing live coast-to-coast for the past 2 seasons, meaning that it starts at 8:30 p.m. on the West Coast.
Also Read: 'Riverdale' Honors Luke Perry With 'In Memoriam' Tribute on First Episode to Air Since His Death
Perry hosted the 12th episode of season 18 on Feb. 6, 1993. This was Dana Carvey...
The episode, which included Mick Jagger as the musical guest, will air as part of “SNL’s” classic set of shows at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on Saturday nights. Each week, “SNL” picks an old episode to air alongside its new episodes. In the eastern and central time zones, it will air prior to the new “SNL” Saturday, while in the mountain and pacific time zones, it will air after.
“SNL” has been airing live coast-to-coast for the past 2 seasons, meaning that it starts at 8:30 p.m. on the West Coast.
Also Read: 'Riverdale' Honors Luke Perry With 'In Memoriam' Tribute on First Episode to Air Since His Death
Perry hosted the 12th episode of season 18 on Feb. 6, 1993. This was Dana Carvey...
- 3/10/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, the Hills on Fox’s “King of the Hill” did their one-stop shopping at the fake Mega Lo Mart. Soon, the Harts on Fox’s “Bless the Harts” will too.
“I talked to Mike Judge about using Mega Lo Mart for the Walmart big-box store on the show,” “Bless the Harts” creator Emily Spivey said Wednesday at the Television Critics Association press tour. “He was so sweet, he said yes.”
“I really feel like ‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Bless the Harts’ exist in the same world,” she added. “So Mega Lo Mart will be back on [TV].”
Also Read: 'The Simpsons' Renewed for Seasons 31 and 32 on Fox
Native North Carolinian Spivey cited “King of the Hill” as one of her own show’s predecessors that got making jokes about the South right.
“The gold standard for me was ‘The Andy Griffith Show...
“I talked to Mike Judge about using Mega Lo Mart for the Walmart big-box store on the show,” “Bless the Harts” creator Emily Spivey said Wednesday at the Television Critics Association press tour. “He was so sweet, he said yes.”
“I really feel like ‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Bless the Harts’ exist in the same world,” she added. “So Mega Lo Mart will be back on [TV].”
Also Read: 'The Simpsons' Renewed for Seasons 31 and 32 on Fox
Native North Carolinian Spivey cited “King of the Hill” as one of her own show’s predecessors that got making jokes about the South right.
“The gold standard for me was ‘The Andy Griffith Show...
- 2/6/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Here’s a scorchingly hot take: Matt Damon is really good at hosting Saturday Night Live.
Fine, perhaps that isn’t too controversial a position. But the 16-year gap between hosting appearances seems fairly nuts when watching how easily he slips into the ensemble of the show. Whereas his season premiere appearance as Brett Kavanaugh felt like an outsized cameo, this week’s performance displayed a comedic skillset that blended into whatever sketch the show threw at him. It’s incorrect to call the performance revelatory, given the depth and breadth of Damon’s career.
Fine, perhaps that isn’t too controversial a position. But the 16-year gap between hosting appearances seems fairly nuts when watching how easily he slips into the ensemble of the show. Whereas his season premiere appearance as Brett Kavanaugh felt like an outsized cameo, this week’s performance displayed a comedic skillset that blended into whatever sketch the show threw at him. It’s incorrect to call the performance revelatory, given the depth and breadth of Damon’s career.
- 12/16/2018
- by Ryan McGee
- Rollingstone.com
ABC is designing something exciting. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network has greenlit a sequel to the '80s TV show Designing Women.
From Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the original comedy centered on an Atlanta-based interior design business and the four women who run it. The cast included Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Meschach Taylor, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Alice Ghostley, Jan Hooks, and Judith Ivey. The series ran on CBS from 1986 to 1993.
Read More…...
From Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the original comedy centered on an Atlanta-based interior design business and the four women who run it. The cast included Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Meschach Taylor, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Alice Ghostley, Jan Hooks, and Judith Ivey. The series ran on CBS from 1986 to 1993.
Read More…...
- 9/15/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
ABC is rolling out the red carpet — or at least hanging up the red drapes — for the Designing Women. A sequel of the Emmy Award-winning comedy, which ran from 1986 to 1993 on CBS, has received a script commitment from the Alphabet Network, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Original series creator Linda Bloodworth Thomason and executive producer Harry Thomason are behind the new multi-cam series, which will “follow the next generation of Sugarbakers with a crop of new, young, female designers at an Atlanta interior design firm.”
“I’m very excited to be working with ABC,” Bloodworth Thomason tells THR. “And Sony...
Original series creator Linda Bloodworth Thomason and executive producer Harry Thomason are behind the new multi-cam series, which will “follow the next generation of Sugarbakers with a crop of new, young, female designers at an Atlanta interior design firm.”
“I’m very excited to be working with ABC,” Bloodworth Thomason tells THR. “And Sony...
- 9/13/2018
- TVLine.com
ABC has given a script commitment to what is described as a “sequel” to the classic 1990s sitcom Designing Women, with the series’ original creator Linda Bloodworth Thomason heading the new iteration, Deadline has confirmed. The previously announced project had been in the works at original series producer Sony Pictures TV, which also is producing the new version.
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
Written by Bloodworth Thomason, the sequel will follow the next generation of Sugarbakers with a crop of new, young, female designers at an Atlanta interior design firm, but still with the same razor-sharp dialogue and ability to cut through the political, cultural, and social...
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
Written by Bloodworth Thomason, the sequel will follow the next generation of Sugarbakers with a crop of new, young, female designers at an Atlanta interior design firm, but still with the same razor-sharp dialogue and ability to cut through the political, cultural, and social...
- 9/13/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Twenty-five years after the original series wrapped its seven-season run on CBS, a revival of the classic 1990s sitcom Designing Women[/link] is in the works at Sony Pictures TV, with the series’ original creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason heading the new iteration, Deadline has confirmed.
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
This is the latest revival to come out of Sony Pictures TV. The studio also is behind the revival of One Day at a Time, a reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom, at Netflix. Deadline recently reported Sony is in the very early stages of a reboot of the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life, with Appian Way,...
The series, which ran from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993, centers on the lives of four women and one man working together at an Atlanta interior design firm. Designing Women starred Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Meshach Taylor, Alice Ghostley, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks and Judith Ivey.
This is the latest revival to come out of Sony Pictures TV. The studio also is behind the revival of One Day at a Time, a reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom, at Netflix. Deadline recently reported Sony is in the very early stages of a reboot of the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life, with Appian Way,...
- 8/14/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony’s got Georgia on its mind. TVLine has learned exclusively that the studio is developing a reboot of the classic ’90s sitcom Designing Women, with the series’ original creator, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, shepherding the update. The project is expected to be taken out to the marketplace soon.
The news comes roughly one month before CBS is set to launch a revival of Designing Women‘s former time slot companion, Murphy Brown.
Designing Women debuted on September 29, 1986 and ran for seven seasons, before concluding on May 24, 1993. It centered on the lives of four women (played by Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts...
The news comes roughly one month before CBS is set to launch a revival of Designing Women‘s former time slot companion, Murphy Brown.
Designing Women debuted on September 29, 1986 and ran for seven seasons, before concluding on May 24, 1993. It centered on the lives of four women (played by Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts...
- 8/14/2018
- TVLine.com
David Letterman’s new Netflix series, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” has proven to be a format well-suited to bringing out candid self-reflection in his long-form interview subjects — which came to the forefront in his latest sit-down with Tina Fey.
In between a trip to Chicago for music and local cuisine, Fey and Letterman had a revelatory conversation about her family life and her love of comedy — including Letterman himself introducing the topic of women in comedy.
However, he opened by acknowledging the fact that for years, former “Late Night” writer Nell Scovell and many others have criticized the lack of women in his writers’ rooms. “[People would ask] why don’t you have women writers? And the best I could come up with was ‘I don’t know.’ I didn’t know why there weren’t women writers. There was no policy against women writers. I always thought, ‘Well, geez, if...
In between a trip to Chicago for music and local cuisine, Fey and Letterman had a revelatory conversation about her family life and her love of comedy — including Letterman himself introducing the topic of women in comedy.
However, he opened by acknowledging the fact that for years, former “Late Night” writer Nell Scovell and many others have criticized the lack of women in his writers’ rooms. “[People would ask] why don’t you have women writers? And the best I could come up with was ‘I don’t know.’ I didn’t know why there weren’t women writers. There was no policy against women writers. I always thought, ‘Well, geez, if...
- 5/4/2018
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
Alec Baldwin is hosting Saturday Night Live for the 17th time this weekend, after guest starring all season playing President Donald Trump.
While fans are no doubt excited to see how Baldwin lampoons the president when he gets a chance to host, the momentous occasion has us feeling nostalgic for all the great comedy the Golden Globe winner has brought to the show since his first time hosting back in October 1990.
Watch: Alec Baldwin Gets Nostalgic About His History with 'SNL' in Hilarious New Promo
Over the past 26 years, Baldwin's career has taken a lot of twists and turns (as has SNL), but his comedic timing and spot-on impressions have never faltered. There's a reason he's hosted more than anyone else in the show's history.
In celebration of his illustrious past with the long-running sketch series, let's take a look at some of Baldwin's best appearances (in no particular order).
1. NPR’s Delicious Dish with...
While fans are no doubt excited to see how Baldwin lampoons the president when he gets a chance to host, the momentous occasion has us feeling nostalgic for all the great comedy the Golden Globe winner has brought to the show since his first time hosting back in October 1990.
Watch: Alec Baldwin Gets Nostalgic About His History with 'SNL' in Hilarious New Promo
Over the past 26 years, Baldwin's career has taken a lot of twists and turns (as has SNL), but his comedic timing and spot-on impressions have never faltered. There's a reason he's hosted more than anyone else in the show's history.
In celebration of his illustrious past with the long-running sketch series, let's take a look at some of Baldwin's best appearances (in no particular order).
1. NPR’s Delicious Dish with...
- 2/10/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
A version of this article originally appeared on Time.com.
In just a few weeks, Alec Baldwin will return to Saturday Night Live to host for the 17th time, though he’s made waves this season with his ripe parody of Donald Trump, another broad-shouldered New Yorker who also doesn’t mince words.
Every time SNL’s host with the most drops in, the guy’s a total pro. The thing that makes the Baldwin, 58, effect reliably funny isn’t just his self-assured stature: he’s an experimental team player, and everyone around him is funnier for it.
Whenever he...
In just a few weeks, Alec Baldwin will return to Saturday Night Live to host for the 17th time, though he’s made waves this season with his ripe parody of Donald Trump, another broad-shouldered New Yorker who also doesn’t mince words.
Every time SNL’s host with the most drops in, the guy’s a total pro. The thing that makes the Baldwin, 58, effect reliably funny isn’t just his self-assured stature: he’s an experimental team player, and everyone around him is funnier for it.
Whenever he...
- 1/23/2017
- by Lanford Beard
- PEOPLE.com
Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton impression has been widely praised this election year. The comedian did her first Saturday Night Live impersonation of Clinton in 2013, but it really took off for her in the past year as Clinton became the Democratic nominee and the presidential election took center stage. McKinnon follows in the footsteps of SNL Hillary Clinton impersonators Amy Poehler, Vanessa Bayer, Jan Hooks and Ana Gasteyer. McKinnon's Clinton uses a plethora of facial expressions to emulate Clinton, mixing in robotic gestures, awkward narration of her attempts to be natural and a dash of desperately wanting to appeal to millennials.
read more...
read more...
- 10/25/2016
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Move over, Girls. Forget Sex and the City. The original female quartet, Designing Women, debuted on CBS 30 years ago today.Created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the sitcom centered on four women and one man who worked at an interior design studio in Atlanta, Ga. The cast included Dixie Carter, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor, and Jan Hooks.Read More…...
- 9/30/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Frequent Saturday Night Live host Alec Baldwin will portray Donald Trump throughout the election season on the long-running sketch comedy series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cast members Taran Killam and Darrell Hammond most recently portrayed the Gop's presidential nominee.
Baldwin will debut his Trump impression on the show's October 1st season premiere and will continue playing the part throughout the season. Former cast member Hammond portrayed Trump last season following his return in 2014 as the show's announcer. Killam had played Trump prior, but his contract was not renewed for the upcoming 42nd season.
Baldwin will debut his Trump impression on the show's October 1st season premiere and will continue playing the part throughout the season. Former cast member Hammond portrayed Trump last season following his return in 2014 as the show's announcer. Killam had played Trump prior, but his contract was not renewed for the upcoming 42nd season.
- 9/28/2016
- Rollingstone.com
John McLaughlin, the conservative talk-show host and pop-culture lightning rod who helmed the long-running roundtable TV show The McLaughlin Group, has died. He was 89.
The McLaughlin Group Facebook page reported the news. "Earlier this morning, a beloved friend and mentor, Dr. John McLaughlin, passed away peacefully at the age of 89," the statement read. "As a former Jesuit priest, teacher, pundit and news host, John touched many lives. For 34 years, The McLaughlin Group informed millions of Americans. Now he has said bye bye for the last time, to rejoin his beloved dog,...
The McLaughlin Group Facebook page reported the news. "Earlier this morning, a beloved friend and mentor, Dr. John McLaughlin, passed away peacefully at the age of 89," the statement read. "As a former Jesuit priest, teacher, pundit and news host, John touched many lives. For 34 years, The McLaughlin Group informed millions of Americans. Now he has said bye bye for the last time, to rejoin his beloved dog,...
- 8/16/2016
- Rollingstone.com
This weekend, presidential candidate and world champion comedy bait Donald Trump was once again a target of Saturday Night Lives' gleeful mockery.
The NBC favorite has made a sport of parodying Trump's narcissism and extravagance over the years, skewering everything from his marriage and subsequent divorce to his other marriage and subsequent divorce.
While we witnessed Trump's evolution from buffoonish business mogul to shockingly effective vote hustler, SNL has been there to offer satirization of the already cartoon-esque billionaire. Now, as we become closer and closer to the election, we're taking a peek back at the candidate's decades-long relationship with the show.
The NBC favorite has made a sport of parodying Trump's narcissism and extravagance over the years, skewering everything from his marriage and subsequent divorce to his other marriage and subsequent divorce.
While we witnessed Trump's evolution from buffoonish business mogul to shockingly effective vote hustler, SNL has been there to offer satirization of the already cartoon-esque billionaire. Now, as we become closer and closer to the election, we're taking a peek back at the candidate's decades-long relationship with the show.
- 11/6/2015
- by Lydia Price, @lydsprice
- People.com - TV Watch
I'm sick of Donald Trump's "SNL" hosting appearance and it's still a few days away. There are organized protests, casual musings about how and if he'll be "funny," and a lingering sense that Trump truly believes this will make him look cool. Fortunately we have an "SNL" alum offering her perspective on the presidential hopeful, and it's not a rosy one. Nora Dunn, the five-season "SNL" alumna who played one half of the Sweeney Sisters with the late Jan Hooks, weighed in on Trump's upcoming appearance with a HuffPost column about how "SNL" has changed and why the Donald won't be the first or last time the show is disappointing. There have been many incredible moments and big laughs and eye-popping craziness on Saturday Night Live. And that will continue, I hope. The show is part of our collective conscious. Trumps' appearance will not be a shining moment, but...
- 11/6/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
In many ways, it seems only right that both Saturday Night Live and Bill and Hillary Clinton are celebrating their 40th anniversaries on Oct. 11.
After all, both have become American institutions over the years, and they've become intrinsically intertwined since before President Clinton even stepped into the Oval Office. In fact, SNL has even become a key stop on Hillary's campaign trail.
In fact, it doesn't seem right that we celebrate one milestone without including the other – after all, where would SNL be without the Clintons and vice versa? – so to celebrate, we've rounded up every single Clinton impression...
After all, both have become American institutions over the years, and they've become intrinsically intertwined since before President Clinton even stepped into the Oval Office. In fact, SNL has even become a key stop on Hillary's campaign trail.
In fact, it doesn't seem right that we celebrate one milestone without including the other – after all, where would SNL be without the Clintons and vice versa? – so to celebrate, we've rounded up every single Clinton impression...
- 10/11/2015
- by Julia Emmanuele, @julesemm
- People.com - TV Watch
The Emmy Awards are just one "whyyyyy?" after another. Nothing about this award show makes a lick of sense. Why does it take itself so seriously? Why are the categories so random? (As host Andy Samberg said, "Orange Is the New Black is now officially a drama and Louie is officially jazz.") Why didn't Broad City get nominated? Did the voters get their wisdom teeth pulled every day this year? Peg me gently with a chainsaw! In our golden age for award shows, not to mention for TV, why are...
- 9/21/2015
- Rollingstone.com
“Live from New York!” purports to be a look at four decades of the late-night comedy institution “Saturday Night Live,” but it’s basically a puff piece on the show’s longtime producer Lorne Michaels. How do we know this? For starters, the years where Michael took a hiatus from producing (1980-1985) are blipped right over, apart from an interview with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and a few mentions of Eddie Murphy. Then the movie pretends that Michaels returned triumphantly, with the rise of Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman, conveniently omitting almost any notice of the infamous 1985-86 season under Michaels’ tutelage,...
- 6/11/2015
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Hillary Clinton is much more than even a 2016 presidential candidate. She's a pop culture touchstone and the "Saturday Night Live" legacy of Hillary impersonations proves it: Clinton has been imitated by nine different performers going all the way back to Jan Hooks. To celebrate this indelible sketch character, let's rank all nine portrayals of the former New York senator and pick the ultimate "SNL" Hillary. Honorable mentions: Drew Barrymore and Rachel Dratch Both Drew Barrymore and Rachel Dratch played Clinton in very brief moments on "SNL." Barrymore played a young Clinton during a 2004 hosting stint and Dratch chimed in with a space-age Hillary in a "State of the Galaxy" sketch from 2006. While they are fun anomalous versions of the former Secretary of State, they aren't representative enough to factor in on this list. 7. Janeane Garofalo During the infamous '94-'95 season of "SNL," Michael McKean and Janeane Garofalo took turns as Bill and Hillary.
- 4/13/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
Ever since the start, "Saturday Night Live" has given us bold, weird character actresses who seesawed between deadly one-liners and powerful impersonations. Gilda Radner charmed you with insanity. Jane Curtin jarred you with sarcasm. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nora Dunn, and Jan Hooks balanced goofy caricatures with serious thespian chops. But when Molly Shannon joined "SNL" 20 years ago in February of 1995, a new wave of female characterizations began on Lorne Michaels' revue: Suddenly women could be the zaniest, ballsiest performers in the entire telecast -- and with the biggest grins on their face, to boot. Shannon was joined in the cast by Groundlings loon Cheri Oteri later in 1995; Northwestern alum and onetime violin prodigy Ana Gasteyer came in '96. The trio found inventive ways to mock new distaff phenomena in pop culture like "The View" and Lilith Fair while injecting carnality, cool intelligence, and even scariness into familiar "SNL" roles for women.
- 4/3/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
We spent the weekend enjoying the hell out of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," the new Netflix series from "30 Rock" royalty Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Starring "Office" and "Bridesmaids" vet Ellie Kemper, it chronicles the life of a woman who escapes from an apocalyptic cult and builds a new life in New York City. It is a scream. Here are seven major things to appreciate about it. 1. Veteran TV actresses get tons to do. "30 Rock" provided a wonderful showcase for veteran comic actors, and we can thank the Fey/Carlock mothership for giving Elaine Stritch, Jan Hooks, Anita Gillette, Tim Conway, Alan Alda, and many, many more such fun and weird roles. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" is off to a great start in this area: Regular cast members Carol Kane and Jane Krakowski rack up some of the biggest laughs every episode as they notch another hit in their incredible TV careers,...
- 3/9/2015
- by Louis VIrtel
- Hitfix
Every year, the Oscars' In Memoriam segment proves to be one of the most poignant and emotional moments of the entire year. At this year’s ceremony, the Academy added a nice, simple touch of animating the late stars’ names and pictures with a beautiful watercolor effect.
Of course, this doesn’t matter much for Joan Rivers who was completely forgotten in the segment this year.
Photos: Stars We've Lost In Recent Years
That's right, the comedian and actress whose career spanned half of a century couldn’t be honored with a three-second photo. To be fair, the GRAMMYs didn’t include her in their In Memoriam either, despite actually winning a Grammy award this year.
Sure, most of her work has been on television, but she has scores of film credits under her belt, and she even directed the feature film Rabbit Test in 1978, not to mention the massive number of writing credits.
Photos: Oscars...
Of course, this doesn’t matter much for Joan Rivers who was completely forgotten in the segment this year.
Photos: Stars We've Lost In Recent Years
That's right, the comedian and actress whose career spanned half of a century couldn’t be honored with a three-second photo. To be fair, the GRAMMYs didn’t include her in their In Memoriam either, despite actually winning a Grammy award this year.
Sure, most of her work has been on television, but she has scores of film credits under her belt, and she even directed the feature film Rabbit Test in 1978, not to mention the massive number of writing credits.
Photos: Oscars...
- 2/23/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
ETonline is paying tribute to the stars that passed away in the past year with our "Oscar: In Memoriam" fan art collection. Check out some of the highlights below and check back in on the Et Tumblr page for more.
Photos: In Memoriam: Stars We Lost In 2014
Robin Williams
The legendary comedian committed suicide on August 11, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111579349675/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-robin
Maya Angelou
The inspirational author and poet passed away on May 28, 2014 at age 86.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111580360805/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-maya
Lauren Bacall
The actress, who was Humphrey Bogart’s real-life wife and on-screen co-star in iconic films like The Big Sleep, passed away one month before her 90th birthday on August 12, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111580366120/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-lauren
News: Was Joan Rivers Snubbed in the 2015 GRAMMYs In Memoriam Segment?
Joan Rivers
The legendary comedian and fashion critic died at age 81 after complications during surgery on September 4, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111583267412/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-joan
James Garner
The Maverick and Rockford...
Photos: In Memoriam: Stars We Lost In 2014
Robin Williams
The legendary comedian committed suicide on August 11, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111579349675/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-robin
Maya Angelou
The inspirational author and poet passed away on May 28, 2014 at age 86.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111580360805/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-maya
Lauren Bacall
The actress, who was Humphrey Bogart’s real-life wife and on-screen co-star in iconic films like The Big Sleep, passed away one month before her 90th birthday on August 12, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111580366120/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-lauren
News: Was Joan Rivers Snubbed in the 2015 GRAMMYs In Memoriam Segment?
Joan Rivers
The legendary comedian and fashion critic died at age 81 after complications during surgery on September 4, 2014.
http://entertainmenttonight.tumblr.com/post/111583267412/oscars-in-memoriam-et-tumblr-remember-joan
James Garner
The Maverick and Rockford...
- 2/21/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
Some thoughts on last night's "Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special" coming up just as soon as I assume Jon Lovitz is dead... Last week, I wrote about the history of "SNL," which has been filled with incredible highs, uncomfortable lows, and a mixture of things that either didn't work or simply outlived their usefulness. Perhaps intentionally — Lorne Michaels used to joke that the word "uneven" would be on his tombstone — or perhaps because it's inherent to any three and a half hour special with this many moving pieces, the special was "SNL" in a microcosm. Much of it worked spectacularly well. Some of it was disappointing and/or puzzling. And the whole thing went on much longer than it probably should have. Unlike the show's previous anniversary specials, which were largely driven by clips and testimonials, the 40th was conceived of as a super-sized, all-star installment of the show itself,...
- 2/16/2015
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special airs this Sunday. While most of the show's best will be there, some of the show's greats are no longer living.
Et interviewed John Belushi just four months before he was found unresponsive in a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont. The comedian passed away at the age of 33 after taking a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin.
Video: Kevin Nealon Recalls His First Night on SNL
Belushi was a role model for another fallen SNL great -- Chris Farley. Both honed their improvisational skills at Chicago's Second City. While Belushi was a part of SNL's original cast in 1975, Farley joined the show in 1990 about eight years after Belushi's death.
SNL alum Julia Sweeney spoke fondly about her late friend and cast mate, as she remembered performing their classic Motivational Speaker sketches together. "Phil [Hartman] and I are the parents, and we're barely in the sketch. In fact I...
Et interviewed John Belushi just four months before he was found unresponsive in a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont. The comedian passed away at the age of 33 after taking a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin.
Video: Kevin Nealon Recalls His First Night on SNL
Belushi was a role model for another fallen SNL great -- Chris Farley. Both honed their improvisational skills at Chicago's Second City. While Belushi was a part of SNL's original cast in 1975, Farley joined the show in 1990 about eight years after Belushi's death.
SNL alum Julia Sweeney spoke fondly about her late friend and cast mate, as she remembered performing their classic Motivational Speaker sketches together. "Phil [Hartman] and I are the parents, and we're barely in the sketch. In fact I...
- 2/14/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
On the eve of its 40th anniversary special (though the anniversary itself isn't until October), what is left to say about "Saturday Night Live"? There have been multiple books written about the show, several documentaries, countless essays — riding the never-ending roller-coaster between "Saturday Night Dead" and "Saturday Night Lives Again!" — best-ofs, worst-ofs, and every other kind of list you can think of. I don't know that anything I write over the next few pages will provide new insight into one of the most influential comedy shows ever made, but I wondered if you could tell the story of the show — through good times and bad, through revolutions and evolutions and retrenchments — by looking at its sketches. I wound up picking 21 in all: some among the show's most famous, some obscure but important. These aren't meant as a definitive breakdown of the best "SNL" ever had to offer, but as a...
- 2/12/2015
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
If you need any further proof that "Saturday Night Live" has lost whatever edge it once had, there's the news that Sarah Palin is planning to appear on the show's 40th anniversary special, airing Feb. 15. Remember, just seven years ago, Tina Fey's impression of the then-vice presidential candidate was widely credited with losing the election for her and John McCain. Since then, in speeches and Facebook posts, Palin has not been one to let a personal grievance slide. And yet, here she is, returning to the "SNL" studio at 30 Rock. This is more than just being a good sport or burying the hatchet; it's an indication that she doesn't consider whatever satirical softballs "SNL" may lob her way to be any kind of a threat. Maybe there's no such thing as bad publicity, but clearly, no prominent person, not even one as polarizing as a partisan politician, is afraid...
- 2/6/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
We all make mistakes, even when we're Lorne Michaels. The SNL boss recently opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about the past forty years of SNL and revealed that he has a few regrets in terms of a few stars he rejected from the cast, including one very good Friend. "Lisa Kudrow gave a brilliant audition," Michaels told THR, "but it was at the time when it was Jan Hooks and Nora [Dunn]." Kudrow, who auditioned in 1985 along with Kathy Griffin and Julia Sweeney, who was eventually hired, obviously went on to have a perfectly successful career, starring on what many consider to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and producing and starring in a couple of her own shows including...
- 2/5/2015
- E! Online
Game Over
Showcase Inventory
Created by David Sacks
Produced by Carsey-Werner Productions
Aired on Upn for 1 season (6 episodes, 1 unaired) from March 10 – April 22, 2004
Cast
Patrick Warburton as Rip Smashenburn
Lucy Liu as Raquel Smashenburn
Rachel Dratch as Alice Smashenburn
Elizabeth Daily as Billy Smashenburn
Artie Lange as Turbo
Show Premise
This is a show that, similar to Disney’s Wreck It Ralph, asks the question, “What do video game characters do outside of the video game?” Unlike the film however, this series focuses on an average family of video game characters known as the Smashenburns. The family is made up of father Rip, a Grand Prix race car driver from an unspecified racing game, mother Raquel, a Lara Croft type from an artifact scavenging adventure game, daughter Alice, who is an activist that sometimes goes boy-crazy, son Billy, who is trend-obsessed with becoming a rapper, and lastly Turbo, their talking purple...
Showcase Inventory
Created by David Sacks
Produced by Carsey-Werner Productions
Aired on Upn for 1 season (6 episodes, 1 unaired) from March 10 – April 22, 2004
Cast
Patrick Warburton as Rip Smashenburn
Lucy Liu as Raquel Smashenburn
Rachel Dratch as Alice Smashenburn
Elizabeth Daily as Billy Smashenburn
Artie Lange as Turbo
Show Premise
This is a show that, similar to Disney’s Wreck It Ralph, asks the question, “What do video game characters do outside of the video game?” Unlike the film however, this series focuses on an average family of video game characters known as the Smashenburns. The family is made up of father Rip, a Grand Prix race car driver from an unspecified racing game, mother Raquel, a Lara Croft type from an artifact scavenging adventure game, daughter Alice, who is an activist that sometimes goes boy-crazy, son Billy, who is trend-obsessed with becoming a rapper, and lastly Turbo, their talking purple...
- 1/24/2015
- by Jean Pierre Diez
- SoundOnSight
Charles Osgood hosts a touching new 19-minute video remembering the entertainers and famous people who died in 2014. The tribute begins with Oscar winners Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Mike Nichols as Osgood "brings a smile to your face, and maybe a tear to your eye." Others honored include Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, Lauren Bacall, James Garner, Elaine Stritch, Ruby Dee, Sid Caesar, Joan Rivers, Jan Hooks, Harold Ramis, Pete Seeger, and many others. CBS News -Break- What is the most illegally-downloaded film of 2014? The answer of "The Wolf of Wall Street" is somewhat of a surprise since it is a three-hour movie filled with debauchery. Others in the top 10 are: "Frozen," "RoboCop," "Gravity," "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," "Thor: The Dark World," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "The Legend of Hercules," "X-Men: Days of Future Past," and "1..."...
- 12/30/2014
- Gold Derby
Drunk Uncle, Stefon, The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party, Aunt Linda, and Bar Mitzvah boy Jacob are all a few of our favorite Saturday Night Live Weekend Update guests. But did you know they all might just be related?
If you’re like, ‘What? No Way! My Mind Is Blown Forever!!’ Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That was our reaction too when we saw Bobby Moynihan’s, who plays Drunk Uncle, theory during his interview with Time Out New York.
Watch: 7 Amazing 'SNL' Fake Movie Trailers You Need To Watch Right Now!
“I think all of those characters on Update come from one family. I always call [Drunk Uncle's] wife Linda because I joke around that it's [Kristen Wiig’s character] Aunt Linda, and Stefon is their son,” the funny man said. “The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at the Party is their daughter. And Jacob lives...
If you’re like, ‘What? No Way! My Mind Is Blown Forever!!’ Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That was our reaction too when we saw Bobby Moynihan’s, who plays Drunk Uncle, theory during his interview with Time Out New York.
Watch: 7 Amazing 'SNL' Fake Movie Trailers You Need To Watch Right Now!
“I think all of those characters on Update come from one family. I always call [Drunk Uncle's] wife Linda because I joke around that it's [Kristen Wiig’s character] Aunt Linda, and Stefon is their son,” the funny man said. “The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at the Party is their daughter. And Jacob lives...
- 11/22/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Tina Fey, upon accepting an award at Elle’s Women in Hollywood event, took the opportunity to pay tribute to late Saturday Night Live veteran Jan Hooks – and call out Rob Schneider in the process.
Tiny Fey Honors Jan Hooks
Fey, who went on to write and star in the acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock, jumped at the chance to include SNL great Hooks into the show. She figured she’d be perfect to play the part of Jane Krakowski’s mother, and was surprised to find out that Hooks was available to take it on.
“When we were doing 30 Rock and we needed to cast Jane Krakowski's estranged Florida dirtbag mother and I thought, 'My God, do you think we could get Jan Hooks?' Because she's an idol of mine, from the Sweeney Sisters to the Miss Self Esteem Pageant. Just the funniest woman ever,” Fey said. “And I was like,...
Tiny Fey Honors Jan Hooks
Fey, who went on to write and star in the acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock, jumped at the chance to include SNL great Hooks into the show. She figured she’d be perfect to play the part of Jane Krakowski’s mother, and was surprised to find out that Hooks was available to take it on.
“When we were doing 30 Rock and we needed to cast Jane Krakowski's estranged Florida dirtbag mother and I thought, 'My God, do you think we could get Jan Hooks?' Because she's an idol of mine, from the Sweeney Sisters to the Miss Self Esteem Pageant. Just the funniest woman ever,” Fey said. “And I was like,...
- 10/25/2014
- Uinterview
Tina Fey throws some serious shade.
Leave it to Tina Fey to always tell it like it is.
Fey used her stage time at Elle's Women in Hollywood Awards Monday night to pay tribute to the late Saturday Night Live star Jan Hooks, who passed away on Oct. 9 at age 57, and took a surprising dig at Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo star Rob Schneider in the process.
Fey cast Hooks to play Jane Krakowski's mother on 30 Rock, and said that the comedian was underappreciated in Hollywood.
News: Tina Fey Throws a Sliver of Shade at Naked Lena Dunham
"We needed to cast Jane Krakowski's estranged Florida dirtbag mother, and I thought, My God, do you think we could get Jan Hooks?" Fey said, via Vanity Fair. "And the answer was like, 'Yeah, you can get her.' She was living in Woodstock. And the phone was not ringing."
"It made me sad when she passed, and it...
Leave it to Tina Fey to always tell it like it is.
Fey used her stage time at Elle's Women in Hollywood Awards Monday night to pay tribute to the late Saturday Night Live star Jan Hooks, who passed away on Oct. 9 at age 57, and took a surprising dig at Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo star Rob Schneider in the process.
Fey cast Hooks to play Jane Krakowski's mother on 30 Rock, and said that the comedian was underappreciated in Hollywood.
News: Tina Fey Throws a Sliver of Shade at Naked Lena Dunham
"We needed to cast Jane Krakowski's estranged Florida dirtbag mother, and I thought, My God, do you think we could get Jan Hooks?" Fey said, via Vanity Fair. "And the answer was like, 'Yeah, you can get her.' She was living in Woodstock. And the phone was not ringing."
"It made me sad when she passed, and it...
- 10/23/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
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