WHCD SNL star sightings and Portlandia

This weekend I had the chance to go to D.C in time for the White House Correspondents Dinner. I was not able to attend but I was able to watch everyone arrive and leave the event and see guests of the Vanity Fair/Bloomberg after-party arrive and/or leave. As if I wasn't geeking out enough already, I saw Fred Armisen arrive to both the Dinner and the After-Party. I was not close enough but I did yell some sort of something at him but I don't remember because I was too excited.
With him was Carrie Brownstein, his Portlandia co-star. Portlandia is one of my favorite new shows. And one of my favorite things to come out of a SNL cast member. The show is a reflection on the people and eclectic goings on in Portland, Oregon. It is so offbeat and weird yet familiar. "The dream of the nineties is alive in Portland..."  
"Like Gore won and the Bush Administration never happened"
The show is on IFC and just finished up its second season but episodes can be found online. 
Fred Armisen is still a part of the current SNL cast but he continues to co-write and co-star in Portlandia with Carrie Brownstein. 
Here is my all-time favorite scene from the show. "In Portland you can put a bird on something and call it art!"

No New Episode this Weekend

Repeat this Saturday of the Channing Tatum/Bon Iver episode. If you like Channing Tatum (shirtless) you will like this episode if you haven't already seen it.






However, the show returns on May 5th with Eli Manning and Rihanna!
His brother Peyton is a welcomed guest to the show but it will be interesting to see what his little bro can do.
Rihanna has performed two other times on the show and has been in the SNL Digital Short both times. The 'Shy Ronnie' sketch will likely reappear for her return to the show. Here is a clip of Andy Samberg and Rihanna  in their second installment of the 'Shy Ronnie' sketch. The song from this can also be found on The Lonely Island's, "Turtle Neck and Chain" album that came out last year.

My Obligation To Let the World Know About Mike O'Brien

Okay, as soon as I saw his videos on YouTube, I knew he was the perfect comedian. He's committed, quirky, dorky, uncomfortable and funny (obviously). My friend showed me his series of videos on YouTube called, "Seven Minutes in Heaven", where he stands in a closet with a celebrity and asks them weird questions and makes them improv short scenes. And of course, at the end, the guest and Mike share an awkward kiss.
The reason why this fits into my blog is that he is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live (started in 2009). Mike, 35, has previously performed and graduated from Second City and Improv Olympic in Chicago. These are the prime improv institutions in our nation. Sounds stupid but it's a pretty big deal. He has since worked on some of my favorite sketches like "Smash Mouth Closet" for SNL. I am so mad I could not find a video online of this sketch but it was so funny. I can't even try to explain it, you would just have to see it. Also, like Sarah Schneider, he can be seen as an extra in numerous scenes.
He is slowly becoming more famous because of his great online success, Yahoo! has recently started linking his videos on their homepage. Odd choice, but I'm happy for him. Also, the Chicago Tribune did an interesting piece on him for their Arts and Entertainment section. Click here to read and read Mike's Guide to Making Out with Famous People.
I strongly recommend as well that you look around his website. As first I thought I was on the wrong site, but then I realized, that's the joke. Click here to see it.

Here is Mike with Jack McBrayer from '30 Rock'. As awkward and awkward gets.

From College Humor to SNL

I was watching the show's credits one night and I always spit out my drink when I saw the name "Sarah Schneider" scroll across the screen. For the past few years she has been the backbone of the popular website, College Humor. I'm sure you've seen her if you are anywhere on the internet.
So naturally I felt like a proud mother when I saw her name in the credits. She went from being a successful comedy writer and actress on the internet to going where every comedy writers only wish they could go. A lot of famous comedians started off as writers on SNL first. For example, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers (Current Head Writer), Steve Higgins, Conan O'Brien, Larry David, Stephen Colbert and Adam McKay.
So far Sarah has co-written a few sketches and has been seen as an extra in a few sketches. I always feel cool when I notice her in the background. I hope to see a bright future for her since she has worked her way up the ranks to make it where she is now.
Even The Huffington Post took notice of her new job position! Click here to read the article!
Watch Sarah in my favorite College Humor video series, Hardly Working, where she beats all the boys at Freeze Tag.

2012 TIME 100 Most Influential People Includes Kristen Wiig

Yayyy! I am so proud of  her. She definitely deserves it and TIME thinks so too.

"Her first screenplay — insightful, brave, groundbreaking and also hilarious. Kristen and her wonderful partner Annie Mumolo are nominated for an Academy Award. She never thought she was making a statement about women in comedy."

Click here to read the whole article written by Judd Apatow

Cold-Open from 4/14/12

Love this!
"Can I admit something, guys? RomneyCare is just ObamaCare"

Review of Last Night's Episode 4/14/12

I was not able to watch it live last night so I just watched it on Hulu this morning. I know it's not the same because not all the skits are included but better than nothing, right?


The monologue was a bit of a dud. Josh Brolin did a brief 'preview' of Men in Black III with Jay Pharaoh as Will Smith's character. His impression is so good but I can't help but feel bad for him because he that is all he is ever used for. Except for when he's playing a background character extra or something. Anyways, the monologue was nothing exciting.
The next skit (according to Hulu) was something new called, "The Californians". This is a parody of the California soap operas that are on TV. But in this, they play up the Californian sterotype, including the odd way of talking (accent and for some reason they kept talking about car directions and traffic). This ended up being pretty funny because Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen and Bill Hader all struggle to get through their parts without completely breaking. Kristen barely ever breaks, but in this one she is on the verge of completely messing up. Click here for the video!
Digital Short- "Laser Cats 7"- INCLUDING STEVEN SPIELBERG! Craziness. They followed plot lines of E.T (which they called E.A.T, meaning "Extra-Awesome Terrestrial"), Jaws, Jurassic Park and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Normally I hate these ones because they are repetitive and not as funny as the usual ones, but this was okay.
Weekend Update: Seth recovered from last week's dull segment. This one was way better. AND it included Garth and Kat, the musical duo (Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig) that makes up their songs on the spot. If you've never seen it, you're missing out because it's pretty funny.
After that, there was a CNN sketch regarding the Trayvon Martin case. Somehow they were able to squeeze more celebrity impressions in there. Again, Jay Pharaoh was doing another impression. This time he was Kanye West. Not a fan of this one.
Another Digital Short for last night's episode. They must've been making up for last week. In this, they parody the Gotye music video for "Somebody That I Used to Know", that I discussed in one of my previous blog posts regarding the musical guest of this episode. I aforementioned that the video is very unique and could be what makes the song as well. Anyways, Andy and Taran recreate the music video while Gotye is trying to prepare for his performance. Hilarity ensues. You're going to want to see this if you've seen the original video. Click here to watch it!
Last Sketch:
I stand corrected! Jay Pharoah is an original character!! And he is breaking so pretty funny.
I hate that I couldn't watch it at the normal time because I think that the shock value of seeing it live makes a huge difference. Oh well, hopefully next time.

No Live Blogging Tonight

Sorry guys, I didn't have the chance to live blog like I was hoping. Hopefully next time!

SNL Welcomes GOP Candidate?

Mitt Romney to Host SNL?!

April 14th New Episode: Josh Brolin with Musical Guest Gotye

This weekend SNL brings back Josh Brolin for his second time hosting the show. This former child star and son of famous actor, James Brolin has made quite the comeback in recent years. He played George W. Bush in  Oliver Stone's W and co-starred in True Grit and Milk. 

Last time he hosted in 2008, he proved to be pretty versatile. I attempted to find a clip from last time but none of them were of good enough quality to bother sharing. Nevermind then.

This time around he will most likely be promoting Men in Black III. There will no doubt be some sort of spoof about this. Mark my words.

The promos for this week can be seen here.

The musical guest, Gotye, is a Belgian-Australian musician that just appeared on the scene due to his hit, "Somebody That I Used to Know". The music video is artistically awesome yet simple. Personally I think the video is what helped this song skyrocket. This week on Glee and American Idol, the single was covered. I'm sure this will not be the first we will hear from Gotye (even if it isn't on the radio). However, performing on SNL for music like this might not prove to be very entertaining. We shall see, I guess.

Here is the music video:

Kate McKinnon as Tabatha Coffey from last night's episode 4/7/12

The newest cast member showing off her chops as Bravo's Tabatha Coffey. Click here to watch this video

Hunger Games Sketch! 4/7/12

Cannot express my love for the fact that they included this. And because all the little details in this sketch were correct. If you are a fan of the books/movie you MUST see this.
HAHAHA Abby Elliot as Katniss gave Sofia's Effy-esque character some berries or if you're a fan you know that it's supposed to be the poisonous berries, NightLock. So great that they included this. Normally they wouldn't include a sketch that is geared towards the younger audience that requires some knowledge of the series to appreciate it. Oh well, I'm not mad.

Pantene Commercial Parody 4/7/12

Kate McKinnon as Penelope Cruz
Her impression of the Spanish actress was a very odd choice.
1. She looks nothing like her.
2. She sounds more Indian than Spanish.
3. Good idea but I don't know, just not a fan of this sketch.

Watch What Happens Live! 4/7/12

Again Taran Killam does another amazing impression of another obscure celebrity: Bravo's Andy Cohen.
Complete with pepper hair, fancy suit and adorable gayness.

And the new girl, Kate McKinnon just appeared in this sketch as Tabatha Coffey from Tabatha Takes Over. Which was the best impression of her that I could imagine. This makes me excited to see what this newbie will bring to the table.

The Manuel Ortiz Show 4/7/12

Not surprised that they included this with it being a Hispanic sketch and Sofia Vergara being the host.
This was never a favorite of mine except for when Betty White hosted.

I KNEW ONE DIRECTION WOULD SHOW UP SOMETIME! CALLED IT! Fan girls are going to go crazyy.

Weekend Update 4/7/12

Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle: He is so underrated. This character is a drunk man who depressed and reminisces and is bitter about life today. The includes but not limited to racist jokes, jokes about kids today and organic  foods. And then he calls Seth by the wrong name.

It was a relatively short Weekend Update on this episode. I was expecting either a "Stefon" or another political walk-on. But guess not. 

Gilly Returns!!!! 4/7/12

Kristen Wiig's Gilly dance is so funny. If you haven't seen it, please look it up.
I could've sworn I heard that she was not going to bring back this character.
In this sketch Sofia Vergara, the teacher, makes Gilly reflect on what her life would be like if she continues to cause trouble--it was no different from how she acts now.
Also, I love how Kristen goes full ugly in the Gilly sketches. Curly hair and constant double-chin. I don't know many actresses that would do this time and time again.

Bein' Quirky with Zooey Deschanel 4/7/12

Abby Elliot as Zooey Deschanel: Her impression is not that great but I love the way she portrays her. With the cutesy songs and vintage setting-very Zooey. If Zooey had her own show, it would be this sketch.

Taran Killam as Michael Cera: Such an odd choice for an impression to do but he does it so spot on. He does the best impressions of people you would never think of. He has great potential on this show.

Kristen Wiig as Drew Barrymore: I especially like how she does an impression of her when she is close friends with her. They did Whip It! together so Wiig's impression is in good fun. And still spot on.

Sofia Vergara as Fran Dreschner: I was wondering what impressions she could possibly do but this isn't too bad. Not amazing but it works.

Andy Samberg as Mayim Bialik: Andy always plays odd looking girls or basically any Jewish person. And it's always funny.

Commercial Parody 4/7/12

Jason Sudekis and Andy Samberg. "Just Friends" Booty Shorts. Because they're totally straight. Also, "Not Gay" tank tops.
Short, sweet, funny play on the extremes of bromances.

Sofia's Monologue 4/7/12

"In Colombia it is every girl's dream to marry Al Bundy." hahah very nice.

Hahah she is now talking about how her accent makes everything sexy like: Gonorrhea, Rick Santorum and New Jersey.

Cold-Open Sketch 4/7/12

Jason Sudekis as robot-esque Mitt Romney. I love how they are playing off of the many gaffe's that Romney has committed throughout this primary; saying he loves random things and trying to come off as a normal citizen and he's just so awkward.


hahahhaha and now they have Jason as Mitt Romney being awkward trying to host the show. very clever.

Live Blogging Tonight's New Episode! 4/7/12

New Cast Member?!

Kate McKinnon is the new cast member of SNL. Click here for more info

New Episode This Coming Weekend

'Ello all!
SNL has been on hiatus for the past few weeks but April 7th means a new episode with some fresh faces. This week's host will be Modern Family's Sofia Vergara. 
And the musical guest will be the UK's X-Factor contestants, One Direction. Yes, that is a boy band. Now before you get up in arms about why they are the musical guest, let me explain something to you. Not only are they the UK's hottest rising musicians but they are blowing up in the US as well. They appeared on the Kid's Choice Awards this weekend and needless to say, the girls in the audience went apeshit, as did I. 

Both Sofia and One Direction are new to the live comedy scene that is Saturday Night Live. I am excited to see what the writers will do with this. I will not be surprised if One Direction appears in at least one sketch. When Justin Bieber was the musical guest, he appeared in a skit with the then host, Tina Fey. Honestly, it is one of my favorite sketches I've seen in awhile. Don't you dare knock JBiebs until you've seen this:


Part of the reason why I think that young up and comers make such a big hit on this show is because no one expects it to be as funny as it is. The initial shock of seeing them completely out of their element is part of the comedy. I think this weekend's episode will prove this to be true for both Sofia Vergara and One Direction.