Kristen Wiig on The Huffington Post

SNL Mocks Fox's Election Coverage, Glenn Beck's Spelling Problems (VIDEO)

2009-11-08T07:59:34Z

"Saturday Night Live" opened last night with a sketch lampooning Fox News's election coverage. Yes, the 2009 elections dominated cable news coverage consisted of exactly two gubernatorial races and two congressional seats, but that didn't stop Fox News from spinning it as a referendum on Obama's presidency.

SNL's sketch focused on a panel lead by Greta Van Susteren (aptly played by Kristen Wiig) of three conservative voices and Joe Trippi, representing all Democrats. The latter was not called on to speak once.

At one point, Greta threw to Glenn Beck--Jason Sudeikis's greatest role to date--who was crying, trying on hats, and having linguistic problems on a chalk board. "Oh, and Greta, I also realized you could rearrange the letters of your name to spell 'A Great' and it was a great night--a great great night for a great great nation."

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Rachel Sklar: Megan Fox on SNL : Upstaged by the F-Word

2009-09-26T21:00:28Z

UPDATE: Well! That was an eventful season premiere. The biggest takeaway: Newcomer Jenny Slate dropping the F-bomb on live TV. Wow. That may change everything I said below. Scroll down for my post-show takeaway.
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In its 34th season last year, SNL went mainstream — super mainstream. Thanks to Tina Fey's uncanny resemblance to Sarah Palin — a vice-presidential candidate who revealed herself to be a headline machine in one of the most riveting election seasons in U.S. history — SNL hit its stride with viral video after viral video, which skyrocketed it out of the realm of late-night ratings and onto daytime computer screens across the nation (and newscasts, and 24-hour cable shows, and The View, etc. etc. etc.) Finally figuring out how to make videos embeddable and loosening the next-day pickup sphincter helped, too. At long last, the choruses of "SNL sucks! I never watch it" were quelled.

Fast forward a year. Tonight SNL premieres its 35th season (well, if you don't count the last two Thursdays). Times are tougher than ever for network television — Tivo is king, appointment television is scarcer than ever, Jay Leno has brought comedy to 10 pm. Okay, maybe not that last thing. The point is, SNL is premiering tonight in a non-election year — and expectations are high. How can it possibly meet them?

Two words: Megan Fox.

Actually, I'm not really joking. SNL's bread and butter is in buzz — picking great hosts and bands to encourage people to tune in. See above re: appointment television. In the Internet Age, they now also have to worry about next-day pickup. So who better to kick off the season than the Internet's favorite pin-up girl? She's already making the video rounds with her appearance on Jimmy Fallon, her SNL promos and Thursday Update cameo, and her recent headline-grabbing comments about her vagina. (This girl is a media superstar for a reason.)

She already showed herself to be game and a good sport on Thursday, and it made next-day news — whatever happens with the ratings tonight, SNL only needs one or two knockout skits to burn up the Internet the next day.

But it does need them. It needs them because it its 35th year, SNL has never had more competition horning in on their beat. There's Jon Stewart (who just beat them for an Emmy!) and Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel ("F**ing Matt Damon," anyone?) and Jimmy Fallon (darling of the Internerds) and even Leno (he's got five days a week to come up with something). So SNL needs to be memorable and fresh and funny (think: the Ahmedinejad "Iran So Far" spoof or Amy Poehler's pregnant Palin Rap).

Note that neither of these skits mentioned featured a guest host — the blockbusters often don't, and that's as it should be. The SNL regulars and writers are there because they're damned talented, and it's their job to create memorable, hilarious moments to make the whole show good (at least until Update). Jason Sudeikis' send-up of Glenn Beck is already a hit, and strong supporting characters like Bill Hader's impression of James Carville or really anything by Kristen Wiig will keep the chattering online classes buzzing the next day (we all need something to post, right? Thanks for the traffic, SNL!).

But the guest hosts are there to create that spark of excitement, that unique OMG moment that will instantly set Twitter ablaze. SNL needs that. It's the catalyst for everything else. Because fundamentally, SNL is not just about comedy, it's about Zeitgeist. So they'd damn well better tap into it.

Megan Fox, you're on.

Update to the Update: So, in addition to the fact that SNL newcomer Jenny Slate dropped the F-word on live TV, how was the show? Well, much like Joe Wilson heckling President Obama during his address to Congress, it's hard to separate the two — this event will be the big headline coming out of tonight. (Oh my gosh that is another thing Barack Obama and Megan Fox have in common!) As I noted on Twitter, I would have liked to have seen Fox given a little more to work with — we get that she's hot, so being a sex line operator/sex video demo girl/sexy mute Russian mail-order bride doesn't exactly stretch her. Jon Hamm is hot, but he got some great stuff to work with. That said, Fox was a great team player in both digital shorts (let's not forget that there is value in being a good straight-man supporting actor, setting your partner up for the laughs) and came off as very natural in that and "Megan Fox Talks To Your Mom." Twitter seemed to resent the fact that she "couldn't act" but this seemed pretty good to me. I feel like Fox could have risen to the challenge, had one been put in front of her. Curious as to what was cut from dress rehearsal. But also! Did you hear that someone dropped an F-bomb on SNL? You can't not hear it if you watch these clips.

Related in SNL:
35 Years of SNL News Spoofs
"Glenn Beck" Makes SNL Debut
'I Can See Russia From My House': A Year of Sarah Palin, The Video Highlights
The 13 Funniest SNL Digital Shorts Of All Time
SNL@ UCB: Live From New York, A Show By Family, For Family

Related in Megan Fox:
What Megan Fox Has In Common With Barack Obama
A Day Without Megan Fox
About 800 Pairs of Megan Fox's Boobs

Related in F-Bomb Dropping:
SNL's Jenny Slate Drops F-Bomb On Season Premiere
FCC Clears Bono of Obscenity Charge
'System of a Down' F-Bomb May Be Blow To 'SNL,' NBC

Best Supporting Actress Nominees Sport Odd Eyewear For Emmys (PHOTOS)

2009-09-20T23:16:45Z

The ladies nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy banded together tonight to sport silly glasses (or an eye patch in Poehler's case) as Jon Hamm and Tina Fey read their names during the 2009 Emmy Awards. Vanessa Williams did not participate, either out of annoyance or as the punch line to a quirky joke. Tell us who you thought looked the best!

SNL Takes On Republicans In Congress Over Joe Wilson Outburst (VIDEO)

2009-09-18T08:38:32Z

"Saturday Night Live" premiered its new spin-off show last night, a half hour version of Weekend Update that joins NBC's Thursday comedy block. They opened the program, hosted by Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers, with a typical SNL political sketch that still ended with "Live from New York it's Saturday night," despite the fact that it clearly wasn't.

The sketch centered around Joe Wilson's outburst during a joint session of Congress in which he yelled "you lie" at the president. According to SNL, the outburst was planned by the Republican leadership, but Joe Wilson was left in the lurch after he went to the bathroom while the rest of the representatives reconsidered their plan.

Kristen Wiig appeared as Michele Bachmann, mocking the congresswoman for her rhetorical choices, and Fred Armisen played a Republican playing Obama, making the whole thing as meta as possible.

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Alex Leo: Tom Shales Is So Right, Beautiful Women Are Terrible At Comedy

2009-09-08T20:34:32Z

"Two new women who will have the status of featured players -- Jenny Slate and Iranian-born Nasim Pedrad -- will join the cast [of 'Saturday Night Live'], not as replacements for anybody, Michaels says, although cute Casey Wilson and glamorous Michaela Watkins have concurrently left. Watkins may have been just too classically pretty to be hilarious."

- Tom Shales, Washington Post

As I was home alone, skimming blogs, being fat and ugly, I came across Julie Klausner's post on Tom Shales's recent take on "SNL"'s hirings and firings. It was hard to read, not because of the content, but because the boil on my left cheek has started to obscure my vision. As a woman in comedy, I understood his point: Being "classically pretty" works against you. I mulled this idea as I wiped ice cream from my mole hair, "This must be why Marilyn Monroe was so terrible in 'Some Like It Hot,'" I thought, rubbing my hump, "and why Tina Fey never made anything of herself after SNL."

I picked up a copy of the "Washington Post" and was relieved that the newsprint that rubbed off on my hands covered my psoria-eczematic wounds, but couldn't find any further thoughts on his brilliant theory. So I again returned to my cave and searched on the Internet, finding this:

"I thought Ms Watkins looked like a model; very elegant, quite quite pretty. It seemed like maybe comedy is too messy a business for someone like her. I couldn't see her letting herself get messed up for laughs -- not that there's much slapstick any more, it's just that comedy is by its nature indecorous, if there is such a word."

How true! The only reason I find messiness comfortable is because I live a troll-like existence using debris and refuse to shield me from the taunts of the outside world. How Lorne would love me! It's not as if beauty works to a comedienne's advantage. Sarah Silverman, Aisha Tyler, Chelsea Handler, Amy Sedaris, and Kristen Wiig are all gorgeous and massive disappointments. Maybe "Saturday Night Live" will pay me double now that my goitre is almost the size of my head.

Michaela Watkins & Casey Wilson FIRED From 'SNL' (VIDEO)

2009-09-04T12:03:42Z

According to the king of comedy news, Sean McCarthy (and confirmed by Michaela Watkins), Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson have been fired from the cast of "Saturday Night Live" after just one season. McCarthy broke the news earlier this week that the show hired comedians Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad for the upcoming season, but no one seemed aware that they were replacements--not additions.

Watkins joined the cast last fall along with Abby Elliot, who will remain on the cast. Wilson was already there, having been hired in February 2008. Watkins was perhaps best known for her impression of Arianna Huffington, but she also played Ann Coulter, Barbara Walters, Glenn Close, Hoda Kotb, and Joan Rivers. Her character Angie Tempura was a regular on Weekend Update where she promoted her snarky website "Bitch Pleeze."

WATCH:

Wilson did impressions of Jennifer Aniston, Christina Hendricks, Rachel Ray, and Elizabeth Taylor. The pair also appeared together in a regular sketch called "Cougar Den."

WATCH:

'Whip It' FIRST LOOK: Ellen Page At The Roller Derby

2009-07-17T13:50:14Z

Fox Searchlight has just released the trailer for 'Whip It,' a girl power and indie-rock infused coming-of-age film starring Ellen Page and helmed by first-time director Drew Barrymore.

Ellen Page, in her usual angsty misfit role, is a foundering teen beauty contestant in her small Texas town until roller derby queens Juliette Lewis and Kristen Wiig help her find her place in the rink. This isn't the plan her mom (Marcia Gay Harden) had in mind, but it looks like a lot of fun. The terrific supporting cast also includes Jimmy Fallon, Eve and Daniel Stern.

'Whip It' opens October 9.

WATCH the trailer:

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Kristen Wiig Is Not Into Puppets (VIDEO)

2009-06-16T10:51:12Z

We're actually not sure if Barry is a puppet or a teddy bear or some sort of furry sex toy. Whatever he is, he's freaky, but not more so than his obviously-in-need-of-therapy owner. Run, Kristen Wiig, Run!

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KRISTEN WIIG & BRIAN PETSOS in Barry from Kristen Wiig

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THE 12 SEXIEST COMICS IN AMERICA (SLIDESHOW)

2009-05-28T16:22:15Z

This week we asked you who the sexiest comics were on the scene, mostly because we have a thing for funny people. We chose 15 men and 15 women and after days of voting we found that our readers love the women of "SNL" and the men of the "Daily Show." Who knew? Of the top six women, four were cast members of "Saturday Night Live" at some point. Of the top six men, four are currently on the "Daily Show" and another (Colbert) started out there.

In all fairness, there are some people that should've been on these lists in the first place but we ran out of room/forgot to include them: Mindy Kaling, Wanda Sykes, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Jones, Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, we are truly sorry and think you're all seriously sexy. Also, Sherri Shepherd and Zach Galifianakis, you are amazing, don't let your last place finishes tell you anything except that there are some jealous haters out there.

Here are our top 12 reader picks...

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Funny & Fine: Who's America's Sexiest Comedienne? You Decide! (SLIDESHOW) (POLL)

2009-05-26T18:41:28Z

We've selected 15 of the sexiest funny ladies we know for a HuffPost poll of ridiculous proportions. They're all hilarious, they're all more comedienne than actress, and they're all smarter than you. Think we're missing someone? Complain about it in the comments section! Want the guys list? Click here and vote for them too!

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: Season Finale (Will Ferrell)

2009-05-17T15:35:54Z

You have questions about the season finale of Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? YES. Unpopular former Vice President Dick Cheney (Darrell Hammond, in his SNL swan song), got interrupted from his newfound love of media appearances by Will Ferrell in his now Tony-nominated performance of ex-President George W. Bush. Ferrell as Bush did get in a couple of digs on VP Joe Biden, wondering why Cheney wouldn't go out for burgers with him, and why Cheney wouldn't say dumb things to make Bush look smarter.

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Will Ferrell dominated the episode from start to finish, appearing in every sketch of the night and bringing back his memorable impersonations of Bush, Alex Trebek and the ghost of Harry Caray.

Who played President Obama? Not present. Looks like they took the hint.

Was there a digital short? NO.

Was there a fake ad? YES, BUT. It was a blast from the past. Specifically, Season #26, Epsiode 11 (Feb. 10, 2001), in which Ferrell played the dog-hating Wade Blasingame, ESQ., attorney at law. He has sued more than 2,000 dogs for getting away with things humans never could.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Green Day proved they still can provide some power chord punk-pop, with two singles off their upcoming new release, "Know Your Enemy" and "21 Guns."

Did my favorite character return? YES. Aside from all of the impersonations, Kristen Wiig's big-headed, tiny-handed singing sister returned in another Lawrence Welk sketch.

Were there any celebrity cameos? YES. TONS. Tom Hanks played himself in the Jeopardy sketch, pretending to be dumber than you could possibly believe anyone to be, and playing it straight. Former SNLers Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Norm MacDonald also returned; Poehler to the Weekend Update desk, Rudolph singing in a funeral sketch, and MacDonald playing Burt Reynolds on Jeopardy. Elisabeth Moss (Fred Armisen's fiancee) showed up briefly in the all-star singalong to Billy Joel's "Goodnight, Saigon." As did earlier season 34 SNL hosts Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd. As did Artie Lange, for reasons unknown (other than being pals with MacDonald, I suppose).

Did any celebrities get impersonated? YES. The Celebrity Jeopardy sketch featured Ferrell as Alex Trebek, Hammond as Sean Connery, MacDonald as Burt Reynolds and Wiig as Kathie Lee Gifford. We also saw an NBA on TNT sketch with Bill Hader as Ernie Johnson and Kenan Thompson as Charles Barkley. And Fred Armisen played Lawrence Welk.

Did any politicians get impersonated? YES. See the aforementioned cold open.

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

SNL: Will Ferrell's Celebrity Jeopardy Return (VIDEO)

2009-05-17T08:36:48Z

Will Ferrell hosted "Saturday Night Live" and brought back his Alex Trebek in a Celebrity Jeopardy skit.

Celebrity players included Kathie Lee (Kristen Wiig), Tom Hanks (Tom Hanks), Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) and a late-arriving Burt Reynolds (Norm McDonald).

WATCH THE OPENING BUSH/CHENEY SKETCH

WATCH:

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: #34.22 (Justin Timberlake)

2009-05-11T15:37:58Z

It's late. You have questions about last weekend's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? YES. Will Forte, as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, revealed that the feds had given the nation's banks a written test in addition to the "stress test" to see if they could remain viable. And some of the banks didn't take the test seriously enough, it seemed. About as funny as one could make a sketch about bankers.

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Justin Timberlake did exactly everything you'd expect from him -- which is both great and kinda predictable. Take your pick. Do you love JT? Then you loved him on SNL. But he did essentially reprise just about everything you had seen him do in his previous hosting gigs there. Lots of talent. Lots of energy. Little in the surprise department.

Who played President Obama? With the real-life Obama cracking jokes and getting ribbed at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night in D.C., perhaps this was a good time for an Obama-free SNL. Or the worst time?!

Was there a digital short? YES. JT and Andy Samberg produced a follow-up to their award-winning "Dick in a Box" with a gift for Mother's Day, "Mother Lover." Yes, they slept with each other's mothers for Mother's Day. The twist: Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson played the moms!

Was there a fake ad? YES. Also Mother's Day related, Jason Sudeikis helped sell a Mom Celebrity Translator. It was funny because it's usually true.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Ciara performed two songs, one with Justin Timberlake. Good. Let's move on.

Did my favorite character return? YES. Kristen Wiig's Target Lady was back to annoy the customers, but this time with a friend in "Peg" (Timberlake). We also saw the return of the Barry Gibb Talk Show (Timberlake with Jimmy Fallon), and Timberlake & Forte teamed up for a new spin on an old sketch, this time singing about Plasticville instead of Homelessville or Omeletville.

Were there any celebrity cameos? YES. In addition to Sarandon, Clarkson and Fallon, we also got a trio of Star Trek actors onto the Weekend Update desk, with Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine and Leonard Nimoy promoting their movie.

Did any celebrities get impersonated? YES. Jimmy Fallon returned to SNL to play Barry Gibb with Timberlake as Bee Gee Robin. That sketch had "celebrity" guests but were overshadowed so much by the "Gibbs" that you'd be hard-pressed to remember them.

Did any politicians get impersonated? YES. In addition to Forte's Geithner, Bill Hader as disgraced former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer and Fred Armisen as current Gov. David Patterson returned to the Update desk to tell more New Jersey jokes, and Wiig appeared briefly as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

Ricky Gervais' Flanimals to Become Animated 3D Movie

2009-04-29T11:12:16Z

Universal Pictures' Illumination Entertainment have announced that they are developing a 3D animated feature film based on the Ricky Gervais children's book series Flanimals. Simpsons writer Matt Selman is working on the script based on the four volume series illustrated by Rob Steen. The books take readers to a "far, far away to a distant planet" inhabited by 50 species of "ugly and misshapen" creatures. Gervais will voice the lead character, a "pudgy, perspiring purple creature, goes on a mission to change the world". Seems like the books were just about all the crazy creatures, and Selman is trying to form a narrative around the characters source: Variety ²

Illumination, formed to give Universal a presence in family and animated fare, is in production on Despicable Me, a film that Universal will release July 9, 2010. The film's lead voices are delivered by Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews. Lying is a comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain. ¹

Ricky Gervais' Flanimals Headed to the Screen (The Moving Picture)
Ricky Gervais' Flanimals to Become Animated 3D Movie (/film)

Read more: Kristen Wiig, Ricky Gervais, Home News

Universal to Develop Ricky Gervais' Flanimals Animated 3D Movie

2009-04-29T06:21:09Z

Simpsons writer Matt Selman is working on the script based on the four volume series illustrated by Rob Steen. The books take readers to a "far, far away to a distant planet" inhabited by 50 species of "ugly and misshapen" creatures. Gervais will voice the lead character, a "pudgy, perspiring purple creature, goes on a mission to change the world". Seems like the books were just about all the crazy creatures, and Selman is trying to form a narrative around the characters source: Variety ³

Illumination, formed to give Universal a presence in family and animated fare, is in production on Despicable Me, a film that Universal will release July 9, 2010. The film's lead voices are delivered by Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews. Lying is a comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain. ¹

Universal-based Illumination Entertainment will create a 3-D animated feature based on "Flanimals," a children's book series by Ricky Gervais. ²

Ricky Gervais' Flanimals Headed to the Screen (The Moving Picture)
Gervais' 'Flanimals' Heads to Bigscreen (Variety)
Universal to Develop Ricky Gervais' Flanimals Animated 3D Movie (/film)

Read more: Kristen Wiig, Ricky Gervais, Home News

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: Zac Efron and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2009-04-12T15:47:52Z

It's Sunday. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? YES. Vice President Joe Biden (Jason Sudeikis) got caught acting all too comfy in the oval office when President Obama (Fred Armisen) returned from his first big trip overseas. No gifts for Biden!

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Zac Efron played the straight man, so to speak, and instead of putting him in a dress or making him seem foolish (other than singing with Kathie Lee as Cody Gifford), his night was spent mostly allowing the craziness to happen around him. I suppose if you were a tween who stayed up late (or recorded this), you were just happy to see Efron.

Who played President Obama? Armisen. Why do we even keep including this question...

Was there a digital short? NO.

Was there a fake ad? Sort of, kind of. Sudeikis played David Pappas, president of the alliance of direct mail marketers, in a video short explaining exactly how much a tree is worth in terms of all of that "junk" that shows up in your mailbox. The people at Chili's will be happy to see anyone mentioning their "fake" ad that ran during the first commercial break.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? The Yeah Yeah Yeahs continued a recent trend, in which a loved but not well-known musical act performs its new single first ("Zero"), and returns later in the show with one of their first big hits ("Maps") that all the hip kids have loved for years already.

Did my favorite character return? YES. If you enjoy the parodies of the fourth hour of NBC's Today with Hoda Kotb (Michaela Watkins) and Kathie Lee Gifford (Kristen Wiig), Wiig's troublemaking student Gilly (which seems to be shaping up as a one-trick pony the show will be riding a la Debbie Downer or Pat), the New Jersey gay couple (Bill Hader and Armisen), celebrity blogger Angie Tempura (Watkins), and opposite band Jon Bovi (Will Forte and Sudeikis).

Were there any celebrity cameos? NO.

Did any celebrities get impersonated? YES. Fred Armisen played Penny Marshall sending well-wishes to Wiig's Kathie Lee Gifford (alongside Watkins as Hoda Kotb). Darrell Hammond appeared all-too-briefly (again), this time as a thawed-out Walt Disney, in a sketch in which Efron reprised his High School Musical role as Troy Bolton.

Did any politicians get impersonated? YES. Sudeikis as VP Biden, and Bill Hader as disgraced former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer.

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

Judge Extracts the Funny

2009-04-10T06:56:18Z

He's gone back to a work environment setting, this time in a warehouse where no one seems to do any actual working. In the film, Jason Bateman plays the straight man, the boss of the warehouse, and Mila Kunis plays the hot temp who shows up one day to tempt our hero. Back at home, Kristen Wiig plays the wife who is stingy with the hoo-haa, while a barely recognizable Ben Affleck plays Bateman's pot-smoking best friend. "Extract" co-stars Dustin Milligan, the always hilarious J.K. Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr., Matt Schulze, David Koechner, and Beth Grant. ¹

Though Office Space is still a favourite, I didn't love Idiocracy which had a few funny jokes but mostly missed the mark. Extract stars Jason Bateman (I know at least one of you is excited about this) as the owner of a flower-extract plant, a dude living a quietly painful life. His wife (the impressive Kristen Wiig) isn't all that interested in sex, his buddy (Ben Affleck) provides moral support while his co-worker J.K. Simmons seems to be encouraging a relationship with the temp (Mila Kunis). ²

Trailer for Mike Judge's Extract Looks Friggin' Hilarious (BeyondHollywood)
Judge Extracts the Funny (Row Three)

Mike Judge's Extract Trailer Starring Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck

2009-04-09T12:23:26Z

I'm a huge Judge fan ; been following the dude since way back during his Beavis and Butthead days, and haven't really disliked anything he's put out. ³

The first trailer for the upcoming Mike Judge s comedy "Extract," which stars Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Clifton Collins Jr., Mila Kunis and Kristen Wiig is online and really looks good. The story centers on a flower extract factory owner (Jason Bateman) who's dealing with workplace problems and a streak of bad luck, including his wife's affair with a gigolo. Mila Kunis will play a factory worker, Kristin Wigg is Bateman's wife, and Ben Affleck is his lawyer. Clifton Collins Jr. is another factory worker who loses a body part in a freak accident and is now due for a huge settlement. "Extract" is set for release on September 4, in limited release, and nationwide on September 11, 2009 ²

Extract chronicles the trials and tribulations in the life of Joel (Jason Bateman), an normal guy who owns a flower extract plant. Check out the trailer (via Cinematical) after the jump and let us know what you think in the comments ⁴

New Trailer for Extract (Screen Crave)
Mike Judge's Extract Trailer Starring Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck (FilmoFilia)
Trailer Premiere: Mike Judge's 'Extract'! (Cinematical)
Movie Trailer: Mike Judge's Extract (/film)

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: #34.20 (Seth Rogen)

2009-04-05T14:09:45Z

It's Sunday. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? YES. Fred Armisen delivered a speech supposedly from Europe as President Barack Obama, and after acknowledging all of the Euro love for him, told business leaders that his administration would not treat them any differently than they have the auto industry, when Obama forced out GM's CEO and told the car companies what's what if they want to keep getting federal subsidies. Which led to a random rundown of various businesses with Obama choosing sides. Apparently, he likes Coke and Pepsi (despite or perhaps because Pepsi changed its logo to look like his campaign banners?!). Spoiler alert?

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Seth Rogen noted upfront in his monologue that the second time around the SNL hosting train feels a bit different. If you like Rogen already, then you would be pleased with his effort. But I cannot think of anything he did that really stood out, good or bad. He was a good sport, though, in letting the cast poke fun at his looks, and the very idea that he was on to promote a second mall cop comedy movie in 2009.

Who played President Obama? Armisen. His vocal impersonation seemed way off this time around. Does that sort of thing matter to you? If so, then you'll still think SNL needs a new guy mocking the big guy.

Was there a digital short? YES Was it funny? NO. Unless you really want to hear Andy Samberg rap again. In this instance, he raps his office job performance review to say he thinks his a day in his life is "Like A Boss."

Was there a fake ad? Sort of, kind of. There was a taped sketch poking this weekend's number-one movie, with Rogen and Samberg playing off both of their tendencies to see homoeroticism as funny in a fake trailer for The Fast & The Bi-Curious.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Phoenix, a French band, sounded arty rock good but didn't look French.

Did my favorite character return? Yes, if you enjoy Bill Hader's Italian talk show host, Vinny Vedecci. And especially a thousand times yes if you loved Will Forte and Kristen Wiig playing country singing duo Clancy T. Bachleratt and Jackie Sned, selling songs about spaceships, toddlers, Model-T cars and jars of beer, this time with an Easter theme. Also, Kenan Thompson's French "Def Jam" comic, Jean K. Jean, appeared again on the Weekend Update desk to comment on Obama's European trip.

Were there any celebrity cameos? NO.

Did any celebrities get impersonated? YES. Newcomer Abby Elliott brought back her Angelina Jolie to poke fun at Wiig's Madonna after a Malawi judge rejected her bid to adopt another baby. And if you count comic strip characters and Muppets as celebrities, then there were a couple dozen more impressions to add to this list.

Did any politicians get impersonated? Jason Sudeikis put on the Blago 'do as indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pitched an idea to go undercover...as the governor of Illinois.

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

SNL: Madonna And Angelina In Weekend Update Adoption-Off (VIDEO)

2009-04-05T09:30:58Z

During "Saturday Night Live's" Weekend Update, Madonna and Angelina Jolie sparred in a baby-off.

Madonna was just denied a second child from Malawi while Jolie has adopted kids from Cambodia, Vietnam and Ethiopia.

Madonna, played by Kristen Wiig, told Seth Meyers, "I love babies, but I especially love getting babies from crazy places."

Moments later Jolie, played by Amy Elliot, interrupts and challenges Madonna over who has babies from more exotic locales.

WATCH:

The "Flight Of The Conchords" Guys Told You They Were Freaky (VIDEO)

2009-03-16T12:00:54Z

This week, Bret and Jemaine staged a mugging to impress a lady (looks like they forgot about Kristen Wiig already!) But the truly impressive part was the song "I Told You I Was Freaky" that features awesome lyrics like, "You can be a squirrel and store my nuts for me," and some of the craziest visuals FOTC has ever offered up.

Unfortunately, next weekend is the season finale, and may be the series finale. Last summer, the Kiwis told the British magazine "Q" that the show would be ending after this year, saying:

"The second series seems to me like it would be a good end to the show. I feel like another 10... that will be enough."

Oh, well, enjoy it while you can.

WATCH:

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: Tracy Morgan

2009-03-15T15:01:55Z

It's Sunday. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? NO! Hooray for that. SNL took a break (mostly) from politics last night and embraced the carefree nature of its host, Tracy Morgan.

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? It's Tracy Morgan. What do you think? Actually, at this point, Morgan has crafted such a reputation for seeming to be outrageous, that hardly anything would surprise us at this point. Or would it? He did have a few great moments last night, neither of which were available online for repeat viewings just yet. Among them: Coining a new euphemism in "green dugout" and helming a movie masterpiece in "Rocket Dog."

Who played President Obama? Nobody. I already told you they took a break from politics this week.

Was there a digital short? YES.

Was it funny? YES. "Party Guys" features Andy Samberg and Bill Hader mocking everyone at a lame house party in the most literal of ways. Pay close attention and you'll see some seriously silly images.

Was there a fake ad? Yes, yes and sorta kinda. Two fake ads from past episodes made return appearances (Chewable Pampers, Gas Right) and both went for the gross-out gag. Tracy Morgan also starred in a live ad spoof sketch as a doctor promoting an anti-erection pill called Suppressex, with him and Bill Hader as a shopping mall Santa making some inappropriate examples to illustrate the need for such a pill.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Kelly Clarkson sang two of her new hit singles, "My Life Would Suck Without You" and "I Do Not Hook Up," and performed them both well.

Did my favorite character return? It was a night full of recurring characters, from Morgan's old SNL bits Brian Fellow's Safari Planet and Astronaut Jones, to the "Scared Straight" parody, another mocking of the ladies of The View, and a second helping of Bill Hader's creepy Keith Morrison from Dateline NBC.

Were there any celebrity cameos? Yes, but if you blinked during the cold opening, you would have missed pro rassler John Cena and Tina Fey, both trying to keep Tracy Morgan from wreaking havoc on 30 Rock (the building, not the show).

Did any celebrities get impersonated? In addition to The View ladies (Kenan Thompson as Whoopi Goldberg, Fred Armisen as Joy Behar, Tracy Morgan as Sherri Shepherd, Kristen Wiig as Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Michaela Watkins as Barbara Walters), Bill Hader played John Malkovich as one of Bernie Madoff's many investment scam victims, and Wiig played the Barbie doll on her 50th birthday. We also got to see a short parody of HBO's Big Love, with Jason Sudeikis in Bill Paxton's patriarchal role, Wiig as Jeanne Tripplehorn, Abby Elliott as Chloe Sevigny and Casey Wilson as Ginnifer Goodwin.

Did any politicians get impersonated? Didn't I tell you already that SNL took a break from politics this weekend?

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

Sean L. McCarthy: The SNL FAQ: #34.18 (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson)

2009-03-08T11:13:29Z

It's Sunday morning. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? Of course they did. They almost always seem to since the 2008 election campaign. Will Forte played Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, taking calls from Americans with ideas to solve the banking crisis and possibly win $420 billion for it.

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Dwayne Johnson, formerly known as pro rassler "The Rock," is and always has been quite the ham sandwich, and though you might have (though should not have) been surprised to see and hear him sing, you'll likely remember most that he played "The Rock" Obama, the president's "Incredible Hulk" alter ego.

Who played President Obama? Fred Armisen, still, but he ceded his scene mostly to Johnson.

Was there a digital short? No.
Was it funny? Not applicable.

Was there a fake ad? Not exactly.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Ray LaMontagne may be thought of as this generation's American version of Van Morrison, and I mean that only in all of the best ways. He performed new single "You Are The Best Thing," and also "Trouble" off of his debut record.

Did my favorite character return? If you love MacGruber, he was back for a new trilogy, and this time, he made up for that whole Pepsi ad confusion by reuniting with his TV inspiration, MacGyver. The show also brought back "Jamie Lee Curtis" (Kristen Wiig) for another Activia commercial, in which the yogurt causes almost instantaneous reactions (read: pooping!).

Were there any celebrity cameos? Richard Dean Anderson, TV's MacGyver, co-starred in the "MacGruber" sketches. And Justin Timberlake, who we knew was in New York City this week because we saw him on Jimmy Fallon's new Late Night show, made an appearance as comic strip Cathy's husband, Irving, only to get sidetracked by Jessica Rabbit (Timberlake's real-life girlfriend, Jessica Biel). Va. Va. Voom.

Did any celebrities get impersonated? Aside from the aforementioned Jamie Lee Curtis (Kristen Wiig), we saw the return of Donald Trump (Darrell Hammond) and his Celebrity Apprentice stars Tom Green (Fred Armisen), Joan Rivers (Michaela Watkins) and Dennis Rodman (Dwayne Johnson).

Did any politicians get impersonated? Aside from the aforementioned Timothy Geitner (Will Forte) and Obama (Fred Armisen, Dwayne Johnson), we also saw Sen. John McCain (Darrell Hammond), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Kristen Wiig), Sen. Tom Coburn (Will Forte), and RNC Chairman Michael Steele (Kenan Thompson).

For the full recap and analysis of SNL, click here.

"Flight Of The Conchords" Guys Fight Over Kristen Wiig (VIDEO)

2009-02-23T12:31:55Z

"Flight of the Conchords" is probably the best music comedy show on television and while we loved last week's Michel-Gondry-directed episode, this week had us rolling on the floor.

Kristen Wiig of "SNL" fame guest-starred as the object of both men's affection.

The following is the song the two stars sing when they realize they have both fallen for the same lovely lady.

PS - The Eugene Mirman appearance is hilarious. I have often wished he would DJ my life.

WATCH:

SNL: Bjork, Michael Phelps "Really," And The "Today" Show (VIDEO)

2009-02-08T10:17:58Z

"Saturday Night Live" was hosted by Bradley Cooper ("He's Just Not That Into You," "Wedding Crashers") this week.

The show featured skits making fun of the fourth hour of "Today," the marijuana incident of Michael Phelps, Iceland's fiscal crisis and more.

See the Digital Short with T-Pain here.

During Weekend Update there were two segments on Michael Phelps' marijuana bust.

Seth Meyers did a "Really!?!" with his thoughts on Michael Phelps, on Kellogg's for possibly dropping him as a spokesman, and on whoever snapped the now-infamous bong photo and sold it to a tabloid.

"Parents, if your kid says Michael Phelps smokes pot, why can't I? Say you can, as soon as you win 12 gold medals for your country."

WATCH:

In the other, Andy Samberg played Mark Spitz commenting on the incident:

Also during Weekend Update, Icelandic singer Bjork (Kristen Wiig) commented on Iceland's economy. "Instead of paper money, we should change our currency to clouds."

In a second skit spoofing the fourth hour of "Today" (first one here) with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, Gifford (Wiig) continued with menopausal hot flashes and insults of Kotb (Michaela Watkins) while the two talked about current events and learned to model walk.