Pete Davidson Holds Nothing Back in Touching SNL Farewell: ‘Thank You… For Never Giving Up on Me’
NBCFor the last time on Saturday night, Pete Davidson stopped by the “Weekend Update” desk to say goodbye and talk about how improbable it was that he ever became one of SNL’s most famous cast members.“Hello, Colin and Che and millions of people only watching to see if I bring up Kanye,” Davidson began, referring to his very public feud with girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s ex.“I never imagined this would be my life,” he said, describing the 20-year-old who joined the show in 2014 as being “a skinny
news.yahoo.comTom Hanks and Tina Fey Do Their Best to Salvage SNL’s COVID-Stricken 2021 Finale
NBCThe situation at 30 Rock’s Studio 8H was a fluid one fraught with uncertainty.Around 3 p.m. Saturday, the New York Post reported that there had been a COVID outbreak of sorts among the Saturday Night Live cast, with “a set insider” telling the paper “that ‘four actors’ have tested positive for coronavirus—and ‘three others’ have called out because they are now ‘fearful’ about coming to NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Center, where the weekly sketch show is filmed in Midtown.” SNL subsequently a
news.yahoo.comKennedy Center Honors ceremony returns to pay tribute to Bette Midler, Berry Gordy, Joni Mitchell, Lorne Michaels and Justino Diaz
Singer and actress Bette Midler, Motown founder Berry Gordy, folk singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels, and opera singer Justino Diaz are honored.
cbsnews.comKennedy Center Honors and its traditions are back once more
The Kennedy Center Honors is returning to tradition this year. The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence will be presented Sunday night in a gala at the Kennedy Center's main opera house after the coronavirus pandemic forced delays and major changes to last year's plans. Honorees include Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.
news.yahoo.comMotown Founder, ‘Saturday Night Live’ Producer Among 2021 Kennedy Center Honorees
WASHINGTON — The founder of Motown Records and the producer of “Saturday Night Live” are among the five artists who will be honored with lifetime achievement awards at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., later this year. The 44th annual Kennedy Center Honors will recognize singer/actress Bette Midler, singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell and opera star Justino Díaz, in addition to.Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, and Lorne Michaels, producer of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” TV show. “In the 1960s, Gordy moved his artists into television, being among the first black artists on shows like ‘American Bandstand’ and ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’” a Kennedy Center press release states. In 2016, Michaels was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor,” the Kennedy Center said in a press release. “She is an icon of modern music and one of the most influential creators of our age,” the Kennedy Center stated.
thewestsidegazette.comDon Johnson gets his funny on with help from 'SNL' stars
This image released by NBC shows, from left, Don Johnson as Rick, Chris Redd as Gary, and Kenan Thompson as Kenan in a scene from the comedy series "Kenan," premiering on Feb. 16. (Casey Durkin/NBC via AP)LOS ANGELES – Don Johnson is getting his funny on with help from a couple of “Saturday Night Live” stars. Johnson's most recent forays into series work came in ABC's “Blood and Oil” in 2015 and HBO's “Watchmen” in 2019. “Kenan and I got on the phone and I felt instant chemistry with Kenan,” Johnson said. Thompson will juggle shooting the series in Los Angeles and doing “SNL” in New York.
Sidelined 'Mean Girls' musical won't reopen on Broadway
FILE - The cast of "Mean Girls" performs at the 72nd annual Tony Awards on June 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Producers of the Broadway musical “Mean Girls” have decided not to restart when authorities allow theaters to reopen in New York City, the second and likely not last established show to be a casualty of COVID-19 on the Great White Way. “We remain excited to bring this musical to the big screen, relaunch the tour and prepare for a London production,” said “Saturday Night Live” and “Mean Girls” producer Lorne Michaels in a statement. Broadway theaters abruptly closed on March 12, knocking out all shows, including 16 that were still scheduled to open. Late May is the earliest Broadway will reopen, according to the Broadway League.
Jack White to replace Morgan Wallen as 'SNL' musical guest
NEW YORK – Jack White will be the last-minute replacement musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” after country singer Morgan Wallen was dropped for breaking COVID-19 protocols. Wallen was removed as musical guest on Thursday after TikTok videos showed him partying last weekend without a mask on among a large group of people. Lorne Michaels announced White as a fill-in Friday on the “Today” show. “Saturday Night Live,” which will be hosted this Saturday by comedian Bill Burr, resumed live in-studio shows last weekend with a smaller live audience. Guests were required to take a COVID-19 test and temperature check at arrival, and wear masks inside the building.
Dave Chappelle to be honored with Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
(CNN) - Dave Chappelle is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday. In honor of Chappelle accepting the award, here are a few (almost impossible to chose) of his most classic bits and skits. (Strong language warning). (Strong language warning). (Strong language warning).
Shane Gillis' firing splits comedy community
NEW YORK - While some comedians are defending Shane Gillis after his firing from "Saturday Night Live" this week, others are supporting NBC's decision. "After talking with Shane Gillis, we have decided that he will not be joining 'SNL'," a spokesperson for the show said in a statement Monday on behalf of producer Lorne Michaels. "I don't know him, never heard of him," but "NBC of course bailed on him," Stern said. Two requested their names not be used in this story, citing "SNL's" influence in the comedy community and fear of professional retribution from comedy club bookers for defended Gillis. Another comic, who is based in Los Angeles and makes regular television appearances, said that while he doesn't know Gillis personally, he thinks industry executives are sometimes too quick to fire someone.