Latest news with #DanAykroyd
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dan Aykroyd explains why he skipped 'SNL 50' special and reveals moment that made him emotional watching at home
Aykroyd is still a devoted viewer of "Saturday Night Live" to this day. After all these years, Dan Aykroyd still isn't ready for primetime, but in this case, it was his choice. Earlier this year, Aykroyd, who broke out as an original member of the Saturday Night Live cast in the 1970s, was noticeably absent from the SNL 50 anniversary special. But he's still close to his Studio 8H roots and is even releasing a forthcoming graphic novel that continues the story of the Blues Brothers, one of his most iconic SNL characters. As it turns out, Aykroyd loves the NBC sketch show so much that he actively chose to sit out the 50th so that he could watch the special without interruption from home. "I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end," Aykroyd reveals to Entertainment Weekly while stopping by our video studio at Comic-Con 2025. "I knew if i was there, I'd be in a dressing room, I'd be working," he continues. "I wanted to see it live. I'm a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they're just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn." Several of Aykroyd's fellow original cast members were present, however, including Laraine Newman and Jane Curtin. Newman even did a sketch with more recent alum Pete Davidson in which she reminisced about her time on the show, while Davidson reprised his recurring character of Chad, responding "Okay" to Newman's heartfelt memories. Newman and Curtin also were responsible for one of the night's most moving moments, holding up a photograph of the late Gilda Radner during the cast's goodbyes at the end of the show. "Lorraine's piece definitely," Aykroyd responds when asked about what segment of the show made him most emotional. "That was beautiful. That was wonderful." Aykroyd also reminisces about his time making The Blues Brothers alongside blues legends that he grew up admiring. He remembers his time filming with Aretha Franklin in the diner in particular, noting that he was incredibly nervous to be sharing the screen with her. "As soon as she started to sing, I got a feeling in my stomach," he shares. "When I stood up off the stool, I thought my legs were going to buckle.""Jake and Elwood are still in jail in 1997, and now they're trophies and no one wants to let them go," Aykroyd teases of the book, which hits shelves on Oct. 7. "And the story picks up from there." Aykroyd also weighed in on Dylan O'Brien's portrayal of him in last year's Saturday Night. Watch his full interview in the livestream above. Check out more of . Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Dan Aykroyd finally reveals why he skipped the ‘SNL 50' special
Live from his living room…. Original 'Saturday Night Live' cast member Dan Aykroyd is finally revealing why he skipped the big 'SNL50' special in February. The three-hour event celebrated a landmark 50 years of the iconic NBC sketch comedy show. Many former cast members were in attendance, including Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Eddie Murphy, and Amy Poehler. Past hosts such as Jack Nicholson, 87, also attended, even though Nicholson has been spotted in public less frequently in recent years. 'I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,' Aykroyd, 73, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Thursday. 9 Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman in a 'The Coneheads' sketch on 'SNL' in the '70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Dan Aykroyd attends a panel for 'The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake' during Comic-Con International on in San Diego on July 24, 2025. Andrew Park/Invision/AP 9 The 'Saturday Night Live' original cast in 1975: Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, and Dan Aykroyd. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'I knew if i was there, I'd be in a dressing room, I'd be working. I wanted to see it live,' the 'Ghostbusters' star continued. 'I'm a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they're just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.' Aykroyd was in the cast when 'SNL' first premiered in 1975, along with John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman. The latter two were at the 'SNL 50' event. Newman, 73, did a sketch with Pete Davidson where she reminisced about her time on the show. When asked what part of the show made him most emotional, Aykroyd said, 'Laraine's piece definitely. That was beautiful. That was wonderful.' In November, Aykroyd previously weighed in on the rumors that 'SNL' boss Lorne Michaels, 80, may retire. 9 Paul Shaffer, Scarlett Johansson, Alex Moffat, Emil Wakim, Chloe Fineman, James Austin John, Paul Rudd, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Devon Walker, Taran Killem, Ana Gasteyer, John Mulaney, Kristen Wiig, Kenan Thompson, Pete Davidson, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Sherman as Michael Bloomberg, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, David Spade, Adam Driver, Kyle Mooney, Cecily Strong, Beck Bennett, and Nick Jonas on February 16, 2025. Theo Wargo/NBC 9 Lorne Michaels, Paul McCartney, Colin Jost, and more at the end of the 'SNL 50' special. Theo Wargo/NBC 9 Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as the 'Blues Brothers' in 1975. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection 'That ain't happening. No. Lorne is not retiring. He's got the greatest gig in New York City. He has influence and power,' he exclusively told The Post. 'And he works in a job that keeps him laughing every day. So why would he want to leave that?' Michaels has shepherded 'Saturday Night Live' for 50 years, since the inaugural 1975 season that included Aykroyd. Although Michaels hasn't announced retirement plans, he told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' in 2021 that he thinks he's 'committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years. 'I'd like to see that through, and I have a feeling that would be a really good time to leave,' he said at the time. Aykroyd said that in theory, there are other people who might be able to helm the show 'but it's not Lorne, and he's not leaving. He loves it. He's the only one who can do it, really… it's his life.' 9 Leslie Jones as Shanice, Tracy Morgan as Darius, Eddie Murphy as Tracy during the 'SNL 50' special. Chris Haston/NBC 9 Dan Aykroyd in a sketch as former Pres. Nixon in the '70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin in a sketch as 'Two Wild and Crazy Guys' circa the 70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection The 'Coneheads' star's time on 'SNL' was also dramatized in the 2024 movie 'Saturday Night,' which is about the events leading up to the show's inaugural broadcast in 1975. In the film, Dylan O'Brien ('Teen Wolf') plays Aykroyd. 'I thought it was like a suspense thriller, and beautifully executed by the cast,' he told The Post. 'I think it's a masterpiece, honestly. I think it could be up for Best Picture [at the Oscars].' The movie earned one Golden Globe nomination, but no Oscar noms. 'As I was there that night, the depictions of some of the characters were right on,' Aykroyd added. 'And, the tension of whether we were going to make it to air or not is expertly depicted. I liked it a lot.'
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Nepo baby performs debut gig and famous dad and his Hollywood A-list pal join her onstage – can you guess who she is?
THIS nepo baby was born and raised in Hollywood, and comes from a VERY famous family. That's why the rising star thrilled fans when she brought on her famous dad to perform with her at her debut gig - but can you guess who her star parent is? 5 5 5 5 The nepo baby in question is Jami Belushi, 25, who is the daughter of actor Jim Belushi, 71. The Hollywood star's daughter is now carving a career for herself as a singer. She recently took to the stage at the Windy City Smokeout in Chicago. The singer and songwriter made her performance debut to a crowd of 25,000 people, singing some of her original songs. The rising star then thrilled revellers when her famous dad, who is best known for According Jim, joined her on stage. Jami's dad is the younger brother of the original Saturday Night Live cast member, and Blues Brothers star, the late John Belushi, who passed away in 1982. To pay tribute to her uncle, Jami and Jim welcomed his Blues Brothers co-star Dan Aykroyd onto the stage as well. The trio then went on to do a special performance, much to the delight if festival-goers. Posting the moment on Instagram, Jami wrote: "My 1st round of 📸 from WINDY CITY SMOKE OUT. Not over it." Nepo baby lands same big money modelling job as her Hollywood star mum - Instagram omega Jim and Dan teamed up again later in the day. The comedians joined country music group Old Dominion on stage and even dressed up as the Blues Brothers. The pair then recreated the Everybody Needs Somebody to Love scene from the 1980s comedy, which featured Dan and Jim's late brother John. Jami's dad Jim followed in his famous older brother John's footsteps by starring in and writing for Saturday Night Live from 1983 to 1985. He then appeared in a titular series of his own, According to Jim, from 2001 to 2009 on ABC. On the big screen, the actor has appeared in many big films including The Man With One Red Shoe, Little Shop of Horrors, Jumpin Jack Flash, Gang Related, and many more. Jim welcomed Jami with his third wife Jennifer Sloan. The former couple - who also have a son - divorced in 2021.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Channel 5 launches new challenge show inspired by iconic Eddie Murphy film
The new show has a retro feel to it 'for more than one reason' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EDDIE MURPHY's Eighties movie Trading Places is the inspiration for a new TV project. The Channel 5 show has the same name and will see two people with very different lifestyles have to walk in one another's shoes. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Eddie Murphy alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd in Trading Places Credit: Alamy So you might end up watching a banker try his hand at farming, or a violinist become a lorry driver, or a ballerina ditch their tights in favour of working on an oil rig. It is based on the story at the heart of comedy Trading Places, which sees Eddie's down-and-out character Billy Ray Valentine trade positions with upper-class stock broker Louis Winthorpe, played by Dan Aykroyd. Meanwhile, snobbish Louis becomes a street hustler and pals with local hooker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. A TV insider said: 'While this has strong echoes of the 1983 movie, it has a retro feel to it for more than one reason. "The new project definitely has a whiff of Channel 4's Wife Swap or Faking It, which were hugely successful in the Nineties and Noughties. 'Though this does take things to higher level, as there is an implied amount of competition given that it's two people trying to excel in the other's field of expertise.' But the experience goes much further than their nine-to-five job. The participants will live in one another's houses, take over their hobbies, and even socialise with their friends and families. They will even have to follow the other's sleep routines — and neither has the faintest idea what the other does for a living before they start filming the show. DAMIAN'S GALAXY OF STARS ACTING royalty DamiaN Lewis brought together a galaxy of stars for the launch of Lightroom's Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. I was on Wife Swap - what the other woman said when she went through my fridge left me reeling The attraction, in King's Cross London, is a new immersive experience that takes visitors back to prehistoric times, 66 million years ago. 3 Damian Lewis with celeb pal Billie Piper Credit: Getty 3 GMB host Kate Garraway was one of a string of Damian's famous pals to attend Credit: Getty Damian, who played Henry VIII in the BBC's Wolf Hall dramas, lends his dulcet tones to proceedings as the narrator. But at the official launch he was also playing host to a string of famous pals including Billie Piper and GMB host Kate Garraway. Other big names attending included Kay Burley, Anita Rani, Charlotte Ritchie and Matt Johnson. The prehistoric world was brought vividly to life through Lightroom's cutting-edge 360-degree projection technology – and all to the sound of a score by Hanz Zimmer. LIAM'S GIFT TO SINGERS NICOLE SCHERZINGER has told how co-star Liam Payne would put in extra hours behind the scenes of Building The Band to help the wannabes. The late singer is also a judge and mentor on the Netflix talent show that launched yesterday. It was filmed prior to his shock death last October. Nicole, who was a guest judge on The X Factor in 2010 when Liam found fame with One Direction, said of his time on Building The Band: 'He was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show, and then having the global success that he has had, and then to be able to give back and to mentor bands. 'He put in the extra hours to work with these bands even off screen. 'He was giving back and that's one of his gifts.' AMY SET FOR LAST LAUGH THE first comedian primed to join a new star-studded cast of Jimmy Carr's Last One Laughing is Amy Gledhill She has been snapped up by Prime Video for the second series of the hit comedy show, which drops next year. Jimmy is back to host the show challenging ten of the UK's funniest people enter a room for a six-hour battle of wills - where the last one to laugh is crowned the winner. Amy will follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper and Joe Lycett who featured in the first outing. An insider told The Sun: 'Amy is not massively known as yet, but she's a rising star who has already achieved acclaimed success at the UK National Comedy Awards and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'Last One Laughing is the perfect opportunity to show off her talent - and help catapult her onto the worldwide stage.' ROSE'S THRILLER GROWS ITV has commissioned a second series of thriller Code of Silence which stars Rose Ayling-Ellie. The first, six part series was widely acclaimed when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX in May and June and the first episode consolidated with 7.5m viewers In particularly, people tuning in were impressed by it putting a deaf character, Alison, at the heart of the action. Former EastEnders and Strictly winner Rose, who plays the key role, said: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' A NEW trailer has dropped for series two of Netflix hit Wednesday, and it suggests Jenna Ortega's eponymous lead is in grave danger. During one of her psychic visions, she learns her best friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) will die and it is her fault. It lands on August 6. NETFLIX's longest-running unscripted series Queer Eye has been canned. The lifestyle show followed the Fab Five – experts in fashion, design, relationships, grooming and interiors – as they made over willing its 2018 debut more than 90 episodes have been aired.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Channel 5 launches new challenge show inspired by iconic Eddie Murphy film
EDDIE MURPHY's Eighties movie Trading Places is the inspiration for a new TV project. The Channel 5 show has the same name and will see two people with very different lifestyles have to walk in one another's shoes. 3 So you might end up watching a banker try his hand at farming, or a violinist become a lorry driver, or a ballerina ditch their tights in favour of working on an oil rig. It is based on the story at the heart of comedy Trading Places, which sees Eddie's down-and-out character Billy Ray Valentine trade positions with upper-class stock broker Louis Winthorpe, played by Dan Aykroyd. Meanwhile, snobbish Louis becomes a street hustler and pals with local hooker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. A TV insider said: 'While this has strong echoes of the 1983 movie, it has a retro feel to it for more than one reason. "The new project definitely has a whiff of Channel 4's Wife Swap or Faking It, which were hugely successful in the Nineties and Noughties. 'Though this does take things to higher level, as there is an implied amount of competition given that it's two people trying to excel in the other's field of expertise.' But the experience goes much further than their nine-to-five job. The participants will live in one another's houses, take over their hobbies, and even socialise with their friends and families. They will even have to follow the other's sleep routines — and neither has the faintest idea what the other does for a living before they start filming the show. DAMIAN'S GALAXY OF STARS ACTING royalty DamiaN Lewis brought together a galaxy of stars for the launch of Lightroom's Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. I was on Wife Swap - what the other woman said when she went through my fridge left me reeling The attraction, in King's Cross London, is a new immersive experience that takes visitors back to prehistoric times, 66 million years ago. 3 3 Damian, who played Henry VIII in the BBC's Wolf Hall dramas, lends his dulcet tones to proceedings as the narrator. But at the official launch he was also playing host to a string of famous pals including Billie Piper and GMB host Kate Garraway. Other big names attending included Kay Burley, Anita Rani, Charlotte Ritchie and Matt Johnson. The prehistoric world was brought vividly to life through Lightroom's cutting-edge 360-degree projection technology – and all to the sound of a score by Hanz Zimmer. LIAM'S GIFT TO SINGERS NICOLE SCHERZINGER has told how co-star Liam Payne would put in extra hours behind the scenes of Building The Band to help the wannabes. The late singer is also a judge and mentor on the Netflix talent show that launched yesterday. It was filmed prior to his shock death last October. Nicole, who was a guest judge on The X Factor in 2010 when Liam found fame with One Direction, said of his time on Building The Band: 'He was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show, and then having the global success that he has had, and then to be able to give back and to mentor bands. 'He put in the extra hours to work with these bands even off screen. 'He was giving back and that's one of his gifts.' AMY SET FOR LAST LAUGH THE first comedian primed to join a new star-studded cast of Jimmy Carr 's Last One Laughing is Amy Gledhill She has been snapped up by Prime Video for the second series of the hit comedy show, which drops next year. Jimmy is back to host the show challenging ten of the UK's funniest people enter a room for a six-hour battle of wills - where the last one to laugh is crowned the winner. Amy will follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper and Joe Lycett who featured in the first outing. An insider told The Sun: 'Amy is not massively known as yet, but she's a rising star who has already achieved acclaimed success at the UK National Comedy Awards and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'Last One Laughing is the perfect opportunity to show off her talent - and help catapult her onto the worldwide stage.' ROSE'S THRILLER GROWS ITV has commissioned a second series of thriller Code of Silence which stars Rose Ayling-Ellie. The first, six part series was widely acclaimed when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX in May and June and the first episode consolidated with 7.5m viewers In particularly, people tuning in were impressed by it putting a deaf character, Alison, at the heart of the action. Former EastEnders and Strictly winner Rose, who plays the key role, said: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' A NEW trailer has dropped for series two of Netflix hit Wednesday, and it suggests Jenna Ortega 's eponymous lead is in grave danger. During one of her psychic visions, she learns her best friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) will die and it is her fault. It lands on August 6. NETFLIX's longest-running unscripted series Queer Eye has been canned.
