Latest news with #Dratch
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Lexington smells fantastic!' SNL alum Rachel Dratch kicks off Lexington's 250th celebration with humor, hometown pride.
Next came Dratch, blending humor with nostalgia. She quipped about one of Lexington's lesser-known charms—'Lexington smells fantastic!'—and, with true Lexingtonian fervor, reminded the crowd where the shot heard 'round the world was really fired: 'Right here in Lexington! Lexington!' Advertisement More importantly, Dratch spoke warmly about the tight-knit town's spirit and commitment to service. 'I come back here a lot. Lexington is just so near and dear to my heart,' she said to the crowd, some of whom wore tricorn hats. '...And the people that make Lexington so special, that's what tonight is about.' Four awards were presented during the ceremony. High school seniors Isabelle Barbesino and Siya Setty received the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award. Community elder Fred Johnson was honored with the Minuteman Cane Award. And for the final award, Dratch pulled a name from a white envelope, like an Oscar presenter, announcing Sue Rockwell—a retired attorney and longtime member of the town's historical society—as the recipient of the White Tricorne Hat Award, given each year by the town's Lion's Club. Advertisement 'It was great to see people getting these awards and to feel how connected everyone is, because that's how it felt growing up here,' Dratch said in an interview after the ceremony. Dratch's family moved to Lexington when she was five, and she downplayed any deep revolutionary ties—'my connection to town is more like, you know, fun childhood memories,' she said, laughing. Still, her reflections captured the community and volunteerism that shaped those memories. She recalled how her parents were familiar faces around town and how she's stayed close with childhood friends. 'You know, you hear people say, 'I couldn't wait to get out of my town!' or whatever,' she said. 'But in places like Lexington, these places in Massachusetts... a lot of people stay.' While the ceremony honored the town's Revolutionary roots, it ultimately highlighted values that persist today: civic engagement, service, and a strong sense of community. Officials announced VO250 - an effort to have town residents volunteer for 250,000 hours of community service -- over the next 12 months. Mona Roy, vice chair of the Lex250 Commission, put it: 'We're the birthplace of America, the start of the American Revolution. But it's also true that we make history every day. I always say, let it continue here.' While Dratch playfully waived off the town's Revolutionary fervor with a laugh, she still remembers being moved by it as a kid. She called the bicentennial reenactment 'amazing to see.' 'It's oddly moving,' she said. 'Not to sound cliche, but it really does make history come alive.' Advertisement Rita Chandler can be reached at
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Rachel Dratch To Headline Uniworld's First Women-Only Cruise
Rachel Dratch is largely known for her Saturday Night Live character, 'Debbie Downer,' but the actress and comedian will soon be taking the stage in front of a new audience — cruisers. Dratch will become the headline performer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' first-ever Women-Only Cruise through the heart of France this summer. Guests will enjoy an exclusive comedy set and a special Q&A session with Dratch during the cruise, which sets sail on August 24, 2025. It will incorporate Uniworld's Burgundy & Provence itinerary, an eight-day trip onboard the S.S. Catherine with stops in Arles, Viviers, Avignon and Lyon. 'We are beyond excited to welcome the incredibly talented and hilarious Rachel Dratch aboard our special Women-Only Cruise,' stated Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld. 'Rachel is the perfect fit for what promises to be an unforgettable trip, and I'm looking forward to being onboard to host her and all of our guests on this sailing.' In an interview with Forbes, Dratch explained that she heard about the Women-Only Cruise through a call from her agent. She added that this cruise sounded like the kind of trip she would take with some friends, if she was organized enough to plan it! 'I love it when a work situation takes me somewhere great. It has happened a few times in the past, and I try to say yes when these rare opportunities come up in life.' In terms of going on a cruise, Dratch confessed that she has never taken one before. 'I think it sounds fun to ease into cruising on a smaller boat, and on a river no less,' she said. 'Honestly, my view of cruising probably comes from watching The Love Boat when I was a kid.' Dratch once she lived with a family in France for a semester during college; while there, she saw a lot of the country. However, she's never been to the area where this Uniworld cruise is going but plans to do a few excursions. 'I do love to travel. I like a girls' trip, and now that I have a child, I have taken him on a few special trips, too,' said Dratch. 'I'm not someone who is very particular on 'must haves' – like 'oh I need my lavender spray and my favorite pillow.' Honestly, I'm lucky if I get there and find out I didn't pack all shirts and only one pair of pants. I'm the type to throw a bunch of stuff in a bag and hope I have something to wear when I arrive.' A veteran of Chicago's Second City, Dratch was an SNL cast member from 1999 to 2006. Her IMDB profile includes King of Queens, 30 Rock, Shameless, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Just Go with It and Wine Country. Dratch is also the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Girl Walks into a Bar. She has lent her voice to animated series such as Bob's Burgers and will next be heard in the upcoming Fox series, Grimsburg. Dratch made her Broadway debut in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. She received a Tony nomination for her performance. Dratch is now working on a writing project with fellow ex-SNL cast member Ana Gasteyer. 'We wrote a parody of a Hallmark Christmas movie that came out a couple of years ago and we are keeping that Christmas train going,' said Dratch. 'I also have a podcast currently running called 'Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch,' where I have my funny friends on to talk about 'woo woo' stuff like ghosts and psychics, that kind of thing!' For Dratch, this Uniworld's Women-Only Cruise is sure to be a source for new material.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robert De Niro Strangles Rachel Dratch's Debbie Downer at ‘SNL50': ‘You're Going to Shut It'
Robert De Niro and Rachel Dratch faced off on 'SNL50,' with the Oscar winner confronting the former cast member in her Debbie Downer character, playing a bartender, during a sketch in the home stretch of the anniversary special. 'At this point, we're all walking landfills,' Dratch said, in a reference to microplastics. 'Odds are they've already taken up residence in your testes.' More from Variety Tom Hanks and 'SNL50' Highlight the Show's Problematic Past, From Ethnic Stereotypes to Sexual Harassment Jokes and Adrien Brody's Dreadlocks Mike Myers Revives 'Coffee Talk' Host Linda Richman With Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph at 'SNL50': 'It's Sweata Weatha' John Mulaney's Star-Studded 'SNL50' Musical Sketch Includes Hot Dog Adam Driver, Kate McKinnon's Giuliani and Scarlett Johansson Joking About Colin Jost 'Deborah, I'm going to talk now, and you're going to shut it,' De Niro, as a bar customer, responded. 'I do not appreciate this conversation. I don't want to talk about plastic in my balls. … I came here tonight to get a little frigging break from our world right now, which is like living in a full diaper.' 'Diapers are a leading culprit in the microplastic saga,' Dratch fired back, prompting De Niro to playfully strangle her. De Niro was a walk-on for the sketch, which began with Downer tending bar for visiting celebrities Drew Barrymore and Ayo Edebiri. Jimmy Fallon also appeared, breaking up De Niro's beef at the end of the sketch. 'Bobby, Bobby, stop! It's not worth it! She thinksshe is helping, okay?' Fallon said. 'My kids taught me to see the best in people.' 'Speaking of kids, it's official: I can't have children,' Dratch's Downer exclaims. Watch the anniversary skit below: Debbie Downer first debuted in the 2004 episode of 'SNL' hosted by Lindsay Lohan. The original sketch saw Lohan and cast members get their DisneyWorld vacation ruined by Downer. The integrity of the bit was also ruined too, as everybody onscreen helplessly broke character and collapsed into laughs at some point during the taping. Since that indelible first impression, Dratch has returned to 'SNL' as Downer several times. Watch the original sketch below. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
