Latest news with #Season50
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Saturday Night Live' Cast and Crew Describe the ‘Weird Dance' It Takes to Make Each Show Happen
As much excellence as we see onscreen on 'Saturday Night Live,' which just wrapped its historic 50th season, some of the best stories from the cast and crew, that illuminate how much work goes into making the weekly late night staple, are about the sketches or parts of sketches that got cut. Take the viral 'Maybelline' sketch for example, with a trio of performers including host Ariana Grande doing their best Jennifer Coolidge impression. During a USG University Panel featuring Hair Department Head Jodi Mancuso, Makeup Department Head Louie Zakarian, and cast member Chloe Fineman (who is in the sketch,) 'Saturday Night Live' director Liz Patrick revealed that there was supposed to be a fourth Jennifer Coolidge in the scene. 'Sarah [Sherman] was in there also,' she said, describing the first draft of 'Maybelline' she'd read. 'I was like, 'Oh my god. How are we gonna do four people?' But I was open and ready for the challenge.' More from IndieWire 'Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist' Features a Set of Sideburns That 'Saved the Day' Amy Poehler Admits 'I Misappropriated' with Certain 'SNL' Sketches: 'We All Played People' We Shouldn't Have The panelists all agree: Being 'open and ready for the challenge' is the kind of ethos always needed to get the job done for 'SNL,' even if they don't know exactly how yet at a particular moment. 'It's just flying by the seat of your [pants],' said Fineman. 'I was remembering last year I did JoJo Siwa on 'Weekend Update,' and that was so much crazy makeup that we created, and then had an immediate, quick change. So you're putting it on, and then you're fully washing your face, and then fully putting the new thing on. And then we did the same thing … You can't even think about it. You're just going, and it is like this weird dance that we all just do because everyone's so expert and truly at the top of their game. It's beautiful.' Building off of that example that Fineman laid out, makeup designer Zakarian explains, 'We can't use makeups that are going to stay on and take too long to take off. So everything has to be planned out for 'Ok, we need to be able to do it as fast as [it] possibly can be done, because we never know what's going to happen from dress to air.' He adds, 'You find out that, 'Oh, I had 10 minutes here, now I've only got five minutes to do that same thing that took us 10 minutes to get into' is a big, big challenge.' For hair and wig designer Mancuso, a memorable battle that she had against the clock working on Season 50 was when she got a call at 1:00am the day before the show that Mikey Day's character in the cold open had been replaced by Devon Walker playing country star Shaboozey, meaning they were now in need of an intricate wig to match the 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer's unique dread pattern. 'I was like, 'Oh my god, man, this beautiful man's big dreads. How am I doing this?' And for the first time, I said to one of our writers, Bryan Tucker, 'I don't know if I can do this,'' she said. 'And he came to my room and he was like, 'Do I have to cut this?' And who wants to be that person? 'The wig department can't figure it out.' And we pulled it off, and it was so beautiful. And of course, it got cut, but we made it happen!' To hear Fineman, Patrick, Mancuso, and Zakarian talk more about the craft that went into making 'Saturday Night Live' Season 50, watch IndieWire's full interview with them above. 'Saturday Night Live' Season 50 is now streaming on partnered with Universal Studio Group for USG University, a series of virtual panels celebrating the best in television art from the 2024-2025 season across NBC Universal's portfolio of shows. USG University (a Universal Studio Group program) is presented in partnership with Roybal Film & TV Magnet and IndieWire's . Catch up on the Best of IndieWire 2023 Emmy Predictions: Who Will Win at the Primetime Emmy Awards? 2023 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special 2023 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Dana Carvey says he was ‘delicate' with Joe Biden ‘SNL' impression because ex-prez was ‘compromised mentally'
Dana Carvey had a tricky task impersonating Joe Biden on 'Saturday Night Live.' During a recent episode of his 'Fly on the Wall' podcast, the 70-year-old comedian explained why he took a 'delicate' approach to playing the former president, 82, on the sketch comedy show's 50th season. 'I knew that he was compromised mentally. I mean, it was obvious,' Carvey said. 'But it was a delicate thing in the comedy world.' Advertisement 7 Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, Andy Samberg as Douglas Emhoff, and Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris on 'SNL' in Nov. 2024. Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images Carvey continued, 'There were a lot of people who did not want to do anything that would kind of ding him in an awkward way.' 'But it's comedy!' guest Julie Bowen pointed out, a notion that Carvey agreed with. Advertisement 7 Dana Carvey performs during Moontower Just For Laughs at the Long Center in Austin, Texas in April 2022. Getty Images 7 Joe Biden speaks at the White House in July 2024. Getty Images 'That's the key, if I can do Biden, if I can make Biden funny to everybody, then I am where I want to be,' he explained. 'And to make it funny, it had to be recognizable. And so there were certain things I did not include in my package.' The comedian also described his experience spoofing Biden as 'surreal,' 'bizarre' and 'at times a lot of fun.' Advertisement 7 David Spade and Dana Carvey on their 'Fly on the Wall' podcast. Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade/Youtube Carvey's co-host and fellow 'SNL' alum David Spade noted that Biden's role in the government made him 'fair game' to be mocked on the show. 'I think it's easier to make fun of him if he's the president than if it's just a 90-whatever-year-old man and just go, 'Look at this a–hole,'' said Spade, 60. 'So once he's president, he's more fair game. But no one made fun of him forever.' 7 Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the Fourth of July in 2024. AP Advertisement Carvey made his 'SNL' debut as Biden during the Season 50 premiere in September. The episode also featured Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Andy Samberg as Harris' husband Douglas Emhoff, Jim Gaffigan as Harris' running mate Tim Walz, Austin Johnson as Donald Trump and Bowen Yang as Trump's VP JD Vance. 7 James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, and Alec Baldwin as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on 'Saturday Night Live' in Nov. 2024. Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images The comedian previously revealed on 'Fly on the Wall' that 'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels asked him to play Biden after Carvey started doing impersonations of the politician on his podcast. 7 Dana Carvey attends Chris Rock's comedy show in West Hollywood in March 2023. Getty Images for Netflix 'I didn't see it out there enough, a Biden impression,' Carvey said. 'A lot of brilliant Trumps, Shane [Gillis], James Austin Johnson. Biden is trickier.' Over the years, Biden has also been spoofed by Jason Sudeikis, Woody Harrelson, Jim Carrey and Mikey Day on 'SNL.'
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Saturday Night Live new tonight, June 14, 2025? here's what to know
Saturday Night Live will not air a new episode on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Instead, NBC is re-airing a previous episode from Season 50 hosted by Jack Black, featuring musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile. Season 51 of Saturday Night Live is expected to return in fall 2025 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads NBC will not air a new episode of Saturday Night Live on June 14, 2025. The network's schedule confirms that the show will broadcast a rerun from Season 50, originally featuring Jack Black as host and Elton John and Brandi Carlile as musical show concluded its 50th season approximately one month ago, capping off a milestone year marked by a mix of returning cast members, high-profile guest stars, and a commemorative 50th anniversary celebration. While no new content is scheduled for this weekend, NBC continues to highlight notable episodes from the past season in its summer read: Kenan Thompson impersonates Kanye West in SNL, leads to colorful reactions As of mid-June 2025, an official premiere date for Saturday Night Live Season 51 has not been announced. However, based on the program's traditional broadcast cycle, new episodes are expected to begin in fall updates for the new season have not yet been confirmed. Reports indicate that cast member Mikey Day will remain with the show. There have been no announcements regarding cast departures or new additions to the looking to catch up on recent sketches or highlights can find clips and full episodes from Season 50 on NBC's digital platforms and affiliated streaming services. The network has not indicated any changes to the show's format or schedule for the upcoming season.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson Joins Husband Colin Jost on SNL for Sweet Revenge
Scarlett Johansson recently joined her husband Colin Jost in taking sweet revenge on the comedian's 'Saturday Night Live' co-host, Michael Che. The revenge comes after the latter made Jost share some 'tasteless jokes' about the 'Lucy' actor. During a new episode of SNL, in the 'Weekend Update' segment, both comedians started swapping each other's jokes per tradition. In the middle of the segment, Che welcomed Johansson on the show after apologizing to her for the 'Costco roast beef' joke last December. Scarlett Johansson and her husband, Colin Jost, recently brought in their revenge game while on a new episode of Saturday Night Live Season 50. The couple got their revenge on comedians and the show's co-host, Michael Che, for his December jokes on the 'Black Widow' actor which Jost had to read as a joke swapping tradition in the show. During the recent episode of SNL50 in the 'Weekend Update' segment, Michael Che said, 'Before I tell another joke, I wanna take this opportunity to apologize to someone I hurt.' After that, the comedian introduced Scarlett Johansson to the audience and welcomed her on stage for the rest of the segment. The comedian then continued, 'Last time we did joke swaps, I made Colin do some tasteless jokes, comparing your vagina to Costco roast beef.' The 'Lost in Translation' actor responded with, 'Yes, I remember that.' After that, Michael Che went on to read jokes written by his co-host and Johansson's husband, Colin Jost. It was a sweet revenge on Jost and Johansson's part, Che read, 'I was just lashing out because I'm jealous.' He continued, 'I've never seen a human vagina. Notice I said human, because I once spent a summer on a farm.' However, at the end of the segment, Johansson is seen giving a hug to Che, indicating that she had forgiven the comedian. The post Scarlett Johansson Joins Husband Colin Jost on SNL for Sweet Revenge appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘SNL' Cast Unpacks Season 50 Including Miss Eggy, Chloe Fineman's Big Dumb Line, Straight Bowen Yang & Sarah Sherman Nearly Getting 'Jacked'
While Saturday Night Live celebrated its 50th anniversary this season – with a star-studded special that featured many of the 167 iconic cast members that have appeared on the show – there was another change that helped it 'get back to its roots'. Since Season 45, the season interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, cast, writers and crew have performed the read-through in studio 8H on the show floor, but this season they were able to get back to the 17th floor where it has historically always taken place. More from Deadline Who's Leaving 'SNL'? Rumor Mill Heats Up As Season 50 Heads To A Close 'Saturday Night Live' Wraps Season 50 With No Cast Goodbyes In Finale As NBC Series Prepares For Departures 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Bowen Yang, who joined the show as a writer in Season 44 before being promoted to a cast member for Season 45, said returning to the 17th floor was a 'huge deal'. 'From the first season to the 45th, read through is on the 17th floor, and then, because of Covid, because we just had to work with spatial limitations, and wanted a bigger space so we used the studio [8H] floor and we all got used to it. Four years in, it rearranged our spatial awareness as the week progresses. There's something about being back on the 17th floor where the wins feel bigger and the bombs don't feel quite as devastating, which was good for morale. It felt like this return home, in terms of the spirit of the show and where we all got to get back to the show's roots in some ways even though we're like a new, scrappy cast,' he said. The cast returned to the 17th floor after the 50th anniversary special on February 16. Ego Nwodim agreed with Yang that it felt like a 'return home'. Yang and Nwodim were speaking alongside their castmates Heidi Gardner, Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson and Chloe Fineman at an FYC event in LA. During the event, which was moderated by former cast member Fred Armisen, the group broke down Season 50 including the most controversial and fun sketches. For the record, the topic of who is staying on the show for Season 51 didn't come up at all. In terms of the 50th, Nwodim said having all of the alumni in the building was a 'surreal experience'. 'At one point, there was an event honoring Lorne [Michaels] between the concert on February 14 and the special and Heidi said to me 'I thought there were 500 people in this cast and I'm realizing there's only a hundred-and-something of us ever to be in the cast'. What a special honor to get to be part of that club or family. The 50th felt really nostalgic and beautiful,' she said. Sherman added that the 50th 'felt like a little present for us sometimes too'. 'We work really hard and it can get really crazy sometimes and it was like 'Yo, what's up, it's Paul McCartney',' she added. There was so much focus on the 50th anniversary, that it's tough to remember that Season 50 kicked off at the end of September with Jean Smart hosting and headed straight into a major Presidential election. In fact, the cold open of the first episode featured some notable former SNL stars; Maya Rudolph returned as Kamala Harris, Andy Samberg played her husband Doug Emhoff, Dana Carvey played President Joe Biden and Jim Gaffigan played Tim Walz. In later episodes, Mike Myers returned to play Elon Musk, after Carvey had portrayed him immediately after the election. James Austin Johnson, who plays President Donald Trump on the show, said those cold opens were 'pretty crazy'. 'I've done a few of those before, but the added pressure of the 50th and the added pressure of my comedy idols being up there with us on some of those sketches… it was just Bowen and I looking at each other, like, 'look at us with these all stars'. It made me want to raise my game and match their level. That was what the whole season was about. For me, I want to find the path to be as good as these people I've looked up to and here they are sharing the stage,' he added. Johnson joined the show in Season 47. He said this season was the first where he took out the three new cast members – Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline – for lunch to give them a 'rundown'. 'This was the first year I cared about another living soul,' he joked. 'I came to SNL with my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and I was so wrapped up in our internal drama. This season was the first one where I [thought] I can do this. I know this, and I want to share that data with these new guys. And they're all geniuses. They're all so ready. I was blown away by all three of them. They're such naturals.' Johnson also played Bob Dylan, which may have had a 'little bit to do with Timothée Chalamet making a movie about him', joking that it 'shouldn't have been on TV'. 'My specific Bob Dylan is like 2006 Sirius XM Theme Time Radio Bob Dylan. Already we are getting way too record store employee granular about what era of Dylan to even be making fun of,' he said. One of Chloe Fineman's breakout sketches this season was Big Dumb Line, which featured her, Yang, Sherman and host Mikey Madison, waiting for something viral, which could be food or toothpaste. Written by Fineman, Alison Gates and Kent Sublette and directed by Tim Wilkime, the sketch also featured Joe Jonas. 'Sometimes you'll have 15 ideas on a Monday or Tuesday and they never go anywhere but it was one of those Tuesdays where everything was a no and I pulled up an old Notes app of ideas I've had. Forever 31 was one I'd had for a really long time and the other was Big Dumb Line. They were things I never thought anyone would want to do but Alison and Kent, our head writers [thought] they were great and they both came about. They are kind of critiques on people or things I don't like about myself. But the line thing is an epidemic in the West Village. It's also in Los Feliz, it's Silver Lake, it's in Echo Park, it's in London,' she said. Nwodim's breakout sketch of the season was Miss Eggy, where the eponymous stand-up pitches herself to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The sketch, which aired on April 5 and was written by Josh Patten, Asha Ward, Carl Tart, and Will Stephen, caused a little bit of controversy after Nwodim turned the microphone to the crowd and they responded, albeit the second time they cursed. 'We're gonna get fired for that,' Nwodim's Miss Eggy replied. 'Y'all gonna have to pay for that. Lorne's gonna be mad at y'all.' Nwodim said that the sketch, which was part of Weekend Update, saw her have to do live choreography to avoid blocking Colin Jost or Michael Che. 'That was kind of a fun challenge for me,' she said. She joked that it would have been 'easier' and more 'comfortable' if she'd been doing it from behind the desk, but you'd lose something if she wasn't pacing. 'The audience never says anything on SNL. We didn't expect them to say anything. They're just supposed to laugh or not laugh, but we didn't expect them to say anything. But I think because I was in front of the desk and I was pacing, and I was doing something perhaps they hadn't seen before, they're like, 'Oh, we're in this, we're all having a time together. We were doing a dance together, and then they did a move I didn't expect,' she said. 'They really threw me for a loop. But it was so exciting, because I love improv, and so getting to play with them was so fun.' Armisen praised Heidi Gardner's physical comedy on the show. 'A couple years ago, I fell through a desk, and it was really fun, and I thought I want to do that more,' Gardner said. 'Whether it's falling through a wall or just pushing my body physically, it's been fun. I'll think I know a character but it's really cool to be out there and feeding off of what the audience is responding to. What monster am I making?' She added that sometimes people know those monsters. 'I had someone write to me and they're like 'I had a really complicated relationship with [their] mother and that character really made me miss her and I really didn't like her'. Great.' The character? Mom visiting New York. Yang said there's an 'interiority' to Gardner's characters, especially on Weekend Update. 'You see the glances sort of skew a certain way and it just, it telegraphs it for the audience in a way that is this guiding hand. It's like, here's where I'm going, come with me, and it's going to be a safe, fun place for you,' he said. Sherman said that it's not always big, broad strokes, though. 'You'll have like a mini body roll, or like character has a twitch that is different from another character's twitch,' she added. Sherman has become one of the most recent breakout stars of the show, having joined in Season 47 with characters such as RFK Jr.'s brain worm, clad in a 'couture' worm outfit. But she revealed that she pitched one sketch this season that has yet to make it to air. 'I had a thing for the finale that we wrote on a Tuesday night till 5am, no problem, it's not like, I'm holding a grudge about it. I was f*cking jacked, so I had giant veiny jacked arms. Close your eyes, if you will. And in your minds' eye, imagine I have giant veiny pulsing, jacked arms, pecs, a giant chin, and I have just been a mocap actor for the Tyrannosaurus Rex in Jurassic Park. Cut before table read. Don't pity me. She will live again,' Sherman said. One of Yang's most popular sketches over the last couple of years is Bowen's Straight. He initially hooked up with Sydney Sweeney before reprising his heterosexual alter-ego in the Season 50 finale alongside Scarlett Johansson. Yang revealed that the sketch, which was written by Gary Richardson, Auguste White and Will Stephen, was originally Bowen's Bisexual before going 'full-tilt hetero'. 'I do like that people have stopped to point out to me [that I] still talk like a gay person. I'm presenting as an effeminate man in my dress and in my mannerisms, besides the little bro-isms, [but] when you follow him home and you see what his home life is, it's really devastating,' he joked. In the most recent sketch, Yang seems to sleep with Gina Gershon, Nwodim and Gardner before taking off to Tokyo with Emily Ratajkowski in his sports car with its Y4ng B4ng license plate. 'Who's idea was it to slap me on the ass?,' asked Nwodim. 'That was mine,' replied Yang. 'Bowen and I sit next to each other at table read, and he leans over and says 'I hope it's okay that I smack you on the ass in this',' she continued. 'I look like I was enjoying it, because I did.' The awards love-in belies the fact that there will likely be changes on show ahead of Season 51. But regardless, it's clear that this group are close. 'We all like each other, for real,' said Sherman. 'It's like we always say 'SNL, when you're here your family'. And I feel like these are my family members,' added Nwodim. Best of Deadline 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out? List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
