Werner Herzog has revealed he’s part of the voice cast of Bong Joon Ho’s forthcoming animated feature, according to Variety. The fully CGI animation is a deep-sea adventure, featuring creatures and humans, specifically following an invertebrate deep-sea fish who believes he’s suffering from spinal disk herniation. One can learn more here about the project.
Peter Greenaway has begun shooting his untitled new feature in Lucca, Italy, with Dustin Hoffman, Helen Hunt, and Sofia Boutella leading the story “of an intelligent man whose final big adventure is intended to be his death. He wants to make it elegant and sensible. Tidy, with as few loose ends as possible,” Deadline reports.
Following up Last Night in Soho, Edgar Wright has set his next feature with the long-in-development Paramount remake of The Running Man, with Glen Powell set to star, Deadline notes, reportedly beating out the likes of Ryan Gosling,...
Peter Greenaway has begun shooting his untitled new feature in Lucca, Italy, with Dustin Hoffman, Helen Hunt, and Sofia Boutella leading the story “of an intelligent man whose final big adventure is intended to be his death. He wants to make it elegant and sensible. Tidy, with as few loose ends as possible,” Deadline reports.
Following up Last Night in Soho, Edgar Wright has set his next feature with the long-in-development Paramount remake of The Running Man, with Glen Powell set to star, Deadline notes, reportedly beating out the likes of Ryan Gosling,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Paul Walter Hauser will play comedian Chris Farley in a so-far untitled biopic. Here’s what we know at present:
A biopic based on the biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography In Three Acts by the late comedian’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colb is in the works.
With full endorsement from Farley’s family, Richard Jewell star Paul Walter Hauser will play him in the film. It will be the directorial debut of Frozen star Josh Gad, with Scott Neustadter and Michael H Weber writing the screenplay according to Deadline. They previously adapted the surreal true story of Tommy Wiseau’s experience making cult film The Room into 2017 film The Disaster Artist.
A feature film examining the origins of Saturday Night Live is also in production. Jason Reitman is directIng SNL 1975 from a script he wrote with Gil Keenan. It will star Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels,...
A biopic based on the biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography In Three Acts by the late comedian’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colb is in the works.
With full endorsement from Farley’s family, Richard Jewell star Paul Walter Hauser will play him in the film. It will be the directorial debut of Frozen star Josh Gad, with Scott Neustadter and Michael H Weber writing the screenplay according to Deadline. They previously adapted the surreal true story of Tommy Wiseau’s experience making cult film The Room into 2017 film The Disaster Artist.
A feature film examining the origins of Saturday Night Live is also in production. Jason Reitman is directIng SNL 1975 from a script he wrote with Gil Keenan. It will star Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Though the tide of late has turned more towards a Bohemian Rhapsody-powered focus on biopics of musicians, there is always room for other entertainers with particularly compelling stories. One such example is Saturday Night Live staple-turned-film comedy actor Chris Farley, whose star burned bright before it was snuffed out decades too early by excess and addiction. Paul Walter Hauser is now attached to star as Farley in the film to be directed by actor/producer and now filmmaker Josh Gad.
Farley, who initially had seemed destined to join his father in the oil business, was lured away by the thrill of performing, eventually ending up at Chicago's Second City improv troupe (which he joined the same day as fellow future comedy icon Stephen Colbert) and from there was recruited by Lorne Michaels for SNL.
A successful run on the show translated, as it often does, to film roles, and...
Farley, who initially had seemed destined to join his father in the oil business, was lured away by the thrill of performing, eventually ending up at Chicago's Second City improv troupe (which he joined the same day as fellow future comedy icon Stephen Colbert) and from there was recruited by Lorne Michaels for SNL.
A successful run on the show translated, as it often does, to film roles, and...
- 4/14/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
When we talk about lost films, most people immediately think of silent movies, cinema on nitrate that either went up in flames or was in the hands of studios who didn't see the value in preserving it. Although we've come a long way in terms of film preservation since then, there are still plenty of films from the second half of the 20th century that may not be technically "lost," but are nearly impossible to track down and actually watch. They may have been put out on comparatively low-quality VHS back in the day, but not a peep since then -- these films never got a DVD or Blu-ray release, and aren't available on any of the streaming services.
If you're lucky, you might be able to find a grainy, unsanctioned VHS transfer on an unauthorized YouTube account, but even then, there's a lack of permanency, since they could be...
If you're lucky, you might be able to find a grainy, unsanctioned VHS transfer on an unauthorized YouTube account, but even then, there's a lack of permanency, since they could be...
- 4/14/2024
- by Audrey Fox
- Slash Film
Josh Gad is set to direct a Chris Farley biopic.The movie is set to feature Paul Walter Hauser as the tragic 'Saturday Night Live' star, who died of a drug overdose on December 18, 1997 at the age of just 33.'SNL's Lorne Michaels will produce the film, which will be based on the book 'The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts' by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby.Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will write the screenplay, based on the book. The role is a dream come true for Hauser, who revealed in 2021 that he had approached the Farley family about playing Chris in a movie.While that project never came to fruition, the new movie has the backing of the Farley family, according to The Hollywood Reporter.Paul previously told THR: "I wanted to do a Chris Farley movie where he’s in rehab for half of the film,...
- 4/13/2024
- by Colette Fahy 2
- Bang Showbiz
A movie based on the life of the late Chris Farley is in the works!
On Friday (April 12), it was reported that a biopic about the legendary comedian and Saturday Night Live star is being directed by Josh Gad with Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser attached to star. The movie would mark Josh‘s directorial debut.
Keep reading to find out more…Entertainment Weekly reports that SNL boss Lorne Michaels will produce the project based on the New York Times bestselling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, which was written by Chris‘ brothers Tom Farley and Tanner Colby.
The biopic, which is said to have the Farley family’s blessing, is being written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber and is currently being shopped around.
Chris rose to fame as a key player on SNL, appearing on five seasons between 1990 and 1995. He sadly died of...
On Friday (April 12), it was reported that a biopic about the legendary comedian and Saturday Night Live star is being directed by Josh Gad with Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser attached to star. The movie would mark Josh‘s directorial debut.
Keep reading to find out more…Entertainment Weekly reports that SNL boss Lorne Michaels will produce the project based on the New York Times bestselling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, which was written by Chris‘ brothers Tom Farley and Tanner Colby.
The biopic, which is said to have the Farley family’s blessing, is being written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber and is currently being shopped around.
Chris rose to fame as a key player on SNL, appearing on five seasons between 1990 and 1995. He sadly died of...
- 4/12/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Saturday Night Live fans may soon have another reason to go to the movies, as a Chris Farley biopic is currently being shopped to studios by SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
It probably won’t take long for the project to find a home, as the biopic has already attracted an A-list team of players both in front of and behind the camera.
In addition to Michaels, Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as Farley. It’s truly a dream role for the Black Bird and Cobra Kai actor; back in 2021, Hauser told THR about how he’d once approached the Farley family about collaborating on a film about the late comedian, but that it ultimately didn’t work out.
The untitled project already has the Farley family’s blessing, as it will be adapted from The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, the bestselling 2007 biography...
It probably won’t take long for the project to find a home, as the biopic has already attracted an A-list team of players both in front of and behind the camera.
In addition to Michaels, Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as Farley. It’s truly a dream role for the Black Bird and Cobra Kai actor; back in 2021, Hauser told THR about how he’d once approached the Farley family about collaborating on a film about the late comedian, but that it ultimately didn’t work out.
The untitled project already has the Farley family’s blessing, as it will be adapted from The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, the bestselling 2007 biography...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jennifer M. Wood
- LateNighter
Paul Walter Hauser will slip into the life and mind of late comedian Chris Farley in a forthcoming biopic. The film, set to be directed by Josh Gad, is currently in development. Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will provide the screenplay based on the book The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, published by Farley’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby in 2008.
The Chris Farley Show takes its name from a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live. Before his untimely death at the age of...
The Chris Farley Show takes its name from a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live. Before his untimely death at the age of...
- 4/12/2024
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
Musician Naomi McPherson is joining the star-packed cast of SNL 1975, Jason Reitman’s forthcoming film about the debut night of the long-running NBC sketch series Saturday Night Live.
McPherson, who uses they/them pronouns, will make their acting debut as singer-songwriter Janis Ian, a musical guest on the first episode of SNL that aired Oct. 11, 1975. Reitman is directing the Sony Pictures project that focuses on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to that initial broadcast. The cast includes Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as former NBC exec Dick Ebersol and Rachel Sennott as Michaels’ ex-wife and former SNL writer Rosie Shuster.
McPherson is a member of the Los Angeles-based band Muna and handles production duties for most of the group’s music. Muna has spent the past two years touring in support of the self-titled 2022 album that includes the single “Silk Chiffon” featuring Phoebe Bridgers. The band,...
McPherson, who uses they/them pronouns, will make their acting debut as singer-songwriter Janis Ian, a musical guest on the first episode of SNL that aired Oct. 11, 1975. Reitman is directing the Sony Pictures project that focuses on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to that initial broadcast. The cast includes Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as former NBC exec Dick Ebersol and Rachel Sennott as Michaels’ ex-wife and former SNL writer Rosie Shuster.
McPherson is a member of the Los Angeles-based band Muna and handles production duties for most of the group’s music. Muna has spent the past two years touring in support of the self-titled 2022 album that includes the single “Silk Chiffon” featuring Phoebe Bridgers. The band,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chris Farley is coming back to the big screen via a biopic about the late comedian’s life and career, our sister site Deadline reports.
Paul Walter Hauser, whose work on Apple TV+’s Blackbird earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, is set to play Farley in the movie, which is being directed by Josh Gad. Lorne Michaels, credited for discovering Farley and giving him his big break on Saturday Night Live, will produce through Broadway Video.
More from TVLineMovie About SNL's 1975 Premiere Casts Its Not Ready for Primetime Players - See PhotosCentral Park Is 'Done' After Three Seasons at Apple TV+,...
Paul Walter Hauser, whose work on Apple TV+’s Blackbird earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, is set to play Farley in the movie, which is being directed by Josh Gad. Lorne Michaels, credited for discovering Farley and giving him his big break on Saturday Night Live, will produce through Broadway Video.
More from TVLineMovie About SNL's 1975 Premiere Casts Its Not Ready for Primetime Players - See PhotosCentral Park Is 'Done' After Three Seasons at Apple TV+,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
A biopic on Chris Farley is in the works, with Paul Walter Hauser set to portray the comedy legend.
Directed by Josh Gad, the film will adapt the The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, which was written by Farley’s brother, Tom. Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will pen the film’s screenplay (via Deadline).
The project has the blessing of Farley’s family, and will be produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
Hauser recently won a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his performance in the Apple TV+ limited series Black Bird.
One of the most talented comedians of his generation, Farley earned universal acclaimed for his five-season run as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and subsequent roles in films like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. Unfortunately, Farley died of a drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33.
Farley’s life was previously documented in the 2015 documentary,...
Directed by Josh Gad, the film will adapt the The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, which was written by Farley’s brother, Tom. Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will pen the film’s screenplay (via Deadline).
The project has the blessing of Farley’s family, and will be produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
Hauser recently won a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his performance in the Apple TV+ limited series Black Bird.
One of the most talented comedians of his generation, Farley earned universal acclaimed for his five-season run as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and subsequent roles in films like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. Unfortunately, Farley died of a drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33.
Farley’s life was previously documented in the 2015 documentary,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
A biopic about the life of the late “Saturday Night Live” star Chris Farley is in the works, IndieWire has confirmed.
Emmy-winner Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as Farley, and Josh Gad would direct the project. “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels is producing the feature biopic via his Broadway Video production banner. Gad, the Broadway star and “Frozen” actor, would make his feature directorial debut on the film.
Right now the project is just at the package stage and being presented to interested buyers looking to make it, but it surely will be an in-demand package that could go quickly and make this movie a reality sooner rather than later. It also helps that the Farley family has given its blessing to the project.
The currently untitled film is based on “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography In Three Acts” written by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby that...
Emmy-winner Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as Farley, and Josh Gad would direct the project. “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels is producing the feature biopic via his Broadway Video production banner. Gad, the Broadway star and “Frozen” actor, would make his feature directorial debut on the film.
Right now the project is just at the package stage and being presented to interested buyers looking to make it, but it surely will be an in-demand package that could go quickly and make this movie a reality sooner rather than later. It also helps that the Farley family has given its blessing to the project.
The currently untitled film is based on “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography In Three Acts” written by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby that...
- 4/12/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
“Saturday Night Live” legend Chris Farley’s funny, sad, tragically brief life is getting the biopic treatment from producer Lorne Michaels and director Josh Gad, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Black Bird” star Paul Walter Hauser has been tapped to play Farley. The script is by “Daisy Jones & the Six” creators Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and based on the bestselling book “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts” by Farley’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby. “SNL” boss Michaels will produce through his Broadway Video banner. The project, which is being shopped to studios now, has the blessing of the Farley family.
Gad, who is best known for his performances in the Disney films “Frozen” and “Beauty and the Beast” and the Broadway shows “The Book of Mormon” and “Gutenberg! The Musical,” will be making his feature directorial debut with the biopic.
Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning “Black Bird” star Paul Walter Hauser has been tapped to play Farley. The script is by “Daisy Jones & the Six” creators Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and based on the bestselling book “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts” by Farley’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby. “SNL” boss Michaels will produce through his Broadway Video banner. The project, which is being shopped to studios now, has the blessing of the Farley family.
Gad, who is best known for his performances in the Disney films “Frozen” and “Beauty and the Beast” and the Broadway shows “The Book of Mormon” and “Gutenberg! The Musical,” will be making his feature directorial debut with the biopic.
- 4/12/2024
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
Here's a lesson for the kids out there: speak your dreams into existence and maybe, just maybe, they'll actually come true. Tragically, those who follow the comedy scene closely know that it's littered with high-profile examples of beloved talent who ended up burning out and leaving us far too soon. This one, however, might end up circling back to the best of silver linings.
Today's news has to do with Chris Farley, the late, great "Saturday Night Live" actor and comedian who passed away at the age of 33 back in 1997. He may not be as well-known a quantity among younger generations, but their older siblings and parents can certainly fill them in on the prolific, scene-stealing theatrics of the man who rose to prominence through "SNL" and subsequently made audiences cry with laughter in movies such as "Wayne's World" and its sequel, "Coneheads," "Airheads," and even an uncredited role in Adam Sandler's "Billy Madison.
Today's news has to do with Chris Farley, the late, great "Saturday Night Live" actor and comedian who passed away at the age of 33 back in 1997. He may not be as well-known a quantity among younger generations, but their older siblings and parents can certainly fill them in on the prolific, scene-stealing theatrics of the man who rose to prominence through "SNL" and subsequently made audiences cry with laughter in movies such as "Wayne's World" and its sequel, "Coneheads," "Airheads," and even an uncredited role in Adam Sandler's "Billy Madison.
- 4/12/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Cruella and Cobra Kai actor Paul Walter Hauser is going from voicing Embarrassment in Pixar’s upcoming sequel Inside Out 2 to living in a van down by the river for the lead role in Josh Gad’s Chris Farley biopic. Hauser is stuffing himself into a little coat to play the legendary comedian, Saturday Night Live alum, and star of comedies like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverly Hills Ninja. Josh Gad directs the Chris Farley biopic, with Lorne Michaels producing through his Broadway video studio.
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will pen the script based on the New York Times best-selling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby. Chris Farley’s family is excited about who’s attached to the project. I’m officially dying to see Hauser’s portrayal of Farley, the energetic, unpredictable master of comedy,...
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will pen the script based on the New York Times best-selling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby. Chris Farley’s family is excited about who’s attached to the project. I’m officially dying to see Hauser’s portrayal of Farley, the energetic, unpredictable master of comedy,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
A Chris Farley biopic is in the works, with Josh Gad set to direct.
In the hot package being shopped around town, Emmy, Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award winner Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as the legendary comedian. There’s no word yet on where the project will land, but it’s sure to attract a slew of bidders.
The film will adapt best-selling biography “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts” by Tom Farley Jr. (Chris Farley’s brother) and Tanner Colby. Lorne Michaels, who cast Farley on “Saturday Night Live,” is producing via Broadway Video.
Oscar and Emmy nominees Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber will write the screenplay.
Before his tragic death in 1997 of a drug overdose, Farley rose to fame during his five-season stretch on “Saturday Night Live.” During that time, he starred in beloved sketches including “Lunch Lady Land” with Adam Sandler,...
In the hot package being shopped around town, Emmy, Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award winner Paul Walter Hauser is attached to star as the legendary comedian. There’s no word yet on where the project will land, but it’s sure to attract a slew of bidders.
The film will adapt best-selling biography “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts” by Tom Farley Jr. (Chris Farley’s brother) and Tanner Colby. Lorne Michaels, who cast Farley on “Saturday Night Live,” is producing via Broadway Video.
Oscar and Emmy nominees Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber will write the screenplay.
Before his tragic death in 1997 of a drug overdose, Farley rose to fame during his five-season stretch on “Saturday Night Live.” During that time, he starred in beloved sketches including “Lunch Lady Land” with Adam Sandler,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Now here is a package coming together that is sure to set the town and market on fire. Deadline is hearing that a script based on The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts is being shopped with Paul Walter Hauser attached to play the iconic late comic and actor.
Josh Gad will direct with Lorne Michaels, who found and cast Farley in Saturday Night Live in the ’90s, producing through his Broadway Video. The package will be sold as a pitch based on the book with Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber penning the script.
Based on the biography by Farley’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby — insiders say the family has given their blessing to the project — the film would tell the story of one of the great comic actors of his generation. Getting his start in the heyday of Saturday Night Live, where Farley...
Josh Gad will direct with Lorne Michaels, who found and cast Farley in Saturday Night Live in the ’90s, producing through his Broadway Video. The package will be sold as a pitch based on the book with Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber penning the script.
Based on the biography by Farley’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby — insiders say the family has given their blessing to the project — the film would tell the story of one of the great comic actors of his generation. Getting his start in the heyday of Saturday Night Live, where Farley...
- 4/12/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Farley — the legendary comedy actor behind Tommy Boy and countless Saturday Night Live performances — is getting the biopic treatment.
Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser will star in the project that has actor-filmmaker Josh Gad attached to direct. Saturday Night Live patriarch Lorne Michaels will produce via his Broadway video banner.
The screenplay will be written by sought after duo Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber based on the New York Times best-selling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby.
The project, which is currently being pitched around town, has the blessing of the Farley family.
Farley rose to fame as a player on Saturday Night Live alongside castmembers Adam Sandler and David Spade, known for his energetic and physical performances. Famous for sketches that saw him play Bill Swerski’s Superfans (“da Bears!”), an overzealous motivational speaker (“living in...
Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser will star in the project that has actor-filmmaker Josh Gad attached to direct. Saturday Night Live patriarch Lorne Michaels will produce via his Broadway video banner.
The screenplay will be written by sought after duo Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber based on the New York Times best-selling biography The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby.
The project, which is currently being pitched around town, has the blessing of the Farley family.
Farley rose to fame as a player on Saturday Night Live alongside castmembers Adam Sandler and David Spade, known for his energetic and physical performances. Famous for sketches that saw him play Bill Swerski’s Superfans (“da Bears!”), an overzealous motivational speaker (“living in...
- 4/12/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC’s entire Lorne Michaels industrial complex is taking an extended Spring break.
Starting Monday April 15, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Saturday Night Live will all be dark for two weeks.
Fallon and Meyers are set to return with new episodes on Monday April 29th, while Saturday Night Live’s next live show (after this weekend’s Ryan Gosling-hosted episode) will be May 4th.
That’s not to say that everyone’s about to hit the beach. For some, it’ll be a working vacation.
Seth Meyers will hit the stage with fellow late night host John Oliver this Sunday April 14th as part of the duo’s monthly residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre.
Also hitting the road this break are SNLers Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman and Chloe Troast. All three comics are scheduled to perform Saturday April 20th in Austin,...
Starting Monday April 15, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Saturday Night Live will all be dark for two weeks.
Fallon and Meyers are set to return with new episodes on Monday April 29th, while Saturday Night Live’s next live show (after this weekend’s Ryan Gosling-hosted episode) will be May 4th.
That’s not to say that everyone’s about to hit the beach. For some, it’ll be a working vacation.
Seth Meyers will hit the stage with fellow late night host John Oliver this Sunday April 14th as part of the duo’s monthly residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre.
Also hitting the road this break are SNLers Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman and Chloe Troast. All three comics are scheduled to perform Saturday April 20th in Austin,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
Exclusive: Atx TV Festival has announced the finalists for this year’s Pitch Competition.
Here they are in alphabetical order:
Clue Castle by Nell Kessler, (Diplo)rable by Shatha Yas, Golden by Darren Bluestone, Good Grief by Zavior Phillips, Live From New York by Carolyn Getches and Hilary C. Gish, Mourning Wood by Garrett Williams, Oakdale Country Club by Toni Adeyemi, Rats! by Candelaria Duran and Robert Daniels, Seasick by Libby Glenn and Taylor Kerr, and Swallows by Nathan Pearson.
Find details about each of the Top 10 finalists’ pitches below. Atx TV Festival will be held in Austin, Texas, from May 30 to June 2.
“Working with the Pitch Finalists has become one of my favorite parts of what I do,” Emily Gipson, co-founder and co-president, Atx TV Festival said in a statement. “I love getting to know each of them throughout the year and diving into their projects, as well as...
Here they are in alphabetical order:
Clue Castle by Nell Kessler, (Diplo)rable by Shatha Yas, Golden by Darren Bluestone, Good Grief by Zavior Phillips, Live From New York by Carolyn Getches and Hilary C. Gish, Mourning Wood by Garrett Williams, Oakdale Country Club by Toni Adeyemi, Rats! by Candelaria Duran and Robert Daniels, Seasick by Libby Glenn and Taylor Kerr, and Swallows by Nathan Pearson.
Find details about each of the Top 10 finalists’ pitches below. Atx TV Festival will be held in Austin, Texas, from May 30 to June 2.
“Working with the Pitch Finalists has become one of my favorite parts of what I do,” Emily Gipson, co-founder and co-president, Atx TV Festival said in a statement. “I love getting to know each of them throughout the year and diving into their projects, as well as...
- 4/12/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sometimes, a Bat Signal is a searchlight that sends a signal of hope capable of piercing even Gotham City’s darkest night. Sometimes, it’s a YouTube video on a channel devoted to getting sponsorship from Hot Topic, asking any artists if they’re down to collaborate. Vera Drew opted for the latter.
Her film, “The People’s Joker,” is not only one of the most impressive and subversive stretches of fair use law ever put to film, taking the characters and mythology of the Batman universe (as well as Lorne Michaels) to tell a trans coming-of-age story that DC Comics would never touch on its own. It is also an impressive, successful example of how crowdsourcing can elevate a project and bring out the radical queer politics at its heart.
Drew had initially thought about working on a project that repurposed and rearranged footage from Todd Philip’s “Joker,” but...
Her film, “The People’s Joker,” is not only one of the most impressive and subversive stretches of fair use law ever put to film, taking the characters and mythology of the Batman universe (as well as Lorne Michaels) to tell a trans coming-of-age story that DC Comics would never touch on its own. It is also an impressive, successful example of how crowdsourcing can elevate a project and bring out the radical queer politics at its heart.
Drew had initially thought about working on a project that repurposed and rearranged footage from Todd Philip’s “Joker,” but...
- 4/11/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
The five artists chosen for the 2024 Kennedy Center Honors are likely being informed now in the month of April about their selections. That’s according to recent honoree Billy Crystal, who said he was told last April and had to keep quiet until mid-summer when the 2023 Kch choices were officially announced.
Crystal was honored a few months ago in Washington, D.C. for the annual CBS event, along with Renee Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick. Who do we think will be among the honorees announced this summer? Tour our photo gallery above to see who are our choices for the top 50 entertainers who need to be selected soon. You can also visit our forums thread where we have a much lengthier list of hundreds of eligible artists.
SEEKennedy Center Honors: 20 Greatest Performances of All Time
Our gallery features deserving artists from the fields of acting (both film and TV), popular music,...
Crystal was honored a few months ago in Washington, D.C. for the annual CBS event, along with Renee Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick. Who do we think will be among the honorees announced this summer? Tour our photo gallery above to see who are our choices for the top 50 entertainers who need to be selected soon. You can also visit our forums thread where we have a much lengthier list of hundreds of eligible artists.
SEEKennedy Center Honors: 20 Greatest Performances of All Time
Our gallery features deserving artists from the fields of acting (both film and TV), popular music,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
It’s the question everyone loves asking: Will Lorne Michaels actually retire after SNL’s milestone 50th season next year?
The Saturday Night Live creator and longtime EP has hinted as much, but add Conan O’Brien to the list of doubters.
“If you took an X-ray of Lorne Michaels, you would see SNL in his bone marrow,” O’Brien tells the Hollywood Reporter in a new interview. “I just don’t see it happening. And I don’t think anyone’s anxious for him to go anywhere.”
“When Franklin Roosevelt died suddenly in April of 1945, he’d been president for 13 years,” O’Brien continued. “There was a whole generation that only knew him. Lorne is the Fdr of comedy. Retiring to his blueberry farm? I’m not buying it.”
O’Brien, of course, isn’t a mere bystander. He worked Michaels with for 23 years–first as a writer on SNL...
The Saturday Night Live creator and longtime EP has hinted as much, but add Conan O’Brien to the list of doubters.
“If you took an X-ray of Lorne Michaels, you would see SNL in his bone marrow,” O’Brien tells the Hollywood Reporter in a new interview. “I just don’t see it happening. And I don’t think anyone’s anxious for him to go anywhere.”
“When Franklin Roosevelt died suddenly in April of 1945, he’d been president for 13 years,” O’Brien continued. “There was a whole generation that only knew him. Lorne is the Fdr of comedy. Retiring to his blueberry farm? I’m not buying it.”
O’Brien, of course, isn’t a mere bystander. He worked Michaels with for 23 years–first as a writer on SNL...
- 4/11/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
Ryan Gosling is bringing his Kenergy to Saturday Night Live this week, alongside musical guest Chris Stapleton.
The Oscar-nominated Barbie actor will serve as the sketch comedy show’s host for the third time, and if his promo is any indication, viewers are in for a laugh.
The 45-second video sees Gosling hovering near Stapleton’s dressing room door with a photo of the country artist for him to sign. The actor wears a black T-shirt with a white horse and the artist’s name on it, as he tries to work up the courage to approach the musician for his autograph.
“‘Mr. Stapleton, big fan, love your music,'” The Fall Guy star says as he attempts to find the right words to approach the Grammy winner. “Nah, that’s stupid. ‘Yo Chris, one for the ‘gram?'” Gosling brainstorms as he gestures posing for a selfie. “Master Stapleton,...
The Oscar-nominated Barbie actor will serve as the sketch comedy show’s host for the third time, and if his promo is any indication, viewers are in for a laugh.
The 45-second video sees Gosling hovering near Stapleton’s dressing room door with a photo of the country artist for him to sign. The actor wears a black T-shirt with a white horse and the artist’s name on it, as he tries to work up the courage to approach the musician for his autograph.
“‘Mr. Stapleton, big fan, love your music,'” The Fall Guy star says as he attempts to find the right words to approach the Grammy winner. “Nah, that’s stupid. ‘Yo Chris, one for the ‘gram?'” Gosling brainstorms as he gestures posing for a selfie. “Master Stapleton,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 1989, Dolly Parton hosted Saturday Night Live for the first and only time. While on the show, Parton poked fun at her appearance and parts of her career. Parton has always had a strong sense of humor and hasn’t been afraid to make fun of herself. When she arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, she only had two off-limit areas for the show.
Dolly Parton only had two requests as the host of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Parton spent her opening monologue poking fun at her appearance, proving that little would be off-limits when she hosted. She was happy to be a part of jokes at her own expense. SNL cast member Jan Hooks said this was a quality that made Parton one of her favorite guests. She only had two demands when she arrived to work on the episode.
Dolly Parton on ‘Saturday Night Live’ | NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images...
Dolly Parton only had two requests as the host of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Parton spent her opening monologue poking fun at her appearance, proving that little would be off-limits when she hosted. She was happy to be a part of jokes at her own expense. SNL cast member Jan Hooks said this was a quality that made Parton one of her favorite guests. She only had two demands when she arrived to work on the episode.
Dolly Parton on ‘Saturday Night Live’ | NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images...
- 4/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Nearly 50 years in, Saturday Night Live’s once exclusive Five-Timer’s Club has become, well, less so.
It’s not because Lorne Michaels has been handing out the jackets to folks who haven’t actually hosted five times (which was this joke on this show this weekend). The reality is that with the addition of Kristen Wiig this past weekend, 27 people have now hosted the show five or more times.
But who will be next to earn the honorary Five-Timers jacket? Our podcast partners at the Saturday Night Network recently compiled a list of the most likely possibilities, those with four episodes already under their belt:
Taking into account that SNL hosts are most likely to take the gig when they have a project to promote, of the twelve celebs who are just one episode shy of entering the club, there are quite a few viable candidates:
With Only Murders in the Building...
It’s not because Lorne Michaels has been handing out the jackets to folks who haven’t actually hosted five times (which was this joke on this show this weekend). The reality is that with the addition of Kristen Wiig this past weekend, 27 people have now hosted the show five or more times.
But who will be next to earn the honorary Five-Timers jacket? Our podcast partners at the Saturday Night Network recently compiled a list of the most likely possibilities, those with four episodes already under their belt:
Taking into account that SNL hosts are most likely to take the gig when they have a project to promote, of the twelve celebs who are just one episode shy of entering the club, there are quite a few viable candidates:
With Only Murders in the Building...
- 4/9/2024
- by Nick Riccardo
- LateNighter
When Kristen Wiig took the stage in Studio 8H to host “Saturday Night Live” April 6, she achieved one of the most coveted milestones in sketch comedy: joining the Five-Timers Club. One of the show’s longest-running traditions is gifting people who have hosted five times an honorary jacket during their monologue, which typically features appearances from other celebrities in the club.
“I am so happy to be back, and I am so excited because it is my fifth time hosting,” Wiig said when she took the stage. “So I’m officially in the Five-Timers Club!”
But while Wiig’s monologue did feature plenty of A-list cameos, few actually had the distinction of being Five-Timers. She was quickly visited by Matt Damon, who wore the special jacket despite having only hosted the show twice.
“Lorne said the first time I hosted was so good, it accounted for three, and then the...
“I am so happy to be back, and I am so excited because it is my fifth time hosting,” Wiig said when she took the stage. “So I’m officially in the Five-Timers Club!”
But while Wiig’s monologue did feature plenty of A-list cameos, few actually had the distinction of being Five-Timers. She was quickly visited by Matt Damon, who wore the special jacket despite having only hosted the show twice.
“Lorne said the first time I hosted was so good, it accounted for three, and then the...
- 4/7/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
This past weekend, Kristen Wiig, a former SNL cast member and comedic powerhouse, joined the ranks of the Five-Timers Club. She hosted Saturday Night Live on April 6th, making it her fifth time leading the show.
Kristen Wiig Five-Timers Monologue – Saturday Night Live (Image via YouTube)
The actress looked stunning in a chic black corset top paired with black pants during her monologue. Among the celebrities who joined the host were Paul Rudd, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Martin Short, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and none other than Ryan Gosling.
Kristen Wiig Became SNL‘s ‘Five-Timers’ Member
As Kristen Wiig took the stage, she couldn’t contain her happiness. With a wide smile, she announced to the audience that she was “so happy to be back” and “excited” to host Saturday Night Live! for the fifth time.
With this, she has now officially become part of the exclusive Five-Timers Club. Wiig...
Kristen Wiig Five-Timers Monologue – Saturday Night Live (Image via YouTube)
The actress looked stunning in a chic black corset top paired with black pants during her monologue. Among the celebrities who joined the host were Paul Rudd, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Martin Short, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and none other than Ryan Gosling.
Kristen Wiig Became SNL‘s ‘Five-Timers’ Member
As Kristen Wiig took the stage, she couldn’t contain her happiness. With a wide smile, she announced to the audience that she was “so happy to be back” and “excited” to host Saturday Night Live! for the fifth time.
With this, she has now officially become part of the exclusive Five-Timers Club. Wiig...
- 4/7/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
The only problem with having Kristen Wiig return to Saturday Night Live as host is she won’t be back for the next show.
Not only was this week’s edition the funniest overall of the current season, it looked like the most fun many of the participants have had all year. And that included a seemingly endless conga line of special guests, which may have set an official SNL record for cameos.
That could be researched, but who cares? It was a lot:
Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Paul Rudd, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Martin Short, Ryan Gosling, Paula Pell. Normally, when former cast members or hosts turn up on SNL unbilled, it brings on suggestions from the “SNL is having a weak season” crowd that Lorne Michaels felt like he needed to call in some favors.
In this case, it honestly looked more like all these people just wanted...
Not only was this week’s edition the funniest overall of the current season, it looked like the most fun many of the participants have had all year. And that included a seemingly endless conga line of special guests, which may have set an official SNL record for cameos.
That could be researched, but who cares? It was a lot:
Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Paul Rudd, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Martin Short, Ryan Gosling, Paula Pell. Normally, when former cast members or hosts turn up on SNL unbilled, it brings on suggestions from the “SNL is having a weak season” crowd that Lorne Michaels felt like he needed to call in some favors.
In this case, it honestly looked more like all these people just wanted...
- 4/7/2024
- by Bill Carter
- LateNighter
Former SNL cast member Kristen Wiig joined the show’s “five-timers club” on Saturday, with her monologue featuring appearances by a number of other former hosts, some of whom haven’t had that gig five times but wore jackets of their own nonetheless.
Wiig, whose most recent Saturday Night Live appearance was in December during fellow SNL alum Kate McKinnon’s monologue, didn’t make it far into her monologue before Paul Rudd–a legitimate five-timer–called out from the audience.
When Wiig informed him that there was no club-related...
Wiig, whose most recent Saturday Night Live appearance was in December during fellow SNL alum Kate McKinnon’s monologue, didn’t make it far into her monologue before Paul Rudd–a legitimate five-timer–called out from the audience.
When Wiig informed him that there was no club-related...
- 4/7/2024
- by William Vaillancourt
- Rollingstone.com
Ahead of starring in SNL 1975, Jason Reitman’s period comedy feature, Kaia Gerber is getting a feel for Studio 8H.
Gerber joined her Palm Royale co-star Kristen Wiig in a sketch on this evening’s SNL.
Wiig, celebrating her fifth time hosting the long-running NBC show, played a psychotic instructor in a movie trailer skit for the horror film Pilates.
From the creator of Saw X and marketing director for Alo, comes a chilling new look at girl horror, said the trailer before showing Wiig push around a group of cast members including Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Bowen Yang and Heidi Gardner.
Gerber, who will play Jacqueline Carlin in SNL 1975, popped up to say “This is randomly so easy.” Not a huge surprise for the model and daughter of Cindy Crawford.
Related: ‘SNL 1975’ Cast: Who’s Who In ‘Saturday Night Live’ Origin Movie
Gerber revealed recently that...
Gerber joined her Palm Royale co-star Kristen Wiig in a sketch on this evening’s SNL.
Wiig, celebrating her fifth time hosting the long-running NBC show, played a psychotic instructor in a movie trailer skit for the horror film Pilates.
From the creator of Saw X and marketing director for Alo, comes a chilling new look at girl horror, said the trailer before showing Wiig push around a group of cast members including Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Bowen Yang and Heidi Gardner.
Gerber, who will play Jacqueline Carlin in SNL 1975, popped up to say “This is randomly so easy.” Not a huge surprise for the model and daughter of Cindy Crawford.
Related: ‘SNL 1975’ Cast: Who’s Who In ‘Saturday Night Live’ Origin Movie
Gerber revealed recently that...
- 4/7/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
SNL Video: Matt Damon, Paul Rudd, Ryan Gosling and More Welcome Kristen Wiig to the Five-Timers Club
Kristen Wiig is now officially a member of Saturday Night Live’s Five-Timers Club, and she’s in some pretty exclusive company. Well, maybe not that exclusive.
The former SNL cast member kicked off her fifth stint as host on Saturday with a monologue where she celebrated her milestone achievement. But she was soon reminded that more than a few other celebrities have hosted five times as well, with Paul Rudd popping up in the audience wearing his Five-Timers jacket and hoping there’d be a sketch with a bunch of celeb cameos that he could join in on.
The former SNL cast member kicked off her fifth stint as host on Saturday with a monologue where she celebrated her milestone achievement. But she was soon reminded that more than a few other celebrities have hosted five times as well, with Paul Rudd popping up in the audience wearing his Five-Timers jacket and hoping there’d be a sketch with a bunch of celeb cameos that he could join in on.
- 4/7/2024
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
“The People’s Joker,” a scandalous IP-on-acid coming-out comic-book psychodrama, is a movie that has all the earmarks of an underground/ midnight/guerrilla-cinema sensation. Vera Drew, who directed and co-wrote it, plays the title character, a mentally fractured aspiring stand-up comedian who bills herself as Joker the Harlequin. She wears a green wig parted down the middle, white makeup with big jagged dark blotches around the eyes, a razory red lipstick grin, along with a purple jacket and fishnets that make her, in every way possible, a transgressive presence. Onstage, when she puts an inhaler up to her mouth and draws in a breath of Smylex, the feel-happy drug prescribed to her as a child, she’ll let out a cackle of laughter so derisive it sounds like she’s going to fracture her own rib. She’s the maniacal Joker of DC legend, as well as an outlaw parody of...
- 4/6/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Lorne Michaels has a reputation for not accepting SNL cast resignations until they’ve had a few months to think about it. It would seem it’s not without good reason.
In a new interview with The New York Times, Maya Rudolph recalled quitting the show after her seventh season, only to change her mind.
“I wasn’t ready to leave when I [first] left,” she told the Times. “I kind of left twice, I said goodbye, and I was like, Oh, I’m back for one more.”
One can be forgiven for not remembering, but Rudolph did all of this quite publicly.
With just five days to go before the show’s Season 33 premiere, she told NBC that she was stepping down.
A day later, NBC made another announcement—that Rudolph had changed her mind.
Continue reading Maya Rudolph Recalls Publicly Quitting SNL—Only to Unquit Days Later at LateNighter.
In a new interview with The New York Times, Maya Rudolph recalled quitting the show after her seventh season, only to change her mind.
“I wasn’t ready to leave when I [first] left,” she told the Times. “I kind of left twice, I said goodbye, and I was like, Oh, I’m back for one more.”
One can be forgiven for not remembering, but Rudolph did all of this quite publicly.
With just five days to go before the show’s Season 33 premiere, she told NBC that she was stepping down.
A day later, NBC made another announcement—that Rudolph had changed her mind.
Continue reading Maya Rudolph Recalls Publicly Quitting SNL—Only to Unquit Days Later at LateNighter.
- 4/5/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
Playwright Christopher Durang died earlier this week from complications of primary progressive aphasia.
A Tony Award-winner for his 2012 play Vanya and Sonia and Mash and Spike, his work on and off-broadway spanned decades, and included several collaborations with the actress Sigourney Weaver.
He also played a little-known part in Saturday Night Live history.
It was his friendship with Weaver that brought Durang to Saturday Night Live on October 11th, 1986 for the show’s first episode of its 12th season (an episode that also saw the debut of Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman).
Weaver hosted that night, and she introduced Durang to the audience in her opening monologue before two participated in a somewhat stilted gag about Lorne Michaels convincing Weaver to appear on the show out of his love for Bertolt Brecht.
Durang appeared again minutes later in the debut installment of Church Chat, where he earned the distinction of...
A Tony Award-winner for his 2012 play Vanya and Sonia and Mash and Spike, his work on and off-broadway spanned decades, and included several collaborations with the actress Sigourney Weaver.
He also played a little-known part in Saturday Night Live history.
It was his friendship with Weaver that brought Durang to Saturday Night Live on October 11th, 1986 for the show’s first episode of its 12th season (an episode that also saw the debut of Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman).
Weaver hosted that night, and she introduced Durang to the audience in her opening monologue before two participated in a somewhat stilted gag about Lorne Michaels convincing Weaver to appear on the show out of his love for Bertolt Brecht.
Durang appeared again minutes later in the debut installment of Church Chat, where he earned the distinction of...
- 4/4/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
Kristen Wiig finds herself in for a rude awakening in this week’s Saturday Night Live promo, when she discovers her old dressing room has been ruined by the show’s new talent.
“I’m finally home,” Wiig says in the promo as she walks down the halls of Studio 8H, where she worked as a castmember from 2005 to 2012.
“The best part of being home returning to your childhood bedroom — or in my case, dressing room,” she continues, adding that executive producer Lorne Michaels “promised they’d always leave it just the way I left it.”
As she approaches the room, Wiig muses that she can’t wait to “see all my old wigs” and “my favorite costumes,” but when she opens the door, she finds her things tossed haphazardly into boxes to make room for a mess caused by current inhabitants of the dressing room — SNL featured players Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker.
“I’m finally home,” Wiig says in the promo as she walks down the halls of Studio 8H, where she worked as a castmember from 2005 to 2012.
“The best part of being home returning to your childhood bedroom — or in my case, dressing room,” she continues, adding that executive producer Lorne Michaels “promised they’d always leave it just the way I left it.”
As she approaches the room, Wiig muses that she can’t wait to “see all my old wigs” and “my favorite costumes,” but when she opens the door, she finds her things tossed haphazardly into boxes to make room for a mess caused by current inhabitants of the dressing room — SNL featured players Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker.
- 4/3/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lorne Michaels is an expert at celebrating the legacy of “Saturday Night Live.” The show’s creator has produced variety specials for the NBC program’s 15th anniversary, 25th anniversary and 40th anniversary, so the upcoming 50th season should have a highly entertaining spectacle. Nothing less than a three-hour event would be expected, but how else should “SNL” celebrate the golden anniversary season, which would begin in the autumn of 2024 and continue through May, 2025?
Here is our exciting, fun suggestion for a way to go above and beyond for the live special. Over the course of a 20-22 episode season, NBC would certainly have almost every episode featuring the current cast along with hot guest hosts and musical guests. However, for the other five episodes spread out over several months, devote an entire 90 minutes to each previous decade. Invite back the biggest cast members from a decade along with well-known guest hosts and music stars.
Here is our exciting, fun suggestion for a way to go above and beyond for the live special. Over the course of a 20-22 episode season, NBC would certainly have almost every episode featuring the current cast along with hot guest hosts and musical guests. However, for the other five episodes spread out over several months, devote an entire 90 minutes to each previous decade. Invite back the biggest cast members from a decade along with well-known guest hosts and music stars.
- 4/3/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Vera Drew in The People’s JokerImage: Altered Innocence
In an entertainment landscape dominated by intellectual property franchising made at increasingly higher budgets, it can sometimes feel like fresh storytelling ideas are considered too risky to be properly told, that only those films with majority mass-market appeal ever have a shot of finding their audience.
In an entertainment landscape dominated by intellectual property franchising made at increasingly higher budgets, it can sometimes feel like fresh storytelling ideas are considered too risky to be properly told, that only those films with majority mass-market appeal ever have a shot of finding their audience.
- 4/2/2024
- by Leigh Monson
- avclub.com
If you're just waking up to the saga of "The People's Joker," it starts out the way most comic book characters do — with a tragic origin story. After working as an editor for shows like "On Camera," "Comedy Bang! Bang!," and earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for "Who is America?," Vera Drew successfully crowdfunded her fair use feature directorial debut, in which she utilizes the iconography of arguably one the most recognizable DC Comics world — Batman and the Joker — to tell a queer, autobiographical coming-of-age Joker origin story that doubles as a massive middle finger to Lorne Michaels and the conventional, corporate comedy landscape. "The People's Joker" enjoyed a single screening at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before it was pulled due to "rights issues."
Fortunately, Drew refused to go down without a fight, and after proving the film is protected under parody law, the Lgbtqia+-focused distribution company...
Fortunately, Drew refused to go down without a fight, and after proving the film is protected under parody law, the Lgbtqia+-focused distribution company...
- 4/1/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
There are entire generations that have no idea that Steve Martin was a stand-up comedian. They may recognize him as one-third of the trio that’s turned Only Murders in the Building into a streaming hit, or the long-suffering patriarch of the Father of the Bride movies, or maybe as that guy with the funny mustache who was in that one thing with Beyoncé (i.e. 2006 Pink Panther reboot). Some might have watched Parenthood or Planes, Trains and Automobiles with their parents when they were younger. He’s the celebrity who,...
- 4/1/2024
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Like so many of the comic-book supervillains that populate it, writer-director Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker arrives with an origin story. An “autobiographical transgender coming-of-age story,” the film stars Drew herself as Joker the Harlequin, an aspiring trans comedian who moves to a dystopic Gotham City and finds herself navigating both her own transition and the world of illicit underground comedy. The characters and settings are largely parodies drawn from DC Comics, but Warner Bros. wasn’t in on the joke, and after the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival back in 2022, the studio sent Drew a letter threatening legal action, and all future screenings were canceled.
After a long period of further delays and secret screenings of the film as Drew sought to make sure that she was fully protected from legal action under fair use has allowed for a fully legal release—complete...
After a long period of further delays and secret screenings of the film as Drew sought to make sure that she was fully protected from legal action under fair use has allowed for a fully legal release—complete...
- 4/1/2024
- by Brad Hanford
- Slant Magazine
Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan conducted an extensive series of interviews with the living cast, writers and crew of the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live, which aired on October 11, 1975 on NBC and has been going ever since. The result of their efforts is Sony Pictures’ upcoming SNL 1975, a movie retelling the story of that night.
The pic, which Reitman and Kenan co-wrote and which Reitman is directing, tells the chaotic behind-the-scenes story of what happened that first night, just before the live cameras clicked on to launch a late-night institution and a slew of eventual stars among the young, mostly unknown troupe of comedians including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner, all under the watchful eye of creator Lorne Michaels.
Related: Who’s In The Season 49 Cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Some of the fun with SNL 1975 is following as the cast assembles to...
The pic, which Reitman and Kenan co-wrote and which Reitman is directing, tells the chaotic behind-the-scenes story of what happened that first night, just before the live cameras clicked on to launch a late-night institution and a slew of eventual stars among the young, mostly unknown troupe of comedians including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner, all under the watchful eye of creator Lorne Michaels.
Related: Who’s In The Season 49 Cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Some of the fun with SNL 1975 is following as the cast assembles to...
- 3/29/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The currently in production film about Saturday Night Live’s first broadcast, SNL 1975, has cast Jon Batiste in the on-screen role of Billy Preston, the sketch show’s first-ever musical guest.
The Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning Batiste will also compose the score for the film, which is being directed by Jason Reitman.
Others cast in the Sony Pictures film include Gabriel Labelle as Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as NBC late-night executive Dick Ebersol, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Matt Wood as John Belushi, Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Emily Fairne as Laraine Newman, Nicholas Podano as Billy Crystal, Taylor Gray as Al Franken, Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page, and J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle.
Batiste’s participation in SNL 1975 represents a late-night return of sorts for Batiste, who lead the in-house band for CBS...
The Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning Batiste will also compose the score for the film, which is being directed by Jason Reitman.
Others cast in the Sony Pictures film include Gabriel Labelle as Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as NBC late-night executive Dick Ebersol, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Matt Wood as John Belushi, Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Emily Fairne as Laraine Newman, Nicholas Podano as Billy Crystal, Taylor Gray as Al Franken, Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page, and J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle.
Batiste’s participation in SNL 1975 represents a late-night return of sorts for Batiste, who lead the in-house band for CBS...
- 3/29/2024
- by A.J. Katz
- LateNighter
Joy Behar said she once auditioned for Saturday Night Live, but it didn’t necessarily go as planned.
The comedian and co-host of ABC’s The View shared on the daytime talk show’s companion podcast The View: Behind the Table Wednesday that she auditioned for the sketch comedy show’s cast in 1975.
“There was a period where I tried to get on because I had this funny character that I did. And I had to audition for [creator] Lorne Michaels,” she recounted. “He never laughed, and after I was done, he said, ‘That was funny.’ I said, ‘You didn’t laugh,’ and he said, ‘Well, I don’t want to laugh because then you’ll think you have a job.’ I said, ‘That’s Ok, don’t worry about it.’ I didn’t even want the job, to tell you the truth.”
While The View producer Brian Teta proceeded to...
The comedian and co-host of ABC’s The View shared on the daytime talk show’s companion podcast The View: Behind the Table Wednesday that she auditioned for the sketch comedy show’s cast in 1975.
“There was a period where I tried to get on because I had this funny character that I did. And I had to audition for [creator] Lorne Michaels,” she recounted. “He never laughed, and after I was done, he said, ‘That was funny.’ I said, ‘You didn’t laugh,’ and he said, ‘Well, I don’t want to laugh because then you’ll think you have a job.’ I said, ‘That’s Ok, don’t worry about it.’ I didn’t even want the job, to tell you the truth.”
While The View producer Brian Teta proceeded to...
- 3/29/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The View co-host Joy Behar once auditioned for Saturday Night Live. It did not go well.
The 81-year-old recalled the 1975 moment Wednesday on The View’s companion podcast, Behind the Table.
“There was a period I tried to get on, because I had this funny character that I did. I had to audition for [SNL creator-producer] Lorne Michaels,” Behar told View producer Brian Teta. “He never laughed, and after I was done, he said, ‘That was funny.’ I said, ‘You didn’t laugh,’ and he said, ‘I don’t want to laugh because then you’ll think you have a job.’ I said, ‘That’s okay, don’t worry about it.’ I didn’t even want the job, to tell you the truth.”
Michaels is famous for purposely not laughing during SNL auditions. Behar admitted it was still “a little depressing to have to audition for somebody and they don’t laugh.
The 81-year-old recalled the 1975 moment Wednesday on The View’s companion podcast, Behind the Table.
“There was a period I tried to get on, because I had this funny character that I did. I had to audition for [SNL creator-producer] Lorne Michaels,” Behar told View producer Brian Teta. “He never laughed, and after I was done, he said, ‘That was funny.’ I said, ‘You didn’t laugh,’ and he said, ‘I don’t want to laugh because then you’ll think you have a job.’ I said, ‘That’s okay, don’t worry about it.’ I didn’t even want the job, to tell you the truth.”
Michaels is famous for purposely not laughing during SNL auditions. Behar admitted it was still “a little depressing to have to audition for somebody and they don’t laugh.
- 3/28/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Jon Batiste is tackling dual responsibilities with Jason Reitman’s forthcoming feature that will focus on the opening night for NBC’s long-running sketch series Saturday Night Live.
Batiste will compose the score for the Sony Pictures film SNL 1975, and he will also appear in the movie as keyboardist and singer Billy Preston, who was the show’s first musical guest when it debuted Oct. 11, 1975. Centering on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to that initial broadcast, Reitman’s film stars Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as former NBC exec Dick Ebersol and Rachel Sennott as Michaels’ ex-wife and former SNL writer Rosie Shuster.
Reitman and Gil Kenan wrote the screenplay based on their interviews with living cast, scribes and crew about the launch of the show that is currently airing its 49th season. Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld and Peter Rice serve as producers on SNL 1975...
Batiste will compose the score for the Sony Pictures film SNL 1975, and he will also appear in the movie as keyboardist and singer Billy Preston, who was the show’s first musical guest when it debuted Oct. 11, 1975. Centering on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to that initial broadcast, Reitman’s film stars Gabriel Labelle as series creator Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as former NBC exec Dick Ebersol and Rachel Sennott as Michaels’ ex-wife and former SNL writer Rosie Shuster.
Reitman and Gil Kenan wrote the screenplay based on their interviews with living cast, scribes and crew about the launch of the show that is currently airing its 49th season. Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld and Peter Rice serve as producers on SNL 1975...
- 3/28/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Seth Meyers is sharing his thoughts on rumors that Lorne Michaels is ready to bid farewell to Saturday Night Live and retiring from the NBC late-night sketch show.
The Late Night host recently made an appearance on Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out, where the podcast host asked Meyers about Michaels leaving SNL.
“Are you gonna take over for Lorne, or is it Tina [Fey] and then you?” Birbiglia asked, to which Meyers responded, “I think this is a false narrative that Lorne is going anywhere.”
Meyers was a head writer at SNL and worked on the sketch show between 2001 and 2014. The actor doesn’t think Michaels was completely serious when he said he wanted to retire from the comedy show after its 50th season.
“I think it made sense for Lorne — who’s, yeah, got a flair for the dramatic — to say, ‘I think I’ll be done at 50,'” Meyers said.
The Late Night host recently made an appearance on Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out, where the podcast host asked Meyers about Michaels leaving SNL.
“Are you gonna take over for Lorne, or is it Tina [Fey] and then you?” Birbiglia asked, to which Meyers responded, “I think this is a false narrative that Lorne is going anywhere.”
Meyers was a head writer at SNL and worked on the sketch show between 2001 and 2014. The actor doesn’t think Michaels was completely serious when he said he wanted to retire from the comedy show after its 50th season.
“I think it made sense for Lorne — who’s, yeah, got a flair for the dramatic — to say, ‘I think I’ll be done at 50,'” Meyers said.
- 3/27/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
J.K. Simmons has joined the cast of Jason Reitman’s SNL 1975, and not only will the Oscar winner be playing Hollywood legend Milton Berle, but he’ll have the notable distinction of becoming the first actual SNL host to join the cast of the Sony movie.
Simmons hosted the Jan. 31, 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live, which featured D’Angelo as the musical guest. At the time, Simmons was riding high off an Oscar nomination for Whiplash, and he would go on to win the Academy Award following his SNL hosting stint.
Meanwhile, Berle hosted SNL on April 14, 1979, and Ornette Coleman was his musical guest. It’s unclear where Berle fits into Reitman’s movie at this moment in time.
SNL 1975 is a behind-the-scenes account of the very first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film will reportedly unfold in real-time.
On the heels of playing Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans,...
Simmons hosted the Jan. 31, 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live, which featured D’Angelo as the musical guest. At the time, Simmons was riding high off an Oscar nomination for Whiplash, and he would go on to win the Academy Award following his SNL hosting stint.
Meanwhile, Berle hosted SNL on April 14, 1979, and Ornette Coleman was his musical guest. It’s unclear where Berle fits into Reitman’s movie at this moment in time.
SNL 1975 is a behind-the-scenes account of the very first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film will reportedly unfold in real-time.
On the heels of playing Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Jeff Sneider
- LateNighter
Morgan Neville is an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winning documentarian who has a knack for going deep inside the worlds of various entertainment and media figures in memorable films like the Academy Award winner 20 Feet From Stardom about backup singers; Won’t You Be My Neighbor about Fred Rogers; The Best Of Enemies focused on the rivalry of William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal; Roadrunner which delved into the world of Anthony Bourdain; and films on everyone from Orson Welles to Keith Richards and many others. But in getting Steve Martin to finally commit to a documentary on his life and extraordinary career as groundbreaking stand up comedian to movie star, author, playwright, and musician, Neville got even more than he could have imagined. After HBO’s Defending My Life, Rob Reiner’s recent terrific documentary on a similar comic and film genius Albert Brooks, this insightful and fascinating...
- 3/26/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
J.K. Simmons has rounded out the cast for Jason Reitman’s delve into behind-the-scenes happenings of the opening night of ‘SNL’ in ‘SNL 1975’.
Billy Bryk (Friendship), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) and Mcabe Gregg (Teenage Badass) have also joined the cast.
Simmons is set to take on the role of comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
Also in news – Benedict Cumberbatch stars in first look images for ‘Eric’
The latest group of actors join the already cast Gabriel Labelle who leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber.
The script for the project is penned by Reitman and Gil Kenan.
Billy Bryk (Friendship), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) and Mcabe Gregg (Teenage Badass) have also joined the cast.
Simmons is set to take on the role of comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
Also in news – Benedict Cumberbatch stars in first look images for ‘Eric’
The latest group of actors join the already cast Gabriel Labelle who leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber.
The script for the project is penned by Reitman and Gil Kenan.
- 3/26/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.