Summer News Update: Cast Rundown

Summer is upon us, and SNL news is rolling in slow as expected.  There hasn't been much talk about new cast members or more departures over the last two weeks, but several cast members have been in the news.

Andy Samberg has been active recently, promoting his new comedy That's My Boy, starring Samberg and Adam Sandler.  Sandler plays Todd, a soon-to-be-married son of Sandler's character Donny.  Only a few reviews are in, but CBS News claims that "this father-son story is just more of the same gross, lazy comedy that Sandler's been doing for years." On Conan Wednesday night, Samberg discussed how playing Sandler's son is his dream role and performed his angry Rahm Emmanuel impression to the Chicago audience. Samberg is also set to begin filming the BBC 3 show Cuckoo this summer. In this six-part sitcom, Samberg will play a self-appointed ninja and slacker with New Age ideas named Cuckoo who marries a woman on her college gap-year. The show will air this fall. 

Fred Armisen recently launched his youtube channel called "Be Serious for 30 seconds." He has prompted viewers to make 30 second dramatic videos and has received bountiful viewer responses. 

Throwback style for a classic movies enthusiast. 

Last week, Jason Sudeikis was featured in a Rolling Stone article where he discusses working at SNL and his upbringing.  Sudeikis doesn't mention if or when he is leaving the show but he does reminisce about what he will miss most. "The people, the process, the parties – those are the three p's I'll miss the most," he says.  His newest movie role is a political consultant in The Campaign starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. The movie is set to drop August 10.  Sudeikis will also be a voice actor in Blue Sky’s 3D CG-animated movie Epic set to release May 2013.

Bill Hader will return to host Essentials Jr., a Turner Classic Movies series featuring classic family films.  In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Hader recalls how watching movies with his family got him interested in classic movies.   Hader played the role of Andy Warhol in the recently released Men in Black III. He is also signed on to the 2013 comedy The To Do List alongside Andy Samberg. 

“A long way to go to prove you’re wearing
a clean pair of underwear.”  

 Seth Meyers hosted the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and from what I've read he was hilarious.  Supposedly Meyers emerged onstage in a ridiculous Marc Jacobs lace shirtdress and boxer shorts, an outfit worn by Jacobs himself at this year's Met Gala.  Meyers also did a comedy show to benefit the Bedford (NH) Teachers Foundation. His mother teaches Spanish in the public school system, and Seth attended the schools as a child.

Jay Pharoah is doing comedy seemingly nonstop this summer, appearing on TV, radio, and doing many live shows across the country.  His most notable appearance has been on ESPN with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless - watch him crack up the entire studio. Pharoah is currently doing stand up comedy in North Carolina and will reach venues in Kentucky and Florida later this summer. Check out his twitter feed his updates on his whereabouts (I will post a Twitter Guide for the cast soon).

Abby Elliott just started a web series called The Assistant on Broadway Video's channel Above Average.  Elliott plays both an eccentric employee and her newly hired assistant.  

 

Stay tuned for more summer updates.

Andy Samberg Leaves SNL After Seven Seasons

According to The New York Times, USA Today and others, Andy Samberg is officially leaving the Saturday Night Live cast. Although this was not a surprise given recent rumors, this loss definitely hurts. Samberg's digital shorts, often created with the help of Jorma Taccone and Akiva Shaffer, have been consistently funny and always edgy and creative.  Samberg fit in at SNL from the very beginning.  His performances were defined by his unbridled enthusiasm and natural comedic timing. Many people will remember Andy by his Digital Shorts Lazy Sunday, I'm On A Boat, and Jizz in My Pants.  These shorts were masterful, innovative, and hilarious. However, since Andy dropped a whopping 100 digital shorts, certain skits are forgotten over time.  I want to devote part of this post to remember some of Andy's less famous shorts.


People Getting Punched Right Before Eating is a classic in my book.  The idea here is simple yet somehow hilarious. I love how Andy's victims catch on to his plan and fight back against Andy's shenanigans.  Andy is then forced to brutally murder his resisting victim. A zombie battle ensues and the audience is left with the message "Believe in Your Dreams." Random? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely.

Samberg's comedic creativity was unmatched

Two Worlds Collide is ridiculously funny on so many levels. In case you missed the premise of the song here it is: While digging through a dumpster, Kenan Thompson finds a red-haired wig and strolls over to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Andy Samberg mistakes Kenan for country singer Reba McEntire and they go on to produce music while having sex on the side. Perhaps the funniest part is that Andy happily acknowledges that Reba has a penis while still adamantly asserting that his lover is the real Reba McEntire.  The song is driven by a catchy electronic beat, and is highlighted by Andy's narrative of unlikely love born of two worlds. 


Andy and his team push the envelope even more with their bizarre and memorable Andy's Dad. The plot is simple but totally unexpected. Basically, over the course of the short, Jonah Hill explains to Andy that he is in a romantic relationship with Andy's 57-year-old father.  Andy draws uncomfortable details from Jonah, and later we find out that Bill Hader has also been physically involved with Andy's father.  Andy was never afraid to venture into the new comedic goldmine of father-friend sexual relationships. 


Andy Walking is an obscure short that puts a twist on Jay Leno's signature skit Jaywalking. Andy is an unintelligent show host who asks easy questions to real pedestrians.  Unlike in Jaywalking, Andy is dumb compared to the pedestrians but insists he is right. Andy cracks up at every correct answer leaving his subjects in utter confusion. Ridiculous and unexpected, Andy Walking deserves more recognition.


These are only a few of Samberg's many classic digital shorts and sketches. Samberg's portfolio is immense and will almost certainly be documented in a Best Of collection. Andy led a distinguished career along with Kristen Wiig, and they both will be missed come season 38.