Bob Tischler, the writer and producer known for his work on Saturday Night Live, has died. He was 78.
The former SNL head writer, who is largely credited with helping revive the NBC sketch comedy show after its infamously panned 1980-81 season, died on July 13 at his home in Bodega Bay, California.
His son Zeke told The New York Times that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Born June 12, 1946 in Englewood, New Jersey, Tischler attended Ithaca and Franconia Colleges in the 1960s before working as a sound engineer in radio and television.
After working together on a radio ad, Christopher Guest recommended him to National Lampoon, for which he produced the albums Radio Dinner (1972), Gold Turkey (1975) and That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick (1977), as well as The National Lampoon Radio Hour in 1973.
Saturday Night Live Producer Dick Ebersol, writers Bob Tischler and Michael O’Donoghue and improvisation expert Del Close.
The former SNL head writer, who is largely credited with helping revive the NBC sketch comedy show after its infamously panned 1980-81 season, died on July 13 at his home in Bodega Bay, California.
His son Zeke told The New York Times that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Born June 12, 1946 in Englewood, New Jersey, Tischler attended Ithaca and Franconia Colleges in the 1960s before working as a sound engineer in radio and television.
After working together on a radio ad, Christopher Guest recommended him to National Lampoon, for which he produced the albums Radio Dinner (1972), Gold Turkey (1975) and That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick (1977), as well as The National Lampoon Radio Hour in 1973.
Saturday Night Live Producer Dick Ebersol, writers Bob Tischler and Michael O’Donoghue and improvisation expert Del Close.
- 8/11/2024
- by Glenn Garner
- Deadline Film + TV
The official trailer for “Saturday Night,” the feature film adaptation about a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers who changed television – and culture – forever, has been released. The film tells the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live.”
Some familiar faces appearing in the film include Kim Matula, best known for her portrayal as Hope Logan on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” playing Weekend Update reporter Jane Curtin, “Teen Wolf” star Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin. Nicholas Braun plays a double role as Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman, Cory Michael Smith is Chevy Chase, Matt Wood takes on the role of John Belushi, and finally, Gabriel Labelle plays the show’s executive producer and creator, Lorne Michaels.
Directed by...
Some familiar faces appearing in the film include Kim Matula, best known for her portrayal as Hope Logan on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” playing Weekend Update reporter Jane Curtin, “Teen Wolf” star Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin. Nicholas Braun plays a double role as Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman, Cory Michael Smith is Chevy Chase, Matt Wood takes on the role of John Belushi, and finally, Gabriel Labelle plays the show’s executive producer and creator, Lorne Michaels.
Directed by...
- 8/10/2024
- by Errol Lewis
- Soap Opera Network
Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), John Belushi (Matt Wood) and Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien) in Saturday Night. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone
© 2024 Ctmg, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **All Images Are Property Of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc Have you seen the trailer for Saturday Night? It just dropped, and it’s full of laughs, chaos, and heart. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, the movie takes us back to 1975, right before the very first Saturday Night Live broadcast. Saturday Night dives into those crazy 90 minutes leading up to the show, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the young comedians and writers who were about to change TV forever. The trailer’s real-time countdown really amps up the excitement and tension as everyone scrambles to get ready for that iconic opening line: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” This film isn’t just about...
© 2024 Ctmg, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **All Images Are Property Of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc Have you seen the trailer for Saturday Night? It just dropped, and it’s full of laughs, chaos, and heart. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, the movie takes us back to 1975, right before the very first Saturday Night Live broadcast. Saturday Night dives into those crazy 90 minutes leading up to the show, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the young comedians and writers who were about to change TV forever. The trailer’s real-time countdown really amps up the excitement and tension as everyone scrambles to get ready for that iconic opening line: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” This film isn’t just about...
- 8/10/2024
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Sony Pictures has debuted the trailer for Jason Reitman’s ‘Saturday Night.’
At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever.
Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, the movie is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humour, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…
Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), and John Belushi (Matt Wood) in the Makeup Room in Saturday Night.
The movie stars Gabriel Labelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman,...
At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever.
Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, the movie is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humour, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…
Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), and John Belushi (Matt Wood) in the Makeup Room in Saturday Night.
The movie stars Gabriel Labelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman,...
- 8/9/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
In „Saturday Night“ blickt Regisseur Jason Reitman hinter die Kulissen der ersten Folge der NBC-Kultshow „Saturday Night Live“. Jetzt wurde der Trailer veröffentlicht.
Exakt 49 Jahre nach Ausstrahlung der ersten Folge der NBC-Kultshow „Saturday Night Live“ startet „Saturday Night“ am 11. Oktober in den US-Kinos. Jason Reitman, der zusammen mit Gil Kenan auf der Basis von Interviews mit noch lebenden Cast- und Crewmitgliedern der ersten „SNL“-Ausgabe auch das Drehbuch geschrieben hat, blickt darin hinter die Kulissen der „SNL“-Premierenausgabe.
In Rollen ehemaliger Ensemble-Mitglieder von „Saturday Night Live“ sind u.a. Dylan O’Brien (Dan Aykroyd), Lamorne Morris (Garrett Morris), Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase), Matt Wood (John Belushi), Ella Hunt (Gilda Radner), Emily Fairn (Laraine Newman) und Kim Matula (Jane Curtin) geschlüpft.
Exakt 49 Jahre nach Ausstrahlung der ersten Folge der NBC-Kultshow „Saturday Night Live“ startet „Saturday Night“ am 11. Oktober in den US-Kinos. Jason Reitman, der zusammen mit Gil Kenan auf der Basis von Interviews mit noch lebenden Cast- und Crewmitgliedern der ersten „SNL“-Ausgabe auch das Drehbuch geschrieben hat, blickt darin hinter die Kulissen der „SNL“-Premierenausgabe.
In Rollen ehemaliger Ensemble-Mitglieder von „Saturday Night Live“ sind u.a. Dylan O’Brien (Dan Aykroyd), Lamorne Morris (Garrett Morris), Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase), Matt Wood (John Belushi), Ella Hunt (Gilda Radner), Emily Fairn (Laraine Newman) und Kim Matula (Jane Curtin) geschlüpft.
- 8/9/2024
- by Jochen Müller
- Spot - Media & Film
Jason Reitman is ready to go live from New York.
On Thursday, Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Reitman’s upcoming drama “Saturday Night,” Reitman’s new film about the chaos and creativity that went into getting the venerable sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” on the air for the first time. “Saturday Night” debuts in theaters on October 11, 49 years to the day “SNL” debuted on NBC.
Here’s the synopsis of the film, provided by Sony:
At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count...
On Thursday, Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Reitman’s upcoming drama “Saturday Night,” Reitman’s new film about the chaos and creativity that went into getting the venerable sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” on the air for the first time. “Saturday Night” debuts in theaters on October 11, 49 years to the day “SNL” debuted on NBC.
Here’s the synopsis of the film, provided by Sony:
At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count...
- 8/8/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
"We're 90 minutes of live television by a group of 20-year-olds who have never made anything. Did you ever stop and wonder why they said yes? A counterculture show starring total unknowns with zero narrative and even less structure. They want you to fail."
That's how producer Dick Ebersol (played by Cooper Hoffman of "Licorice Pizza") describes the comedic experiment that was "Saturday Night Live" in the first trailer for Jason Reitman's new movie "Saturday Night." The film chronicles all the chaos, fighting, drama, and hilarity that unfolded behind the scenes before the premiere of what would become one of the most iconic comedy shows of all time.
When Vanity Fair debuted a first look at "Saturday Night" earlier this week, Reitman described it as a comedy-thriller where time was the villain, and that's exactly what we get in the trailer you can watch above. There's a literal ticking clock...
That's how producer Dick Ebersol (played by Cooper Hoffman of "Licorice Pizza") describes the comedic experiment that was "Saturday Night Live" in the first trailer for Jason Reitman's new movie "Saturday Night." The film chronicles all the chaos, fighting, drama, and hilarity that unfolded behind the scenes before the premiere of what would become one of the most iconic comedy shows of all time.
When Vanity Fair debuted a first look at "Saturday Night" earlier this week, Reitman described it as a comedy-thriller where time was the villain, and that's exactly what we get in the trailer you can watch above. There's a literal ticking clock...
- 8/8/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Live from New York! It’s the Saturday Night trailer! Steel yourselves for a chaotic evening of unpredictability, unprofessionalism, and rampant consumption of sensory-altering substances because Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle) hopes to make miracles happen on the sketch variety show’s opening night.
In Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night trailer, Labelle’s Lorne Michaels scrambles to get his show on the road in the face of impending failure. Between battling Rockafella Center security, being at odds with Mbc programming higher-up David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), and trying to keep his cast from killing each other, Michaels faces an uphill battle of wills to launch what eventually becomes an institution among television programming.
Saturday Night explores the evening of October 11, 1975, when “a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. SNL 1975 is the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the moments leading up to...
In Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night trailer, Labelle’s Lorne Michaels scrambles to get his show on the road in the face of impending failure. Between battling Rockafella Center security, being at odds with Mbc programming higher-up David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), and trying to keep his cast from killing each other, Michaels faces an uphill battle of wills to launch what eventually becomes an institution among television programming.
Saturday Night explores the evening of October 11, 1975, when “a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. SNL 1975 is the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the moments leading up to...
- 8/8/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is giving us our first look at the upcoming film Saturday Night (fka SNL 1975), writer/director Jason Reitman’s (Juno, Up in the Air) movie about Saturday Night Live‘s first-ever taping.
More from TVLineSteve Martin Officially Declines SNL's Offer to Play VP Candidate Tim Walz: 'I'd Be Struggling'St. Denis Medical Trailer: Meet the Hapless Health Care Workers of NBC's New Hospital ComedySteve Martin Jokes About Tim Walz Likeness Amid Calls for Him to Play VP Candidate on SNL
The film takes place on Oct. 11, 1975 — and,...
Sony Pictures Entertainment is giving us our first look at the upcoming film Saturday Night (fka SNL 1975), writer/director Jason Reitman’s (Juno, Up in the Air) movie about Saturday Night Live‘s first-ever taping.
More from TVLineSteve Martin Officially Declines SNL's Offer to Play VP Candidate Tim Walz: 'I'd Be Struggling'St. Denis Medical Trailer: Meet the Hapless Health Care Workers of NBC's New Hospital ComedySteve Martin Jokes About Tim Walz Likeness Amid Calls for Him to Play VP Candidate on SNL
The film takes place on Oct. 11, 1975 — and,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, filmmaker Jason Reitman is bringing it back to the night when it all began. With his new film Saturday Night, Reitman chronicles the events leading up the events of SNL’s very first episode on October 11th, 1975. Watch the newly revealed trailer below.
The film’s star-studded ensemble cast features Gabriel Labelle as SNL creator Lorne Michaels; Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd; Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris; Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase; Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner; Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman; Kim Matula as Jane Curtin; Matt Wood as John Belushi; and Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson.
Other cast members include Cooper Hoffman as NBC head Dick Ebersol; Rachel Sennott as SNL writer and Michael’s wife Rosie Shuster; Matthew Rhys as George Carlin; Jon Batiste as Billy Preston; Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page; J.K Simmons...
The film’s star-studded ensemble cast features Gabriel Labelle as SNL creator Lorne Michaels; Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd; Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris; Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase; Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner; Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman; Kim Matula as Jane Curtin; Matt Wood as John Belushi; and Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson.
Other cast members include Cooper Hoffman as NBC head Dick Ebersol; Rachel Sennott as SNL writer and Michael’s wife Rosie Shuster; Matthew Rhys as George Carlin; Jon Batiste as Billy Preston; Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page; J.K Simmons...
- 8/8/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Saturday Night from director Jason Reitman..
At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…
The film stars (in order of appearance): Gabriel Labelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys and J.K. Simmons. Also rounding out the ensemble cast...
At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…
The film stars (in order of appearance): Gabriel Labelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys and J.K. Simmons. Also rounding out the ensemble cast...
- 8/8/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The first trailer for Saturday Night, about the first broadcast of NBC’s SNL, has just debuted online!
The film features a huge ensemble cast portraying comedy greats like John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and more.
Head inside to watch…
Gabriel Labelle takes on the role of SNL head Lorne Michaels while Cooper Hoffman stars as NBC executive Dick Ebersol.
The cast also includes Dylan O’Brien (as Dan Aykroyd), Lamorne Morris (as Garrett Morris), Cory Michael Smith (as Chevy Chase), Matt Wood (as John Belushi), Ella Hunt (as Gilda Radner), Emily Fairn (as Laraine Newman) and Kim Matula (as Jane Curtin).
Other stars include Willem Dafoe (as David Tebet), Nicholas Braun (as Jim Henson), Matthew Rhys (as George Carlin), Kaia Gerber (as Jacqueline Carlin), J.K. Simmons (as Milton Berle), Jon Batiste (as Billy Preston), Andrew Barth Feldman (as Neil Levy), Naomi McPherson (as Janis Ian) and Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page.
The film features a huge ensemble cast portraying comedy greats like John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and more.
Head inside to watch…
Gabriel Labelle takes on the role of SNL head Lorne Michaels while Cooper Hoffman stars as NBC executive Dick Ebersol.
The cast also includes Dylan O’Brien (as Dan Aykroyd), Lamorne Morris (as Garrett Morris), Cory Michael Smith (as Chevy Chase), Matt Wood (as John Belushi), Ella Hunt (as Gilda Radner), Emily Fairn (as Laraine Newman) and Kim Matula (as Jane Curtin).
Other stars include Willem Dafoe (as David Tebet), Nicholas Braun (as Jim Henson), Matthew Rhys (as George Carlin), Kaia Gerber (as Jacqueline Carlin), J.K. Simmons (as Milton Berle), Jon Batiste (as Billy Preston), Andrew Barth Feldman (as Neil Levy), Naomi McPherson (as Janis Ian) and Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page.
- 8/8/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The debut night for Saturday Night Live was no walk in the park, as seen in the trailer for Jason Reitman’s forthcoming movie about the NBC sketch show’s origins.
Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Saturday Night ahead of its Oct. 11 theatrical release. Reitman helmed the feature that focuses on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to SNL’s premiere broadcast that aired Oct. 11, 1975.
The trailer highlights the chaos that transpired over the course of the final 90 minutes prior to the start of that first-ever episode. This includes a tense exchange between series creator Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel Labelle) and NBC executive Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman).
Ebersol says in the footage, “Lorne, 90 minutes of live television by a group of 20-year-olds who have never made anything? Do you every stop and wonder why they said yes [to] a counterculture show starring total unknowns, with zero narrative and even less structure?...
Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Saturday Night ahead of its Oct. 11 theatrical release. Reitman helmed the feature that focuses on the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to SNL’s premiere broadcast that aired Oct. 11, 1975.
The trailer highlights the chaos that transpired over the course of the final 90 minutes prior to the start of that first-ever episode. This includes a tense exchange between series creator Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel Labelle) and NBC executive Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman).
Ebersol says in the footage, “Lorne, 90 minutes of live television by a group of 20-year-olds who have never made anything? Do you every stop and wonder why they said yes [to] a counterculture show starring total unknowns, with zero narrative and even less structure?...
- 8/8/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Live from New York, it’s the first Saturday night! The trailer for Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” has been released, and with it comes a nerve-wracking look at the chaotic 90 minutes that led up to the first “SNL” broadcast. Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the screenplay together.
The trailer for the film finds SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels, played by “The Fabelmans” breakout Gabriel Labelle, fighting tooth and nail to get the show off the ground smoothly. It doesn’t seem to be going well. Standing in his way are unpredictable cast members and nagging studio executives. At one point Michaels yells with passion: “NBC is lucky enough to have something as relevant as this show!”
The first broadcast of “SNL” took place on Oct. 11, 1975. The episode was hosted by comedian George Carlin and featured musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian. Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin,...
The trailer for the film finds SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels, played by “The Fabelmans” breakout Gabriel Labelle, fighting tooth and nail to get the show off the ground smoothly. It doesn’t seem to be going well. Standing in his way are unpredictable cast members and nagging studio executives. At one point Michaels yells with passion: “NBC is lucky enough to have something as relevant as this show!”
The first broadcast of “SNL” took place on Oct. 11, 1975. The episode was hosted by comedian George Carlin and featured musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian. Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
While we wait for the 50th season of "Saturday Night Live" to begin, complete with Maya Rudolph returning as Vice President Kamala Harris, another era of the late night sketch comedy series will soon be getting the spotlight too. Jason Reitman, director of "Juno" and "Up in the Air," is digging back into the annals of comedy history with his latest cinematic effort, "Saturday Night." The film will chronicle the relatively short window of time leading up to the October 1975 premiere of "Saturday Night Live," though the series wouldn't debut with that full title, premiering only as "Saturday Night."
"Saturday Night," described as a "comedy-thriller" by Reitman himself, promises to dig into all the behind-the-scenes chaos and drama that led to the breakthrough live comedy experiment that would become a late night staple and spawn some of the biggest names in comedy, starting with the Not Ready for Primetime Players like Dan Aykroyd,...
"Saturday Night," described as a "comedy-thriller" by Reitman himself, promises to dig into all the behind-the-scenes chaos and drama that led to the breakthrough live comedy experiment that would become a late night staple and spawn some of the biggest names in comedy, starting with the Not Ready for Primetime Players like Dan Aykroyd,...
- 8/7/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
It was one of the biggest nights of Marcello Hernández’s career — and he had no idea where he was going.
On a Friday evening in November 2022, the then-25-year-old comedian, recently added to the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” had just wrapped rehearsal with the week’s host, Dave Chappelle. Hernández was booked to open for Jo Koy at Madison Square Garden later that night, but as he touched the app on his phone to order an Uber, he realized he hadn’t asked an important question: How do you get inside the arena?
“I was like, ‘Hey, Dave, do you know the entrance to Madison Square Garden?’” he recalls. “Dave goes, ‘You’re gonna take an Uber to Madison Square Garden?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, what’s wrong with that?’ He’s like, ‘There’s 22 entrances to Madison Square Garden. You’re never gonna get in.’”
Chappelle made a call,...
On a Friday evening in November 2022, the then-25-year-old comedian, recently added to the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” had just wrapped rehearsal with the week’s host, Dave Chappelle. Hernández was booked to open for Jo Koy at Madison Square Garden later that night, but as he touched the app on his phone to order an Uber, he realized he hadn’t asked an important question: How do you get inside the arena?
“I was like, ‘Hey, Dave, do you know the entrance to Madison Square Garden?’” he recalls. “Dave goes, ‘You’re gonna take an Uber to Madison Square Garden?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, what’s wrong with that?’ He’s like, ‘There’s 22 entrances to Madison Square Garden. You’re never gonna get in.’”
Chappelle made a call,...
- 8/7/2024
- by Rachel Seo
- Variety Film + TV
A few months ago, I wrote an article listing ten movies that – despite being well known – were difficult to find (legally) on any streaming service or even on disc. Those titles ranged from Ron Howard’s Cocoon to movies like Dawn of the Dead (the original). In the comments, many of our readers chimed in with their two cents on films they’ve found difficult to find over the years, so here are a few more challenging-to-find flicks, some of which may surprise you.
Panic Room:
The fact that David Fincher’s Panic Room has never been issued on Blu-ray blows me away. It’s been announced a few times, but a physical release never seems to happen (although you can stream it in HD pretty easily). What gives? You’d think the fact that it has Fincher’s name on it, and stars Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker,...
Panic Room:
The fact that David Fincher’s Panic Room has never been issued on Blu-ray blows me away. It’s been announced a few times, but a physical release never seems to happen (although you can stream it in HD pretty easily). What gives? You’d think the fact that it has Fincher’s name on it, and stars Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker,...
- 8/6/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
The history of one of New York City’s most vibrant havens for musicians and artists — from Dave Van Ronk, Sonny Rollins and Bob Dylan to Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega — will be chronicled in the new book, Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital, by Rolling Stone senior writer David Browne.
Out Sept. 17 via Hachette Books (and available to...
The history of one of New York City’s most vibrant havens for musicians and artists — from Dave Van Ronk, Sonny Rollins and Bob Dylan to Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega — will be chronicled in the new book, Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital, by Rolling Stone senior writer David Browne.
Out Sept. 17 via Hachette Books (and available to...
- 8/5/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
In 1977, Dolly Parton’s career was on enough of an upward trajectory that she was performing for audiences of celebrities. At a show in New York, a number of big names turned up to watch Parton sing. While Parton is confident in her abilities, she admitted that getting in front of this crowd was a daunting task.
Dolly Parton performed to an audience of celebrities at one concert
In 1977, Parton geared up to play three shows at New York’s Bottom Line. This was a big opportunity for her, as it gave her a chance to perform songs from her more pop-centric album New Harvest … First Gathering. Parton had been performing in front of audiences for years at this point, but the show in New York felt like a new frontier. It didn’t help that there were many highly recognizable faces in the audience.
Dolly Parton | Bettmann/Contributor via...
Dolly Parton performed to an audience of celebrities at one concert
In 1977, Parton geared up to play three shows at New York’s Bottom Line. This was a big opportunity for her, as it gave her a chance to perform songs from her more pop-centric album New Harvest … First Gathering. Parton had been performing in front of audiences for years at this point, but the show in New York felt like a new frontier. It didn’t help that there were many highly recognizable faces in the audience.
Dolly Parton | Bettmann/Contributor via...
- 8/4/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Lo, the enduring miracle of the film awards year. Just when things begin to look hopeless—and it was looking pretty bleak a month ago—intriguing, maybe even watchable, prospects suddenly sprout. The movies are like Osiris, that old Egyptian resurrection god: You just can’t keep ‘em down.
As August arrives, more than a few adult viewers, unattuned to the ongoing fantasy-and-animation boom, are now peeking around the corner at Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night Live origins story. The film was scheduled last week by Columbia Pictures for release on Oct. 11—the 49th anniversary of NBC’s first SNL broadcast, back in 1975.
As historical moments go, that may or may not impress the film Academy’s growing body of foreign-based Oscar voters. But for the domestic crowd, especially those in upper age brackets, the birth of an American comedy phenomenon, still alive some five decades later, is compelling.
As August arrives, more than a few adult viewers, unattuned to the ongoing fantasy-and-animation boom, are now peeking around the corner at Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night Live origins story. The film was scheduled last week by Columbia Pictures for release on Oct. 11—the 49th anniversary of NBC’s first SNL broadcast, back in 1975.
As historical moments go, that may or may not impress the film Academy’s growing body of foreign-based Oscar voters. But for the domestic crowd, especially those in upper age brackets, the birth of an American comedy phenomenon, still alive some five decades later, is compelling.
- 8/4/2024
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Punkie Johnson’s departure from Saturday Night Live this week is the latest evidence that, more often than not, stand-up comics have a hard time making the transition to sketch comedy. Bill Murray called it. “Nowadays there’s probably more stand-ups that end up on the show, sort of more individual guys, than there used to be,” he says in SNL oral history Live From New York. “They’re individually good, but they maybe don’t have that particular skill or training or as much experience in that area.”
“That area” is sketch comedy. That’s why so many of the show’s all-time great cast members — John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Kristin Wiig, Kenan Thompson and Bill Hader, to name a few — came to the show from a sketch comedy background, often trained at Second City or the Groundlings. In Murray’s view,...
“That area” is sketch comedy. That’s why so many of the show’s all-time great cast members — John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Kristin Wiig, Kenan Thompson and Bill Hader, to name a few — came to the show from a sketch comedy background, often trained at Second City or the Groundlings. In Murray’s view,...
- 8/2/2024
- Cracked
For the first few decades of Saturday Night Live, breaking out on the show was a ticket to movie stardom for comics like John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers and Will Ferrell. In the 2000s, the path led to Emmy Award-winning comedies for Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Andy Samberg. In recent years, however, the big reward for a long run on SNL seems to be a job as a game show host.
That payoff isn't quite the same as becoming one of the world's biggest movie stars, but here are seven SNL cast members who got to host quiz shows as a consolation prize…
1 Colin Jost: Pop Culture Jeopardy!
Fresh off of maiming himself as an Olympics surfing correspondent, Jost is adding game-show host duties to his SNL responsibilities. The new Prime Video show tells you everything you need to know in its title: it’s Jeopardy! for...
That payoff isn't quite the same as becoming one of the world's biggest movie stars, but here are seven SNL cast members who got to host quiz shows as a consolation prize…
1 Colin Jost: Pop Culture Jeopardy!
Fresh off of maiming himself as an Olympics surfing correspondent, Jost is adding game-show host duties to his SNL responsibilities. The new Prime Video show tells you everything you need to know in its title: it’s Jeopardy! for...
- 8/1/2024
- Cracked
Am 11. Oktober startete NBC die samstägliche Comedyshow „Saturday Night Live“. Exakt 49 Jahre später startet Jason Reitmans Spielfilm „Saturday Night“, der einen Blick hinter die Kulissen der ersten Show gewährt, in den US-Kinos.
Jason Reitman widmet sich in „Saturday Night“ der ersten Sendung der US-Kultshow „Saturday Night Live“ (Credit: Imago / APress)
Jason Reitmans Film über die erste Folge der Samstagnacht-nbc-Comedyshow „Saturday Night Live“ kommt am 11. Oktober, exakt 49 Jahre nach Ausstrahlung der Show, unter dem Titel „Saturday Night“ in die US-Kinos. Das gab Sony Pictures jetzt bekannt.
In seinem Film, zu dem er zusammen mit Gil Kenan auf Basis von Interviews mit den noch lebenden Cast- und Crewmitgliedern sowie Autoren der ersten „SNL“-Ausgabe auch das Drehbuch geschrieben hat, blickt Reitman hinter die Kulissen der ersten Ausgabe der US-Kultshow.
Den Schöpfer des Formats, Lorne Michaels, wird Gabriel Labelle spielen, die Rolle seiner Frau und ehemaligen „SNL“-Autorin Rosie Shuster übernimmt Rachel Sennott,...
Jason Reitman widmet sich in „Saturday Night“ der ersten Sendung der US-Kultshow „Saturday Night Live“ (Credit: Imago / APress)
Jason Reitmans Film über die erste Folge der Samstagnacht-nbc-Comedyshow „Saturday Night Live“ kommt am 11. Oktober, exakt 49 Jahre nach Ausstrahlung der Show, unter dem Titel „Saturday Night“ in die US-Kinos. Das gab Sony Pictures jetzt bekannt.
In seinem Film, zu dem er zusammen mit Gil Kenan auf Basis von Interviews mit den noch lebenden Cast- und Crewmitgliedern sowie Autoren der ersten „SNL“-Ausgabe auch das Drehbuch geschrieben hat, blickt Reitman hinter die Kulissen der ersten Ausgabe der US-Kultshow.
Den Schöpfer des Formats, Lorne Michaels, wird Gabriel Labelle spielen, die Rolle seiner Frau und ehemaligen „SNL“-Autorin Rosie Shuster übernimmt Rachel Sennott,...
- 7/31/2024
- by Jochen Müller
- Spot - Media & Film
Jason Reitman’s forthcoming film about the inaugural broadcast of Saturday Night Live, titled Saturday Night, will be released in theaters Oct. 11 — the same date the late-night sketch show debuted in 1975.
The movie, distributed by Sony, was directed by Reitman and co-written by Reitman and his Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire collaborator Gil Kenan. The script draws from interviews the filmmakers did with cast members, writers, and crew members who worked on the first broadcast of SNL.
Saturday Night is, according an official synopsis, “based on the true story of what happened...
The movie, distributed by Sony, was directed by Reitman and co-written by Reitman and his Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire collaborator Gil Kenan. The script draws from interviews the filmmakers did with cast members, writers, and crew members who worked on the first broadcast of SNL.
Saturday Night is, according an official synopsis, “based on the true story of what happened...
- 7/31/2024
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
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 Saturday Night, a movie retelling the story of that night.
Related: Every ‘SNL’ Cast Member Over the Years Since 1975
The pic formerly known as SNL 1975, 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.
Some of the fun with Saturday Night is following as the...
Related: Every ‘SNL’ Cast Member Over the Years Since 1975
The pic formerly known as SNL 1975, 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.
Some of the fun with Saturday Night is following as the...
- 7/31/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jason Reitman’s movie about the inaugural broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” has been set for theatrical release on Oct. 11, 2024.
The release date is particularly significant since Oct. 11 is the same date the legendary comedy show — which will be launching its 50th season this fall — was first broadcast.
At 11:30 p.m. that night, the film’s official synopsis explains, “a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever.” The Sony movie, officially titled “Saturday Night,” is based on the true story of what happened behind the scene in the 90 minutes leading up to broadcast. “Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time to the famous words: ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!’
“Saturday Night” is directed by Reitman from a script he penned with his “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” co-writer Gil Kenan,...
The release date is particularly significant since Oct. 11 is the same date the legendary comedy show — which will be launching its 50th season this fall — was first broadcast.
At 11:30 p.m. that night, the film’s official synopsis explains, “a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever.” The Sony movie, officially titled “Saturday Night,” is based on the true story of what happened behind the scene in the 90 minutes leading up to broadcast. “Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time to the famous words: ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!’
“Saturday Night” is directed by Reitman from a script he penned with his “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” co-writer Gil Kenan,...
- 7/31/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Jason Reitman’s movie about the debut night of Saturday Night Live has an official title and a fall release date.
Sony Pictures announced Tuesday that Saturday Night is set to hit theaters Oct. 11, which marks the 49th anniversary of the NBC sketch series’ premiere that aired on that same night in 1975. Previously using the working title of SNL 1975, the film is getting a prime awards season release.
Reitman directs the 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.
Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the screenplay based on their interviews with living cast, writers and crew about the debut of the show that is heading into its 50th season. Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld and...
Sony Pictures announced Tuesday that Saturday Night is set to hit theaters Oct. 11, which marks the 49th anniversary of the NBC sketch series’ premiere that aired on that same night in 1975. Previously using the working title of SNL 1975, the film is getting a prime awards season release.
Reitman directs the 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.
Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the screenplay based on their interviews with living cast, writers and crew about the debut of the show that is heading into its 50th season. Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld and...
- 7/31/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Columbia Pictures said on Tuesday that Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s previously untitled ensemble about the launch of the celebrated American comedy sketch show, will get an October 11 awards corridor release in the US.
The film, previously known as SNL 75 denoting the year the show first aired on the NBC network, features Gabriel Labelle as Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris.
The cast includes Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons, Jon Batiste, Ella Hunt, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Naomi McPherson,...
The film, previously known as SNL 75 denoting the year the show first aired on the NBC network, features Gabriel Labelle as Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris.
The cast includes Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons, Jon Batiste, Ella Hunt, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Naomi McPherson,...
- 7/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
A filmmaker’s versatility is proved by the fact that he or she can never be boxed into any specific genre. In this regard, Steven Spielberg is the pioneer. From war dramas to sci-fi thrillers to intense biopics, the prolific director has shown that he is adept at creating magic and bringing any type of narrative to life.
Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg
Despite a decent box office collection, 1941 did not quite excite fans and critics across the country. The film’s screenwriter Bob Gale spoke to Yahoo Entertainment back in 2014 and elaborated on the reasons why the comedy failed to land with audiences. One of the key factors involved the paucity of time for the director to create a perfect final product.
It had been promoted and advertized to come out at Christmas 1979. I think if Steven had had another three or four more weeks in the editing room to work with the film,...
Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg
Despite a decent box office collection, 1941 did not quite excite fans and critics across the country. The film’s screenwriter Bob Gale spoke to Yahoo Entertainment back in 2014 and elaborated on the reasons why the comedy failed to land with audiences. One of the key factors involved the paucity of time for the director to create a perfect final product.
It had been promoted and advertized to come out at Christmas 1979. I think if Steven had had another three or four more weeks in the editing room to work with the film,...
- 7/30/2024
- by Sharanya Sankar
- FandomWire
There was no greater comedic wild man than John Belushi. A force on and off the screen, the guy stands as one of the most influential of his generation. And while we know this wasn’t always the best thing for others, his persona and charisma were unlike anything the world of entertainment had seen before. Tragically, Belushi himself would succumb to his addictions in 1982, but he still had a support system that wanted him to stick around forever, chiefly in Blues Brother-in-arms Dan Aykroyd.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Aykroyd remembered having to find the balance of keeping Belushi without being overbearing to the point he would turn on him. “I was pretty hands on and monitoring his behavior minute to minute — and then also letting the leash out a little bit, knowing that, if I pull too hard or resisted, he would head up into the trees. He’d be gone.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Aykroyd remembered having to find the balance of keeping Belushi without being overbearing to the point he would turn on him. “I was pretty hands on and monitoring his behavior minute to minute — and then also letting the leash out a little bit, knowing that, if I pull too hard or resisted, he would head up into the trees. He’d be gone.
- 7/30/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Chino Xl, the rapper whose bold lyricism and relentless fearlessness garnered both respect and controversy throughout his career, has died at the age of 50.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the family of the New York rapper, born Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, confirmed that he had died at his home on Sunday morning. “Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad,” his daughters wrote. “And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the family of the New York rapper, born Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, confirmed that he had died at his home on Sunday morning. “Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad,” his daughters wrote. “And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.
- 7/30/2024
- by Tomás Mier and Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
We’re obviously completely self-aware that we’re publishing this list the Monday after Deadpool & Wolverine made $205 million at the box office. That’s the whole point of being meta, right? Or if you want to get Merriam-Webster involved, something that “shows or suggests an explicit awareness of itself or oneself as a member of its category: cleverly self-referential.”
That said, when it comes to movies, this kind of self-awareness can cover a wide range of narrative devices. A character quietly acknowledging the audience can be meta. Other times, meta scenes can intentionally break apart a film’s reality. Meta doesn’t even necessarily need to be done for the sake of humor either, as plenty of movies — from Frederico Fellini’s 8½ to the horror thriller Funny Games — get meta without much humorous intention.
But for the purposes of this list, which Cracked writers Tim Grierson and Matt Solomon and...
That said, when it comes to movies, this kind of self-awareness can cover a wide range of narrative devices. A character quietly acknowledging the audience can be meta. Other times, meta scenes can intentionally break apart a film’s reality. Meta doesn’t even necessarily need to be done for the sake of humor either, as plenty of movies — from Frederico Fellini’s 8½ to the horror thriller Funny Games — get meta without much humorous intention.
But for the purposes of this list, which Cracked writers Tim Grierson and Matt Solomon and...
- 7/29/2024
- Cracked
As Dan Aykroyd reminds us in his enjoyable new Audible Original, Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, there was a moment in 1978 when his friend and collaborator John Belushi was at the center of a smash-hit album, movie, and TV show, all at once. The album in question was Briefcase Full of Blues, by the Blues Brothers, Aykroyd and Belushi’s band — who went from a fun side project to a powerhouse band with their own, now-legendary movie, 1980’s The Blues Brothers. (The movie, of course, was Animal House, and...
- 7/28/2024
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
In a 1979 interview shared for the first time as part of the Audible documentary, Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, John Belushi responds to criticism that the band was ripping off Black culture.
Soho Weekly News music critic Steve Bloom talked with Belushi about the backlash.
“It’s just weird, you know?” Belushi said. “Why would I do these things? The people watching me understand why I do it, and the band members do. The other people – there’s a certain amount of jealousy, I think, involved. … Why do I do what I do? First of all, it has nothing to do with ego, it has nothing to do with money, you know, or the need to be loved by an audience. I don’t have any of those feelings.”
He continued, “What the f— do these people think I am, anyway? I can’t f—ing understand why they would attack – see,...
Soho Weekly News music critic Steve Bloom talked with Belushi about the backlash.
“It’s just weird, you know?” Belushi said. “Why would I do these things? The people watching me understand why I do it, and the band members do. The other people – there’s a certain amount of jealousy, I think, involved. … Why do I do what I do? First of all, it has nothing to do with ego, it has nothing to do with money, you know, or the need to be loved by an audience. I don’t have any of those feelings.”
He continued, “What the f— do these people think I am, anyway? I can’t f—ing understand why they would attack – see,...
- 7/27/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
A never-before-heard 1979 interview John Belushi gave to music critic Steve Bloom of the Soho Weekly News has been released for the first time as part of the Audible audio documentary “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude” (via Entertainment Weekly). The interview, conducted three years before Belushi’s death in 1982, finds the comedian pushing back against critics of The Blues Brothers, the musical group Belushi and Dan Aykroyd founded in 1978. The group became popular due to their recurring sketch appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers.”
During the 1979 interview, Bloom read Belushi headlines from articles that criticized The Blues Brothers for being a group in which two white men were capitalizing off a music genre fundamentally tied to African American history and spearheaded by Black artists.
“It’s just weird, you know?” Belushi said in response to the critics. “Why would I do these things? The people...
During the 1979 interview, Bloom read Belushi headlines from articles that criticized The Blues Brothers for being a group in which two white men were capitalizing off a music genre fundamentally tied to African American history and spearheaded by Black artists.
“It’s just weird, you know?” Belushi said in response to the critics. “Why would I do these things? The people...
- 7/24/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Today we know the Blues Brothers as two of the most iconic Saturday Night Live characters in the show’s 50-year history and the stars of one of the finest comedies of the ‘80s. But you might be surprised to learn that they weren’t always given some lovin’, as some critics disapproved of the duo – that is, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi – for playing in a genre they had no business being involved with.
Basically, the core criticism was that white people shouldn’t be singing any version of the blues, a genre with direct ties to Black people in America’s Deep South. In a new Audible series chronicling the history of the band called Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, one recently unearthed interview from 1979 – one year before the movie came out – finds John Belushi approached about this very matter, to which he replied, “It’s just weird,...
Basically, the core criticism was that white people shouldn’t be singing any version of the blues, a genre with direct ties to Black people in America’s Deep South. In a new Audible series chronicling the history of the band called Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, one recently unearthed interview from 1979 – one year before the movie came out – finds John Belushi approached about this very matter, to which he replied, “It’s just weird,...
- 7/24/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Briefcase Full of Blues, the debut album from John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd performing as the Blues Brothers, went all the way to #1 on the Billboard charts. But critics weren’t necessarily kind to the effort — and not solely because Belushi and Aykroyd were less than accomplished bluesmen.
In Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, Aykroyd’s new Audible Original oral history, Belushi sounds off on such criticism. In an exclusive clip released to Entertainment Weekly, Belushi gets his blues briefs in a bunch during a 1979 interview with music critic Steve Bloom of the Soho Weekly News.
Bloom confronted Belushi with criticism from multiple sources about the very existence of the Blues Brothers. “I have this stuff in front of me,” the journalist says in the audio interview. “Daily News: ‘Can Belushi Sing the Whites?’ The Real Paper: ‘Why the Brothers Ain’t Got No Blues.’ How do you respond to all of this?...
In Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, Aykroyd’s new Audible Original oral history, Belushi sounds off on such criticism. In an exclusive clip released to Entertainment Weekly, Belushi gets his blues briefs in a bunch during a 1979 interview with music critic Steve Bloom of the Soho Weekly News.
Bloom confronted Belushi with criticism from multiple sources about the very existence of the Blues Brothers. “I have this stuff in front of me,” the journalist says in the audio interview. “Daily News: ‘Can Belushi Sing the Whites?’ The Real Paper: ‘Why the Brothers Ain’t Got No Blues.’ How do you respond to all of this?...
- 7/24/2024
- Cracked
Ready for a nonstop assault on your sports senses as media coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics begins this week? There’s no better way to stretch your comedy calves than this series of Saturday Night Live sketches sending up the ridiculous pomposity of the global competition.
Here are 10 sketches that will make you want to take a torch to the whole thing…
1 Little Chocolate Donuts
If you have to train like an elite athlete, do it the John Belushi way — with a cigarette and little chocolate donuts. They’ve got the sugar you need to get you going in the morning.
Play 2 Olga Korbut
Hey, modern-day SNL, take note — in the early days, a one-joke premise might be executed in about a minute of show time. And hey, it works better! Imagine that…
3 Synchronized Swimming
This Christopher Guest/Martin Short/Harry Shearer gem has been missing from YouTube for years,...
Here are 10 sketches that will make you want to take a torch to the whole thing…
1 Little Chocolate Donuts
If you have to train like an elite athlete, do it the John Belushi way — with a cigarette and little chocolate donuts. They’ve got the sugar you need to get you going in the morning.
Play 2 Olga Korbut
Hey, modern-day SNL, take note — in the early days, a one-joke premise might be executed in about a minute of show time. And hey, it works better! Imagine that…
3 Synchronized Swimming
This Christopher Guest/Martin Short/Harry Shearer gem has been missing from YouTube for years,...
- 7/24/2024
- Cracked
In the 1970s, Dolly Parton took the stage at a New York concert in front of an array of celebrities. Major musicians, actors, and artists eagerly waited to hear Parton perform. While Parton was her typical self onstage, cracking jokes and singing songs about her upbringing, at least one critic believed the act was overly calculated. Parton’s guitarist shared why it may have come across this way.
Dolly Parton’s guitarist said she was very nervous at a concert in New York
In 1977, Parton played three shows at New York’s Bottom Line to audiences that included people like Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, and John Belushi. The crowd adored her, but one critic for the New Times believed Parton was overly concerned with “capturing attention than on rewarding it.” Parton’s guitarist, Don Roth, thought this resulted from nerves.
“I can tell you one thing,” Roth said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash.
Dolly Parton’s guitarist said she was very nervous at a concert in New York
In 1977, Parton played three shows at New York’s Bottom Line to audiences that included people like Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, and John Belushi. The crowd adored her, but one critic for the New Times believed Parton was overly concerned with “capturing attention than on rewarding it.” Parton’s guitarist, Don Roth, thought this resulted from nerves.
“I can tell you one thing,” Roth said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash.
- 7/20/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Steven Spielberg, the master auteur, had somewhat of a crash course in the interdependent working relationship between a director and the studio quite early on in his career. Despite his natural expertise and ingrained talent for producing cinematic masterpieces, Spielberg is not entirely immune to box office failures.
Steven Spielberg on the sets of 1941 [Credit: Amblin]
The director of the aquatic thriller, Jaws, and sci-fi alien film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, had ridden the wave of success and glory for far too long to realize that without studio interference, a project can sometimes go downhill too. And Spielberg was quick to learn that on the evening of the premiere of 1941.
Steven Spielberg and His Radical New Hollywood Era
No studio production enters the final theatrical lineup without the absolute say-so of the higher-up execs. The Hollywood of today is entirely guided by the principle of equal collaboration between the suits and the creatives.
Steven Spielberg on the sets of 1941 [Credit: Amblin]
The director of the aquatic thriller, Jaws, and sci-fi alien film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, had ridden the wave of success and glory for far too long to realize that without studio interference, a project can sometimes go downhill too. And Spielberg was quick to learn that on the evening of the premiere of 1941.
Steven Spielberg and His Radical New Hollywood Era
No studio production enters the final theatrical lineup without the absolute say-so of the higher-up execs. The Hollywood of today is entirely guided by the principle of equal collaboration between the suits and the creatives.
- 7/16/2024
- by Diya Majumdar
- FandomWire
"Saturday Night Live" is a comedy institution that has been on the air for nearly a half-century. Soon, the series will be celebrating its milestone 50th season, which will include a star-studded anniversary celebration coming to NBC in February 2025. Even if you're one of those people who (wrongly) tells people that "SNL" isn't funny anymore, you can't deny that the late night sketch comedy series has cultivated some of the most brilliant comedic minds in modern Hollywood history -- whether it's the rough edges of live TV comedy innovation that came with the likes of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner in the 1970s or the off-kilter shenanigans of Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Chris Farley, and Adam Sandler in the '90s. (Even the troublesome 1980s years under the supervision of producer Dick Ebersol gave us Eddie Murphy and Martin Short.)
The late '90s into the...
The late '90s into the...
- 7/10/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Judith Belushi Pisano passed away on Friday night at the age of 73, survived by four children and six grandchildren, as well as three siblings, according to The Martha’s Vineyard Times. For comedy fans, Belushi Pisano is, of course, most famous for being the widow of John Belushi, her high school sweetheart, who died in 1982.
Belushi Pisano had a lot of engagement with her late husband’s legacy in the years following his death, penning multiple books on the subject, and even participating in the organization of a Blues Brothers-themed convention in the historic Old Joliet Prison. Not surprisingly, a whole lot of Crystal Head vodka was served.
Less well-known is the fact that Belushi Pisano briefly worked behind-the-scenes at Saturday Night Live. Very briefly, that is. Yeah, even the wife of one of the show’s most legendary cast members hated her experience writing for the long-running sketch show.
Belushi Pisano had a lot of engagement with her late husband’s legacy in the years following his death, penning multiple books on the subject, and even participating in the organization of a Blues Brothers-themed convention in the historic Old Joliet Prison. Not surprisingly, a whole lot of Crystal Head vodka was served.
Less well-known is the fact that Belushi Pisano briefly worked behind-the-scenes at Saturday Night Live. Very briefly, that is. Yeah, even the wife of one of the show’s most legendary cast members hated her experience writing for the long-running sketch show.
- 7/8/2024
- Cracked
Judy Belushi Pisano, the widow of John Belushi and a former actress and producer, has died. She was 73.
News of Pisano’s death was reported by The Mv Times, which covers Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent much of her later years. She died after a long battle with cancer, the publication noted. Belushi’s official social media accounts also shared the news on Instagram and Facebook.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our sweet Judy,” the posts began. “Her unwavering dedication and creative genius alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi gave birth to The Blues Brothers, a timeless testament to the power of music and laughter.”
Pisano was married to Belushi from 1973 until 1982, when he died from an overdose. She remarried in 1990 to Victor Pisano before filing for divorce in 2010.
“In the years following John’s passing in 1982, Judy honored his life and championed his legacy and Blues Brothers brand,...
News of Pisano’s death was reported by The Mv Times, which covers Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent much of her later years. She died after a long battle with cancer, the publication noted. Belushi’s official social media accounts also shared the news on Instagram and Facebook.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our sweet Judy,” the posts began. “Her unwavering dedication and creative genius alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi gave birth to The Blues Brothers, a timeless testament to the power of music and laughter.”
Pisano was married to Belushi from 1973 until 1982, when he died from an overdose. She remarried in 1990 to Victor Pisano before filing for divorce in 2010.
“In the years following John’s passing in 1982, Judy honored his life and championed his legacy and Blues Brothers brand,...
- 7/6/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Judy Belushi-Pisano, who was married to comedian and actor John Belushi, died on July 5. She was 73. She had cancer, according to Mv Times. The news was shared via a post shared on John Belushi’s official Instagram page run by Judy and the Belushi Estate. “Today, our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our sweet Judy. Her unwavering dedication and creative genius alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi gave birth to The Blues Brothers, a timeless testament to the power of music and laughter,” reads the caption. “In the years following John’s passing in 1982, Judy honored his life and championed his legacy and Blues Brothers brand,” the message continues. “As we bid farewell, we pledge to continue her work, ensuring that John’s legacy, and the Blues Brothers will never fade. There was no one like her. Judy made everyone feel loved. She was nonjudgmental, light, funny and pure.
- 7/6/2024
- TV Insider
SNL alum and one-half of The Blues Brothers, John Belushi’s widow, Judy Belushi-Pisano, has passed away at the age of 73. She was his beloved wife when he died of an accidental drug overdose in 1982. Now, she has died but what is the cause? Keep reading for more details.
John Belushi’s Widow, Judy, Dead At 73
He may have been deceased for over forty years but John Belushi has an incredible legacy. He was known for a plethora of characters on SNL as well as being on half of The Blues Brothers. In fact, he exited SNL along with Dan Aykroyd in 1978 to film the movie under the same name. Additionally, Belushi was known for National Lampoon’s Animal House. His timing solidified him as a comedic actor and icon who was unmatched. Sadly, in 1982, he was given a combination of heroin and cocaine which led to his untimely death. Belushi...
John Belushi’s Widow, Judy, Dead At 73
He may have been deceased for over forty years but John Belushi has an incredible legacy. He was known for a plethora of characters on SNL as well as being on half of The Blues Brothers. In fact, he exited SNL along with Dan Aykroyd in 1978 to film the movie under the same name. Additionally, Belushi was known for National Lampoon’s Animal House. His timing solidified him as a comedic actor and icon who was unmatched. Sadly, in 1982, he was given a combination of heroin and cocaine which led to his untimely death. Belushi...
- 7/6/2024
- by Amanda Lauren
- TV Shows Ace
Judy Belushi Pisano, the widow of legendary comedian John Belushi who spent decades preserving and protecting his legacy, died Friday after a long battle with cancer. She was 73.
News of Pisano’s passing was reported Saturday by the Mv Times news outlet covering Martha’s Vineyard, where Pisano spent most of her later years. Her death was also confirmed on the official John Belushi Instagram account.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by John Adam Belushi (@itsjohnbelushi)
Pisano was married to Belushi, the larger-than-life star of “Saturday Night Live,” “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers,” from 1973 until his death from an overdose in 1982. The two met while in high school in Wheaton, Illinois. Pisano was there for his meteoric rise, and she endured the worst of Belushi’s infidelity and addiction struggles, yet she devoted much of her life to honoring his memory. She was a producer on...
News of Pisano’s passing was reported Saturday by the Mv Times news outlet covering Martha’s Vineyard, where Pisano spent most of her later years. Her death was also confirmed on the official John Belushi Instagram account.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by John Adam Belushi (@itsjohnbelushi)
Pisano was married to Belushi, the larger-than-life star of “Saturday Night Live,” “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers,” from 1973 until his death from an overdose in 1982. The two met while in high school in Wheaton, Illinois. Pisano was there for his meteoric rise, and she endured the worst of Belushi’s infidelity and addiction struggles, yet she devoted much of her life to honoring his memory. She was a producer on...
- 7/6/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Judy Belushi-Pisano, who was married to comedian John Belushi and had her own career as an actress and producer, has died at 73.
Her death was acknowledged on John Belushi’s official social media and by friends.
The social media posts also saluted Judy’s involvement with The Blues Brothers, which Judy was developing into a television series, according to IMDb.
No cause of death has been revealed.
Judy met her future husband during high school in Wheaton, Illinois. They married in 1976 and were together until his death in 1982 from a drug overdose.
She later married film producer Victor Pisano in 1990.
Deadline Related Video
I just watched the documentary of my brother coming out this Sunday on Showtime. It ripped my heart out for Judy who I love so dearly, it ripped my heart out for my family who still deals with the ripples from this, and it ripped my heart out for John.
Her death was acknowledged on John Belushi’s official social media and by friends.
The social media posts also saluted Judy’s involvement with The Blues Brothers, which Judy was developing into a television series, according to IMDb.
No cause of death has been revealed.
Judy met her future husband during high school in Wheaton, Illinois. They married in 1976 and were together until his death in 1982 from a drug overdose.
She later married film producer Victor Pisano in 1990.
Deadline Related Video
I just watched the documentary of my brother coming out this Sunday on Showtime. It ripped my heart out for Judy who I love so dearly, it ripped my heart out for my family who still deals with the ripples from this, and it ripped my heart out for John.
- 7/6/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
This July, Prime Video is bringing you a lot of entertainment with a sequel of a beloved film like My Spy titled The Eternal City and an animated sequel series to the comedy gold, which was the Sausage Party film titled Foodtopia. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Prime Video this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 7 best films that are coming to Prime Video in July 2024 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.
Animal House (July 1)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
National Lampoon’s Animal House is a classic comedy-drama film directed by John Landis from a screenplay co-written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller. Inspired by National Lampoon stories written by Matty Simmons and Ivan Reitman, the 1978 film follows the story of freshmen Larry and Kent as they join a troublemaking...
Animal House (July 1)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
National Lampoon’s Animal House is a classic comedy-drama film directed by John Landis from a screenplay co-written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller. Inspired by National Lampoon stories written by Matty Simmons and Ivan Reitman, the 1978 film follows the story of freshmen Larry and Kent as they join a troublemaking...
- 7/5/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Becoming an adult means realizing that Charles Grodin is a comedic genius, and not merely a cranky old sourpuss who hates adorable St. Bernards.
The late actor/comedian/writer’s knack for postmodern hijinks was evident in many of his late-night talk show appearances, such as when he brought his attorney with him to Late Night with David Letterman, out of concerns that the host had committed libel against him.
But the best example of Grodin turning a standard guest spot into a high-concept comedic bit occurred when he hosted Saturday Night Live for the first and only time.
Grodin’s 1977 episode began with Gilda Radner, John Belushi and Garrett Morris behind the scenes, getting ready for the show, and complaining that “this Chuck Grodin guy” had missed most of the rehearsals. ”He doesn’t smoke dope, he’s just not one of us,” Belushi argued.
When Grodin delivered his monologue shortly thereafter,...
The late actor/comedian/writer’s knack for postmodern hijinks was evident in many of his late-night talk show appearances, such as when he brought his attorney with him to Late Night with David Letterman, out of concerns that the host had committed libel against him.
But the best example of Grodin turning a standard guest spot into a high-concept comedic bit occurred when he hosted Saturday Night Live for the first and only time.
Grodin’s 1977 episode began with Gilda Radner, John Belushi and Garrett Morris behind the scenes, getting ready for the show, and complaining that “this Chuck Grodin guy” had missed most of the rehearsals. ”He doesn’t smoke dope, he’s just not one of us,” Belushi argued.
When Grodin delivered his monologue shortly thereafter,...
- 7/4/2024
- Cracked
The inimitable Eddie Murphy burst onto the Hollywood scene at the tender age of 21 with his breakout role in Walter Hill‘s 1982 film, 48 Hrs. Prior to this, Murphy had already made waves as the youngest cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) at just 19 years old, showcasing his impressive comedic chops alongside legendary talent like John Belushi and Bill Murray. But it was his star-making turn in 48 Hrs. that cemented his status as a rising star, with his charismatic performance opposite Nick Nolte earning him widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. This was just the beginning...
- 7/1/2024
- by Matthew C. F
- TVovermind.com
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