SNL Expands Election Coverage

(NEWSER) - Fans of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” segment won't have to wait for the weekend to get their update, as NBC plans to air up to 13 primetime, half-hour episodes on Thursday nights next season, the New York Times reports. Seth Meyers will reprise his usual hosting gig, though "Update" vets Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will likely be tapped for guest appearances. More»

Reprised role just a cameo for new mom

(NEWSER) - Amy Poehler made a surprise return to Saturday Night Live as Hillary Clinton, reports TV Guide, but the appearance was only a cameo. With Darrell Hammond at her side as husband Bill, Poehler lampooned Clinton's appointment as secretary of state in an opening sketch. The comedienne gave birth 6 weeks ago and is working on an NBC sitcom. More»

Late-night is the standout hit of the fall season

(NEWSER) - The fall TV ratings are in, and while Heroes needs saving and House is collapsing, Saturday Night Live has emerged as the biggest hit of the season, Maureen Ryan writes in the Chicago Tribune. Unlike other shows, SNL’s live ratings have jumped nearly 50% in its 34th season. “It’s the hottest it’s been since the early years,” remarked one analyst. More»

Show tries to be equally unfair to all candidates

(NEWSER) - “Saturday Night Live” staffers are getting serious over accusations of a pro-Clinton bias, with producer Lorne Michaels telling the Los Angeles Times any perception of bias is a "major concern" and assuring “there’s no agenda.” The show’s send-up of a media crush on Barack Obama was credited by some pundits with ending the love fest—but head writer Seth Meyers says watchers are giving “SNL” too much credit. Hillary impersonator Amy Poehler says the show targets "whoever is winning." More»

One blogger thinks her brand of humor is to blame instead

(NEWSER) - In her new book, Girl Walks Into a Bar, Rachel Dratch says her looks have cursed her career. "By Hollywood standards, I’m a troll, ogre, woodland creature, or manly lesbian," she writes, and that's prevented her from getting the roles she wants—NBC replaced her as a 30 Rock lead, for instance. Jezebel generally agrees with Dratch ("if she were a dude, she'd have her own show"), but at Slate , Torie Bosch isn't so sure. "What if her particular brand of acting—and she has admitted that she is more a character actor—just isn’t right for leading-lady-dom?" More»