Happy Valentine’s Day to all the haters out there!
@merlinragdoll Pucker up losers 💋
Here’s A BUNCH OF TV News
This weekend, we are celebrating the 50th season of Saturday Night Live with SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, a live concert that will stream on Peacock tonight, the re-airing of the first episode on Saturday night, and a 3-hour (and maybe an extra 15 minutes – you might want to adjust your DVRs to go a little longer) special along with a one-hour red carpet special on Sunday. As such, I’m going to dump a bunch of SNL links on you below, so apologies if Saturday Night Live isn’t your thing.
That said, I feel like I need to point out that while we are in the middle of the 50th season, the actual 50th anniversary of the premiere of Saturday Night Live won’t happen until October 11. And now you know.
Vulture did an amazing project where they surveyed 65 former SNL writers and cast members to ask them their thoughts on everything from the best host to the funniest sketch ever (and there’s a sketch in there I promise you don’t know) to the most frequent misconceptions about the show (yes, it’s really live) to the ultimate cast member and what they learned by being a part of the show. It’s a really great look at the show from within and a fun report for any real fan.
Here are the 10 most watched SNL sketches based on YouTube numbers, and you people are perverts.
Here is a very long piece about the man behind the magic: Lorne Michaels.
But spare some love for Rose Shuster, the woman who also helped make Saturday Night Live what it is.
The former cast members have been all over the talk shows this week, but this bit where the women of SNL deliver their best Housewives taglines might be my favorite thing to come out of the press blitz:
@BravoWWHL was so good 😊
These tag lines are everything #SNL50 #WWHL pic.twitter.com/sohhthc62U— MEGSmerizing (@megsmerizing) February 13, 2025
“An angel appeared in the form of Bill Murray. He was in this incredibly wonderful mood. He was just like, ‘Hey guys, what’s going on in here? Maybe open a window. You seem like you’re all about to cry,’” Fey recalled. “Then he just gave us this pep talk. I could have started crying because this is the pep talk I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid watching ‘Meatballs.’ He was just like, ‘The show’s going to be amazing. I’m so excited. I’m seeing everybody at rehearsal. I feel like we’re all brothers and sisters.’ I kept waiting for it to turn into a bit, and it never did.”
In honor of SNL and Valentine’s Day, here are a bunch of couples who met on the show.
Aidy Bryant reveals the secret reason your favorite cast member is your favorite cast member: because they know where the cameras are and how to read the cue cards.
How did “I’m On a Boat” not make this list????
In an upcoming memoir, Lorne Michaels insists that the show is mostly “nonpartisan”: “We have our biases, we have our people we like better than others, but you can’t be Samantha Bee.” Samantha Bee, unsurprisingly, had some things to say about that.
Wait, why did SNL fire Chloe Troast?
Meet the woman who has taken the bumper pictures for SNL for the past 25 years.
I swear to Stefon, Bill Hader better be on this special.
This is both an excellent condensed history of SNL while also explaining why it has lasted so long.
And for those of you who hate SNL, here’s a piece about how despite its iconoclast reputation, SNL has a long history of punching down, being sexist and racist, and celebrating the Donald Trumps and Elon Musks of the world, which is true. And this piece argues that SNL won’t work unless some parts of it are bad … which, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. SNL survives in part because we all want to see a car accident every once in a while. And after blogging it for more than 10 years, I’m here to attest they deliver on the crash almost every time.
And if you’ve ever wondered how you can attend a taping … it’s harder than you think. NBC opens an email lottery every August for one month: next season’s lottery will begin on August 1, 2025. You can not request a taping date, so if you don’t live in New York City, your travel schedule is going to need to be flexible. After reading everything, I don’t see anywhere how many tickets you can request, but you can only submit one email per household, so I assume you can ask for more than one. The email must contain your first and last name and your reason why you want to attend a taping. Also, you have to be 16 years old or older. Entering the lottery does not guarantee tickets, and if you do receive tickets, you’ll be notified of the date and time — because you might only get tickets to the dress rehearsal, not the actual live episode.
Now. If you missed the lottery, and you happen to be in New York during the week of a taping, you can try for stand-by tickets, but it’s also not easy. You have to go to the stand-by link that goes live on the Thursday morning ahead of the taping at 10 a.m. You can request up to four tickets for either the 11:30 p.m. live taping OR the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal. Then if there are stand-by tickets available, they’ll email you back with a reservation number. BUT YOU ARE NOT DONE YET. Then, you and your entire party need to show up to the stand-in check-in line at 6-7 p.m. the FRIDAY before the Saturday taping. They will check your ID, and then! You get a numerical place in line where you wait until MIDNIGHT — 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, to be exact, to receive your stand-by card. And even then, you’re not guaranteed a seat. Good luck!
PolUGHtics
The AP and Encyclopedia Brittanica will not be calling it the “Gulf of America,” thankyouverymuch.
“The body of water has shared borders between the U.S. and Mexico. Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change,” the AP wrote in its missive. “The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”
—-
Encyclopædia Britannica will continue to use ‘Gulf of Mexico’ for a few reasons:
-We serve an international audience, a majority of which is outside the U.S.
-The Gulf of Mexico is an international body of water, and the U.S.’s authority to rename it is ambiguous.
-It has been called the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ for more than 425 years.
But it’s important to note the distinction between international and domestic areas. President Trump has also signed an executive order to change the name of the Alaskan mountain called ‘Denali’ back to its former name, ‘Mount McKinley.’ When that change is made official by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, we will also make that change. Just as we did in 2015 when President Barack Obama changed the name of ‘McKinley’ to ‘Denali.’
The White House is still punishing The AP and refusing them access as a result.
Julie Pace, the executive editor of the AP, said, “The decision by the White House to block an AP reporter from an open press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Modi is a deeply troubling escalation of the administration’s continued efforts to punish The Associated Press for its editorial decisions.
“It is a plain violation of the First Amendment, and we urge the Trump administration in the strongest terms to stop this practice.”
She added, “This is now the third day AP reporters have been barred from covering the president – first as a member of the pool, and now from a formal press conference – an incredible disservice to the billions of people who rely on The Associated Press for nonpartisan news.”
Scathing statement out fromWHCA President Eugene Daniels. The White House continues to block AP reporters from news events. “a deeply disappointing escalation of an already unacceptable situation.”
— Christopher Wiggins (@cwnewser.bsky.social) 2025-02-14T00:54:43.586Z
Amazon is the most recent entertainment company to preemptively roll back its DEI policies. Great.
People at Disney are furious with the leadership’s turn against DEI measures.
Elon Musk and President Grifter are screaming about the government having subscriptions to The New York Times, Reuters, and Politico which is insane.
The Kennedy Center under the new President Tasteless regime has canceled “its tour of Finn, an acclaimed Kennedy Center-produced children’s musical about a young shark who, in the words of the show’s creators, ‘wants to let out his inner fish.'” The Actors’ Equity Association is pissed.
Issa Rae canceled her appearance at the Kennedy Center following President The Apprentice’s takeover.
I don’t know if you’re following the situation over at the Justice Department with New York Mayor Eric Adams, but it’s completely insane, and for some reason not receiving the Watergate coverage it deserves. In short: the Justice Department ordered the U.S. Attorney’s office in New York to drop the federal corruption charges against Adams, not because he’s innocent, but because it was interfering with Adams’ ability to help them deport immigrants and it was hurting Adams’ chances for re-election. Oh, and also? They ordered the charges to be dropped without prejudice, meaning they could charge him again at any time … if he doesn’t do what they want.
Now, these are not legitimate reasons to drop federal charges and the lead prosecutor in that office — a woman who is 1. a Republican, 2. a member of the Federalist Society, 3. A FORMER CLERK TO ANTON SCALIA and 4. APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT CORRUPTION — resigned rather than do that, because she recognized that this was a classic — and deeply corrupt –quid pro quo situation. Since she resigned, seven more prosecutors have resigned along with her rather than put their signatures on the order to drop the charges.
AUSA Hagan Scotten, former clerk for John Roberts, really put some mustard on his resignation letter.
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw.bsky.social) 2025-02-14T15:43:34.028Z
This is the kind of thing that would get a president impeached back in the day when that sort of thing actually happened/mattered, and yet it’s getting very little play in the print media:
Yet while it’s the top story in The New York Times—because it concerns a local politician—it appears below the fold in The Washington Post, as a minor story at the bottom of the Wall Street Journal, absent from the front pages of the Los Angeles Times and Fox News, and nowhere to be found in the Philadelphia Inquirer (though, to be fair, they’re preoccupied with the Eagles parade today).
I feel like I’m losing my mind and he hasn’t been president for a full month yet.
The real president will settle with President Make Believe for $10 million after President Make Believe sued the real president’s social media site for kicking him off of it after he incited an attempted coup. Cool.
Judges doing their jobs and exercising the balance of powers is now a “constitutional crisis.” Very chill and not Orwellian talk at all:
Never forget: Mitch McConnell, who now that he’s going to retire soon has suddenly found his courage to oppose President Incompetent’s cabinet picks, he could have stopped all of this in 2021 after the January 6th coup attempt. He could have pushed through the impeachment in the Senate and barred this man from ever holding office again, and he didn’t because he’s a spineless coward with no real moral center. Fuck that guy.
Love you, Joy Behar! 😀
— Nanette 🇨🇦🇺🇳🇨🇱 (@4nada.bsky.social) 2025-02-14T16:17:25.325Z
In Development
- Yes, Chef!, a cooking competition hosted by Jose Andres and Martha Stewart, has been ordered at NBC.
- The Testaments, a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale starring Chase Infiniti and Ann Dowd, is close to being greenlit at Hulu.
- The Forgotten Realms, the Dungeons and Dragons series that started at Paramount+ is now moving to Netflix.
- All Fours is being adapted into a TV series at Starz.
- Kill Jackie, an adaptation of The Price You Pay starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, is in the works at Prime Video.
- Chasing the West, a new Property Brothers series has been ordered at HGTV.
- High Wire is being adapted into a series at Apple TV+.
- Dilettante- True Tales of Excess, Triumph, and Disaster will be adapted for Apple TV+, and star Jeff Daniels.
- Tip Toe, a drama from Russell T. Davies, and a sketch comedy series from David Mitchell and Robert Webb have been ordered at Channel 4.
Casting News
- Lexi Minetree is your new Elle Woods in Elle at Amazon MGM.
- D’Arcy Carden joined the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.
- Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves are returning to Days of Our Lives at Peacock.
- Keyla Monterroso Mejia has joined Acapulco on Apple TV+.
- Willie Geist, Leslie Jones, and Matt Rogers will host SNL50: The Red Carpet on NBC.
- Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Kadia Saraf, Dominic Fumusa, and Emilia Suårez are joining Dexter: Ressurection at Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime.
- Solly McLeod, Agnes O’Casey, and Alice Englert have been cast in Star City at Apple TV+.
- Luis Gerardo Mendez and Adriana Paz have joined the cast of Animals on Netflix.
- Nate Bargatze will likely star in Christmas in Paradise at Amazon MGM.
- Kelly Rowland, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Robin Thede, and Annie Gonzalez will star in Relationship Goals at Amazon MGM.
- Rahm Emanuel is joining CNN as a commentator.
Mark Your Calendar
- Bridgerton will return on Netflix one day.
- Farmer Wants a Wife returns on Fox on March 20.
- Nosferatu debuts on Peacock on February 21.
- Love Hotel is coming to Bravo soon.
Love is in the air and our guests have arrived. #BravosLoveHotel is coming soon 💘 pic.twitter.com/Ozt4cGdtLQ
— Bravo (@BravoTV) February 14, 2025
- O’Dessa will debut on Hulu on March 13.
- Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke debuts on Hulu on February 27.
- Sing Sing will premiere on Max on March 21.
- George Lopez: Muy Catolico debuts on Prime Video on February 18.
- My Family premieres on Netflix on February 19.
- Ringo & Friends at the Ryman will premiere on CBS on March 10.
- The Tides That Bind: Inside Alabama Football debuts on Fox Nation on February 19.
- Twitter: Breaking the Bird will debut on CNN on March 9.
- Yellowstone will return on Peacock on March 16.
WATCH THIS
FRIDAY
Love is Blind: I DON’T WANT TO GET SUCKED IN, I AM ABOUT TO GET SUCKED IN. Season 8 premiere. Netflix
Yellowjackets: Misty takes on a new personality in the third season premiere. Paramount+ with Showtime
The Gorge: Ana Taylor Joy and Miles Teller star as two elite snipers tasked with guarding a mysterious gorge in this romantic-action-science-fiction-horror film. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Apple TV+
Flow: This Oscar-nominated animated film follows the adventures of Cat as he finds refuge on a boat after a great flood. Streaming premiere. Max
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert: A live concert from Radio City Music Hall featuring performances by Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Cher, Chris Martin, Dave Grohl, David Byrne, DEVO, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, Snoop Dogg, St. Vincent. The B-52s, The Roots and Wyclef Jean. 7 p.m., Peacock
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Live: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking variety series, we’re going back to the very first episode. Host George Carlin, and musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston. 10:30 p.m., NBC
Have I Got News for You: Season 2 premiere. 8 p.m., CNN
SUNDAY
Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special: A three-hour celebration of the iconic and influential comedy series. 7 p.m., NBC
The White Lotus: Let’s go to Thailand where everything will be fine and everyone will have a relaxing vacation and definitely no one will be murdered. Season three premiere. 8 p.m., HBO
Tracker: There’s a new lead in the Gina Picket case. Winter premiere. 7 p.m., CBS
The Equalizer: The team races to find out if a gang war is breaking out. Winter premiere. 9 p.m., CBS
Last Week with John Oliver: He’s back, finally. 10 p.m., HBO
Family Guy: It’s a Top Gun parody. 23rd season premiere. 7 p.m., Fox
Grimsburg: Flute moves into a haunted house. Season premiere. 7:30 p.m., Fox
The Great North: Wolf gets cast on “Dropped Off To Die.” Season premiere. 8 p.m., Fox
Krapopolis: John Fate comes to town in the winter premiere. 8:30 p.m., Fox
| FRI. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | Shark Tank (new) |
20/20 |
| CBS | NCIS: Sydney (new) |
Fire Country (new) |
S.W.A.T. (new) |
| CW | Penn & Teller: Fool Us (new) |
Masters of Illusion (new) |
Local |
| FOX | Men’s College Basketball | Local |
| NBC | Happy’s Place (new) |
Happy’s Place (repeat) |
Dateline |
—
| SAT. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 10:00 | 10:30 | 11:00 | 11:30 |
| ABC | 4 Nations Face-Off Hockey (live) |
News/Local |
| CBS | Watson (repeat) |
48 Hours | 48 Hours | News/Local |
| FOX | Men’s College Basketball (live) |
News/Local |
| NBC | The Voice (repeat) |
Saturday Night Live (repeat) |
News/ Local |
Saturday Night Live (George Carlin & Janis Ian and Billy Preston) |
—
| SUN. | 6:00 | 6:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | America’s Funniest Home Videos (new) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
Shifting Gears (repeat) |
| CBS | 60 Minutes | Tracker (new) |
Watson (new) |
The Equalizer (new) |
| The CW | Whose Line is it Anyway? (repeat) |
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |
| FOX | Next Level Chef (repeat) |
Family Guy (new) |
Grims-burg (new) |
The Great North (new) |
Krap-opolis (new) |
Local/News |
| NBC | SNL 50: Red Carpet | Saturday Night Live (new) |
Excellent SNL column…thanks for all these links to more reading.