Tag: Kate McKinnon

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News Round-Up: July 22, 2022

Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Marco Rubio (via Advocate)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the first out member of the U.S. Senate, spoke up when Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) called the Respect for Marriage Act a “stupid waste of time” in an elevator encounter. Continue reading “News Round-Up: July 22, 2022”

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SNL’s Kate McKinnon Discusses Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

Kate McKinnon dropped by the Weekend Update desk to talk about Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill
Out Emmy Award winner Kate McKinnon (screen capture)
Saturday Night Live’s out Emmy Award winner Kate McKinnon dropped by the Weekend Update desk last night to discuss Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Continue reading “SNL’s Kate McKinnon Discusses Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill”

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Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy Brings The Funny On SNL

Schitt's Creek star Dan Levy hosts SNL

Schitt's Creek star Dan Levy hosts SNL
Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy hosts SNL
What to do after your hit TV series Schitt’s Creek garners not only 5 Golden Globe nominations but 5 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations? If you’re Dan Levy, you host Saturday Night Live! Levy had a great outing last night in SNL including taking part in a clever skit involving out cast members Bowen Yang, Punkie Johnson, and Kate McKinnon that ‘celebrated’ the 10-year-old It Gets Better Project. Note: We all love the It Gets Better Project, so, don’t take any of this as bashing a great organization. It’s all just fun. It all begins quite upbeat as the four assure viewers that things do, indeed, ‘get better.’ But as the details of ‘better’ are explored, it seems ‘better’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘perfect.’
L-R Bowen Yang, Kate McKinnon, Punkie Johnson (screen captures)
Yang shares how, once he learned to love himself, he found he was no longer bullied…by straight people. “Then I pretty much immediately started getting tormented by gay people…for my taste in music.” “It’s scarier when gay people are mean because they are so organized,” laments Yang. “I tweeted one vague opinion about Chromatica and I had to move. Not just apartments but cities.” Levy’s character says he doesn’t get bullied anymore because he’s a very successful 30-year-old. But life’s problems weren’t completely solved. “You know what feels very similar to being shoved in a locker though? Income tax,” says Levy’s character. “I know that’s not what you guys do, but stuff about taxes would have been extremely helpful.” Emmy Award winner Kate McKinnon knocks it out of the park with her post-It Gets Better issue – her two kids’ iguana which now dominates her life. “It’s ruined my floors with its urine, and now there’s an evil dinosaur living in my house.”

And Punkie Johnson has real-life advice: “Don’t wear basketball shorts cause when you’re out with your girl, people are going to think YOU the one who fights.” Brian Wenke, executive director for It Gets Better Project, sent out an email embracing the humor:

Last night Saturday Night Live and its incredible cast of queer talent held up a mirror to the It Gets Better Project and made us laugh. I am sure you can imagine the flurry of calls, texts, and emails inspired by the skit. I am honored to be a part of an organization that continues to maintain relevance 10 years after the viral social media campaign that gave it life.”

Another sketch that landed also addressed how life changes when you get older. “Are you bored? Looking for something to spice up your life? You used to want sex – but you’re in your late 30s now,” say the sexy-voiced cast members. “You need something new, something exciting. I need a new fantasy.” And what better fantasy that scrolling through pictures and pictures of that house you can’t afford? “You need…Zillow.” The skit’s not only pretty spot-on but – bonus! – includes Levy as part of an aroused gay couple. “I’d never live in North Carolina,” says Levy before adding in an echoing sensual voice, “But if I did – I could buy a big, gross mansion.”

Let me know what you thought about Levy’s appearance last night. Score or snore?

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Recapping The 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Kate McKinnon at the 77th Golden Globe Awards (screen capture)
I enjoyed watching the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s 77th annual Golden Globe Awards last night, even though I had hopes that more LGBTQ artists’ work would be recognized. First up – the good news. SNL’s Kate McKinnon paying tribute to Ellen DeGeneres in advance of Ellen accepting the Carol Burnett Excellence in Television Award was easily the most touching LGBTQ moment of the night. “In 1997, when Ellen’s sitcom was in the height of its popularity, I was in my mother’s basement lifting weights in front of the mirror and thinking, ‘Am I gay?’ And I was, and I still am,” McKinnon said. “But that’s a very scary thing to suddenly know about yourself. It’s sort of like doing 23andMe and discovering that you have alien DNA. And the only thing that made it less scary was seeing Ellen on TV.” “She risked her entire life and her entire career in order to tell the truth, and she suffered greatly for it,” continued McKinnon. “Of course, attitudes change, but only because brave people like Ellen jump into the fire to make them change.” “And if I hadn’t seen her on TV, I would have thought, ‘I could never be on TV. They don’t let LGBTQ people on TV.’ And more than that, I would have gone on thinking that I was an alien and that I maybe didn’t even have a right to be here. So thank you, Ellen, for giving me a shot. A shot at a good life, and thank you also for the sweater with a picture of the baby goat on it.”

Elton John and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin picked up the prize for Best Original Song (Motion Picture) with “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from the musical fantasy biopic of John’s early life, Rocketman. “It’s the first time I won an award with him. Ever,” said the pop music legend while accepting the award. “We never won a Grammy, we never did anything together except for this and I’m so happy, thank you very much.” Taupin added, “This isn’t just a song we wrote for a movie – this is a song we wrote for a movie that deals with our relationship.” And hunky Taron Egerton’s star turn as “Elton John” in the film won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). But the movie lost out in the top category of Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood.

Out actors Billy Porter (FX’s Pose) and Ben Platt (Netflix’s The Politician) were nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series in the Drama and Comedy categories, respectively. But the two Tony Award winners went home empty-handed as Porter watched Brian Cox accept the trophy in his category for HBO’s Succession, and writer/actor Ramy Youssef scored over Platt for his turn in Hulu’s Ramy. Porter may not have won during the awards ceremony, but he certainly scored on the red carpet with his ‘vision in white’ feather-adorned tuxedo by Alex Vinash in collaboration with stylist Sam Ratelle.  Embellished with 4,000 Swarovski crystals and a six-foot train paired with a $2 million, 40-carat Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace, Porter was easily one of the fashion highlights of the evening. Standing on the red carpet, Porter announced, “This is not a sitting outfit, this is a standing outfit!”

Out actor Andrew Scott was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series (Comedy) for his performance as ‘Hot Priest’ in Amazon’s Fleabag, but saw the trophy go to Russell Crowe for his performance as Roger Ailes in Showtime’s The Loudest Voice. Out actress Beanie Feldstein received a nod for her high school overachiever in the lauded comedy Booksmart, but the moment would go to Awkwafina in The Farewell, making history as the first Asian-American performer to win a Golden Globe in any lead actress film category. I thought Antonio Banderas would score with his nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) in Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, but Joaquin Phoenix walked away with the Golden Globe for his terrific performance in The Joker. Some might have been surprised by Renée Zellweger’s win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) in the Judy Garland biopic, Judy. But it’s a worthy, powerhouse performance in a moving film about the legendary gay icon. Lesbian-centric Killing Eve lost in the Best Television Series (Drama) category to Succession. And Netflix’s gay-themed The Politician was nominated for Best Comedy Series, but the honor went to the Amazon hit, Fleabag. Two queer films – Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory – were nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, but the award went to the widely-acclaimed South Korean thriller, Parasite. While not LGBTQ in regards to the actors or content, I was thrilled that Michelle Williams’ incredible turn as legendary Broadway leading lady Gwen Verdon in the miniseries Fosse/Verdon scored. Months after viewing the series, I think it’s the best thing I saw on television all year.

For a complete list of those who took home Golden Globes last night, click here.

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SNL Cold Open Tweaks LGBTQ Town Hall

Billy Porter on SNL (screen captures)
Saturday Night Live’s cold open could not resist putting its twist on this week’s LGBTQ Town Hall. Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper opened the sketch informing the audience that the town hall would address those issues important to “LGBTQ people and straight girls who make Pride about them.” Newly-minted Emmy Award-winner Billy Porter comes out (playing himself) to introduce the ‘presidential candidates.’ Beginning with Chris Redd’s Cory Booker, Porter said, “He may live in the projects, but ladies, he ain’t no project.”
Chris Redd as Sen. Cory Booker
When Booker is asked about some questionable writing he did about gays in the early 90s: “I don’t want you to think I’m dodging the question, so I’m going to go now.” Porter intros Colin Jost’s Mayor Pete Buttigieg: “Representing House of Booty Gig, it’s Mayor Pete.”
Colin Jost as Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Asked how he’d respond to folks who say he’s not gay in the right way: “There’s no wrong way to be gay – unless you’re Ellen (DeGeneres) this week.” Buttigieg also wondered aloud why he’s not doing better in the polls: “Why am I not winning this? I’m a veteran, I’m under the legal retirement age, and when I talk, it makes sense. Is something wrong with me?” Says Cooper: “You’re a great guy, just, as a friend. Not for president.” Next up, Porter brings the audience to attention saying, “Warning. Warning. The sentencer is here. She’s got a plan for the future. It’s Elizabeth Warren.”
Kate McKinnon as Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Kate McKinnon delivers a spot on Warren on her entrance: “I am so excited to be here. I had some apple slices backstage and they are hitting me like cocaine. You all know I’m not a lesbian but all the ingredients are there.” Obviously, SNL had to touch on the big viral moment of the Town Hall when Warren was asked how she would respond to a ‘traditional marriage’ supporter on the campaign trail who may underscore that they believe marriage is between one man and one woman? McKinnon’s Warren riffs: “I would say, ‘Sir, tell me your bus stop because I want to know where you get off.’ What else, what else? If someone doesn’t want to serve gay people at their small business? I bet that’s not the only thing that’s small. And when people say gay and trans shouldn’t be included in civil rights protections, well…I wish their parents had used protection.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Secretary Julian Castro
Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a turn as “the House of Urban Deliciousness,” Julian Castro: “As a Democrat. I want to apologize for not being gay. But I promise to do better in the future.” He adds, “However, I am Latino, which we can all agree is something. I’m young, I’m diverse, I’m LatinObama. So let’s get that hashtag going.”
Woody Harrelson as Vice President Joe Biden
Special guest Woody Harrelson offers his take on former Vice President Joe Biden, as Porter intros, “the Delaware daddy whose only vice is the Choo Choo train.” Biden drops bon mots along the likes of “The vast majority of people in America are not homophobic – they’re just scared of gay people. You know me – I went to bat for marriage equality and I believe we’re all equal whether you’re gay, lesbie, transgenital or queer.” Check out the full segment below.

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SNL Says ‘Goodbye’ To Attorney General Jeff Sessions

With the news that Donald Trump fired his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, one day after the midterm elections, how could SNL not say goodbye to their “Jeff Sessions” played by Kate McKinnon?

It’s time to pack up and get out, “Jeff,” but before you do some folks want to come say good-bye including Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Aidy Bryant), Mike Pence (Beck Bennett), Eric Trump (Alex Moffat), Donald Trump Jr. (Mikey Day) and Robert Mueller (Robert De Niro).

As Sessions wonders what else he could have done to please his boss (“I don’t understand what I did wrong? I put kids in cages. I said no to gays? What more did you want?”), Bennet’s Pence finds his mind wandering: “I’m sorry, I heard the words ‘gays in cages’ and I went somewhere crazy.”

And the Trump boys, Junior and Eric, check in with Sessions to see if they are going to get “some penis” (or subpoenas, but, whatever).

And then Mueller is the final goodbye, but at least he brings a going away present.

Watch below.

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SNL Cold Open: Trump & Company Sing “Hallelujah”

Seated at a piano, a lone Alec Baldwin as “Donald Trump” begins singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

He’s quickly joined by the SNL cast members who have brought the Trump administration to life over the past several months: Kellyanne Conway (Kate McKinnon), Mike Pence (Beck Bennett), Eric Trump (Alex Moffat), Donald Trump Jr. (Mikey Day), Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Aidy Bryant), Melania Trump (Cecily Strong) and Ivanka Trump (Scarlett Johansson).

Watch Baldwin’s “Trump” on the line, “I didn’t come to fool ya.”

The effect is quite different from last November when Kate McKinnon used the same song to staggering effect as “Hillary Clinton” after the election.

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SNL: “The Name On Everybody’s Lips Is Gonna Be… Conway”

Saturday Night Live dove deep into the psyche of President Trump adviser “Kellyanne Conway” (Kate McKinnon) last night, imagining the former pollster reveling in her rise in the political world.

Clip description:

The bit started off by showing Conway in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, where she consistently found ways to pivot away from answering questions. Eventually, the interview took a sharp turn when it became a musical number about how Conway is now almost as much of a celebrity figure as Trump.

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SNL: “Hillary Clinton” Appeals To Electoral College In “Love Actually” Parody

Last night’s SNL featured a parody of the iconic scene from holiday film classic Love Actually in which Andrew Lincoln silently admits his love for Keira Knightley via a set of written poster cards.

In SNL’s version, Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) appears on the doorstep of a member of the Electoral College (Cecily Strong) with her own set of poster cards. Some very funny poster cards.

This was “actually” laugh out loud funny to me. You’ve got to watch.

Equally funny was the cold open, featuring Alec Baldwin’s “Donald Trump” and Kate McKinnon as “Kellyanne Conway,” which hit on some of the Trumpster’s sore spots.

From the New York Times:

In its final episode of 2016, “S.N.L.,” the sketch series and enduring thorn in Mr. Trump’s side, began with a cold open on Saturday that went hard at some sensitive spots for the president-elect: his relationship to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, his courtship of Melania Trump, and some of his recent gaffes and cabinet nominations. The show all but dared Mr. Trump to respond on his Twitter account, but he did not immediately do so.

A bare-chested Mr. Putin (played by the “S.N.L.” cast member Beck Bennett) soon came down the chimney with a Santa sack. He profusely flattered Mr. Trump as “the best candidate” and “the smartest candidate” — and “the Manchurian candidate,” implying Mr. Trump was an unwitting Russian puppet. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds tremendous,” Mr. Trump said.