Sam Smith & Kim Petras On SNL + More News

Sam Smith on SNL (screen capture)
Sam Smith on SNL (screen capture)
Some news items you might have missed: • Buzzfeed: Pop star Sam Smith was the musical guest last night on SNL where he performed his chart-topping, Grammy-nominated duet “Unholy” with pop sensation Kim Petras, who made a surprise entrance. Continue reading “Sam Smith & Kim Petras On SNL + More News”

Recapping ‘American Horror Story: NYC’ + More News

Russell Tovey in AHS: NYC
Russell Tovey in AHS: NYC (photo: Pari Dukovic/FX)
Some news items you might have missed: • Back2Stonewall: If you’re following American Horror Story: NYC, click over to read Will Kohler’s excellent recaps of the show which has a 1980s LGBTQ story line. Authenticity matters to Will – why? Because he was there in NYC back then. Continue reading “Recapping ‘American Horror Story: NYC’ + More News”

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”

Lil Nas X Tears It Up (Literally) On SNL Season Finale

Lil Nas X on SNL

Lil Nas X on SNL
Lil Nas X on SNL (screen capture)
Lil Nas X made quite the splash this weekend as the musical guest on SNL. For the Season 46 finale of SNL, Lil Nas X performed “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” while wearing an all-leather fire-themed outfit. But a wardrobe malfunction occurred when he squatted down in front of a stripper pole and his pants ripped in the upper thigh area. For the rest of the performance, Lil Nax X continued to sing and dance while trying to keep the rip from being too noticeable. This has to be the gayest thing I’ve ever seen on SNL 🙂

  The Grammy winner followed that up with a performance of his latest single, “Sun Goes Down,” which went smoothly and no mishaps.

Lil Nas X did also took part in a prerecorded Pride Month song titled “It’s Pride Again.” SNL’s queer cast members – Bowen Yang, Kate McKinnon, Punkie Johnson, and Taylor-Joy – joined Nas X for a music video about how exciting it is for Pride to return after the pandemic.

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?

SNL Cold Open Takes On Giuliani’s ‘Star Witness’

The SNL cold open couldn’t resist taking on the media moment of the week: Rudy Giuliani’s seemingly drunk ‘star witness’ during a Michigan State Senate hearing. In the skit, Rudy Giuliani (Kate McKinnon) is trying to make an argument to prove widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. He presents former Dominion Systems staffer Melissa Carone (Cecily Strong): “I swear to tell my whole story, and nothing but my story so help me Gob.” Asked to present what she witnessed, Strong’s Carone replied, “Excuse me, maybe try losing the attitude first. Just like you lost all those Trump ballots.” “Did you check every poll? Did you talk to all the dead people? Excuse me. I have been threatened. My kids have been threatened. My kids have threatened me, and I’ve threatened them right back. … I’m not lying. I signed an After David.” After other ‘witnesses,’ Carone returns: “Excuse me we are all here under oath. If you want to talk about random. I voted for Trump yet Biden won? Hmm? Maybe a little bit too random. You aren’t even going to admit that Dominion cheated.” Asked how the voting machine company ‘cheated,’ Strong’s Carone answers, “Well, for starters they cheated me out of my cheesy bread.” “I think you’re confusing Dominion with Dominos,” says a lawmaker. “Either way, my vote took longer than 30 minutes so it’s supposed to be free,” Strong’s Carone snaps back.

SNL: ‘The Village People’ Sing Musical Cease & Desist To Trump Campaign

(screen capture)
‘The Village People’ (Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, Beck Bennett, Chris Redd, Bowen Yang) stopped by SNL’s Weekend Update to address Donald Trump using their music at his rallies. Earlier this week, video clips of the Trumpster ‘dancing’ (kinda, sorta, ish) to their disco hit “YMCA” made their way onto the interwebs becoming a source for numerous viral memes. For months now, recording artists like Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins and even Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber have publicly asked the Trump camp to stop using their music at campaign rallies. Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley recently fired off an epic takedown of the Donald after learning her recording of “Memory” was being played at Trump events.

SNL: Brad Pitt’s ‘Dr. Fauci’ Fact-Checks Trump’s Coronavirus Lies

Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci on SNL
Earlier this month, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked who he’d like to see play him on Saturday Night Live and the good doctor said, “Brad Pitt, of course.” Well, it turns out dreams do come true as the Academy Award winner showed up via video last night as Fauci for the show’s second SNL-at-Home edition. Outfitted in a wig, glasses and Brooklyn accent, Pitt began, “First, I’d like to thank all the older women in America who have sent me supportive, inspiring, and sometimes graphic emails.” “Now, there’s been a lot of misinformation out there about the virus. And, yes, the president has taken some liberties with our guidelines. So tonight, I would like to explain what the president was trying to say. And, remember, let’s all keep an open mind.” From there, Pitt’s ‘Fauci’ attempted to fact-check of the erroneous things Donald Trump has said in recent weeks about the coronavirus. For example, Trump’s declaration that there would be a vaccine “relatively soon.” “Relatively soon is an interesting phrase. Relative to the entire history of Earth, sure, the vaccine’s going to come real fast. But if you were to tell a friend, ‘I’ll be over relatively soon’ and then showed up a year and a half later, well, your friend may be relatively pissed off.” Then there’s the Donald’s assertion that “like a miracle, [coronavirus] will disappear.” Pitt’s Fauci responds, “A miracle would be great. Who doesn’t love miracles? But miracles shouldn’t be plan A. Even Sully tried to land at the airport first.” Regarding Trump’s statement that “I’m not sure anybody knows what it [coronavirus] is.” (pause) “We know what it is,” says Pitt’s Fauci. Theorizing he may soon be fired from the White House Coronavirus Task Force for telling the truth and sharing the science behind the ongoing health threat, ‘Fauci’ added this: “Until then, I’m going to be there, putting out the facts for whoever’s listening. And when I hear things like ‘the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide pod challenge,’ I’ll be there to say, ‘Please don’t.’” Finally, Pitt removed his wig and glasses to address the public and frontline health workers as himself: “To the real Dr. Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time. And thank you to the medical workers, first responders, and their families for being on the frontline.”