Weekend Update is a sketch and parody newscast presented on Saturday Night Live. It is the brainchild of popular SNL cast member Chevy Chase and SNL writers Herb Sargent and Al Franken, which parodies current events.
The sketch is SNL's longest-running, premiering during the first broadcast of SNL on October 11, 1975. During Chase's run as a news anchor, he often began his bits talking exclusively on the phone to a mystery person, unaware that he was live on air. He used the catchphrase "I'm Chevy Chase...and you're not" and concluded his segment with "That's the news...good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow."
Over the years, many other notable names served as newscasters, including Jane Curtain, Dennis Miller, Kevin Nealon, Norm MacDonald, and Colin Quinn. Personally, I believe MacDonald, with his dry delivery, is the cream of the crop when it comes to Weekend Update anchors.
It is well...
The sketch is SNL's longest-running, premiering during the first broadcast of SNL on October 11, 1975. During Chase's run as a news anchor, he often began his bits talking exclusively on the phone to a mystery person, unaware that he was live on air. He used the catchphrase "I'm Chevy Chase...and you're not" and concluded his segment with "That's the news...good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow."
Over the years, many other notable names served as newscasters, including Jane Curtain, Dennis Miller, Kevin Nealon, Norm MacDonald, and Colin Quinn. Personally, I believe MacDonald, with his dry delivery, is the cream of the crop when it comes to Weekend Update anchors.
It is well...
- 9/10/2024
- by Renee Hansen
- Last Night On
Next year, ‘Saturday Night Live' will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, after making its premiere on October 11, 1975. The famed late-night comedy’s beginnings are also in the process of being captured in a new film, aptly titled ‘SNL 1975’. While little details have been released about the plot or script, casting information, behind-the-scenes pictures, as well as history can give us information on this anticipated origin story.
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Live From New York, It’S 1975 Though it may seem that the plot of ‘SNL 1975...
Things to do:
Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
Live From New York, It’S 1975 Though it may seem that the plot of ‘SNL 1975...
- 8/27/2024
- by Abigail Johnson
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
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
Gloria Stroock, who played Rock Hudson’s secretary on McMillan & Wife and appeared in films including Fun With Dick and Jane, The Competition and The Day of the Locust, has died. She was 99.
Stroock died May 5 of natural causes in Tucson, Arizona, her daughter, Kate Stern, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Stroock was married to Emmy-winning writer-producer Leonard B. Stern (Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, The Phil Silvers Show, The Honeymooners, Get Smart and much more) from 1956 until his death in 2011 at age 87.
Her late younger sister was Geraldine Brooks, a Tony nominee and Warner Bros. contract player (Cry Wolf, Embraceable You).
Stroock recurred as Maggie, the secretary of Hudson’s San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan, on the final three seasons (1974-77) of McMillan & Wife, the NBC series created by her husband.
She portrayed the wife of Richard Dysart’s art director in John Schlesinger’s The Day of the Locust...
Stroock died May 5 of natural causes in Tucson, Arizona, her daughter, Kate Stern, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Stroock was married to Emmy-winning writer-producer Leonard B. Stern (Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, The Phil Silvers Show, The Honeymooners, Get Smart and much more) from 1956 until his death in 2011 at age 87.
Her late younger sister was Geraldine Brooks, a Tony nominee and Warner Bros. contract player (Cry Wolf, Embraceable You).
Stroock recurred as Maggie, the secretary of Hudson’s San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan, on the final three seasons (1974-77) of McMillan & Wife, the NBC series created by her husband.
She portrayed the wife of Richard Dysart’s art director in John Schlesinger’s The Day of the Locust...
- 5/14/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
J.K. Simmons has joined the cast of Jason Reitman’s SNL 1975, and not only will the Oscar winner be playing Hollywood legend Milton Berle, but he’ll have the notable distinction of becoming the first actual SNL host to join the cast of the Sony movie.
Simmons hosted the Jan. 31, 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live, which featured D’Angelo as the musical guest. At the time, Simmons was riding high off an Oscar nomination for Whiplash, and he would go on to win the Academy Award following his SNL hosting stint.
Meanwhile, Berle hosted SNL on April 14, 1979, and Ornette Coleman was his musical guest. It’s unclear where Berle fits into Reitman’s movie at this moment in time.
SNL 1975 is a behind-the-scenes account of the very first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film will reportedly unfold in real-time.
On the heels of playing Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans,...
Simmons hosted the Jan. 31, 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live, which featured D’Angelo as the musical guest. At the time, Simmons was riding high off an Oscar nomination for Whiplash, and he would go on to win the Academy Award following his SNL hosting stint.
Meanwhile, Berle hosted SNL on April 14, 1979, and Ornette Coleman was his musical guest. It’s unclear where Berle fits into Reitman’s movie at this moment in time.
SNL 1975 is a behind-the-scenes account of the very first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film will reportedly unfold in real-time.
On the heels of playing Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Jeff Sneider
- LateNighter
J.K. Simmons has rounded out the cast for Jason Reitman’s delve into behind-the-scenes happenings of the opening night of ‘SNL’ in ‘SNL 1975’.
Billy Bryk (Friendship), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) and Mcabe Gregg (Teenage Badass) have also joined the cast.
Simmons is set to take on the role of comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
Also in news – Benedict Cumberbatch stars in first look images for ‘Eric’
The latest group of actors join the already cast Gabriel Labelle who leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber.
The script for the project is penned by Reitman and Gil Kenan.
Billy Bryk (Friendship), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) and Mcabe Gregg (Teenage Badass) have also joined the cast.
Simmons is set to take on the role of comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
Also in news – Benedict Cumberbatch stars in first look images for ‘Eric’
The latest group of actors join the already cast Gabriel Labelle who leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber.
The script for the project is penned by Reitman and Gil Kenan.
- 3/26/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons (The Accountant 2) is among the final additions to the cast of Sony Pictures’ film SNL 1975 (working title), based on real-life behind-the-scenes accounts of the opening night of Saturday Night Live. Other new cast members for the Jason Reitman pic include Billy Bryk (Friendship), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) and Mcabe Gregg (Teenage Badass).
Simmons plays comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
As previously announced, The Fabelmans breakout Gabriel Labelle leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber also to star.
It was on October 11th, 1975 that a ferocious troupe of young...
Simmons plays comedian Milton Berle, with Chrest as Weekend Update co-creator Herb Sargent. Gray and Gregg portray Al Franken and Tom Davis, the SNL writer-performers of duo Franken & Davis. Details as to Bryk’s role haven’t been disclosed.
As previously announced, The Fabelmans breakout Gabriel Labelle leads the ensemble as Lorne Michaels, with Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard and Kaia Gerber also to star.
It was on October 11th, 1975 that a ferocious troupe of young...
- 3/25/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When "Saturday Night Live" hit NBC's airwaves on October 11, 1975, expectations were tempered. With its 11:30 Pm time slot and cast of fringe comedy talents, the show was a hedged bet. If the Nielsen ratings were poor, it'd be exceedingly easy for the network to pull the plug after a few episodes.
Everyone from creator Lorne Michaels on down were confident that they'd pulled together something special, if not revolutionary, but they were also concerned that their target audience might not show up. There was also the matter of executing a live television show with a bunch of boob-tube neophytes. There were so many moving pieces that had to click into place, and zero leeway for mistakes. One slip-up could set off a domino effect of snafus, resulting in a live TV debacle for the ages.
As the premiere approached, the cast members mulled their uncertain future. They believed in their work,...
Everyone from creator Lorne Michaels on down were confident that they'd pulled together something special, if not revolutionary, but they were also concerned that their target audience might not show up. There was also the matter of executing a live television show with a bunch of boob-tube neophytes. There were so many moving pieces that had to click into place, and zero leeway for mistakes. One slip-up could set off a domino effect of snafus, resulting in a live TV debacle for the ages.
As the premiere approached, the cast members mulled their uncertain future. They believed in their work,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Donald Glover made a rare appearance at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards in New York on Sunday night where he used some of his time onstage, presenting Atlanta executive producer Paul Simms with an honorary award, to joke about Community co-star Chevy Chase using the N-word.
The Atlanta writer-actor, whose upcoming series Swarm hits Amazon’s Prime Video later this month, recalled how the award Simms is receiving was named after former Saturday Night Live writer Herb Sargent, who came up with the Chevy Chase-hosted “Weekend Update.”
“Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television,” Glover said onstage at the WGA Awards. “Chevy Chase once called me. You know what? This is about Paul.”
Later, when Glover recalled hearing about Simms after working on Girls, he was more explicit about what happened with Chase.
“I was on the set of Girls after filming a sex scene for like eight hours,...
The Atlanta writer-actor, whose upcoming series Swarm hits Amazon’s Prime Video later this month, recalled how the award Simms is receiving was named after former Saturday Night Live writer Herb Sargent, who came up with the Chevy Chase-hosted “Weekend Update.”
“Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television,” Glover said onstage at the WGA Awards. “Chevy Chase once called me. You know what? This is about Paul.”
Later, when Glover recalled hearing about Simms after working on Girls, he was more explicit about what happened with Chase.
“I was on the set of Girls after filming a sex scene for like eight hours,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Donald Glover stopped by the WGA Awards in New York to present “NewsRadio” creator and “Atlanta” executive producer Paul Simms with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence on Sunday night, he found time to get a few jabs in at his famously unpleasant “Community” co-star Chevy Chase. For years, Glover has been open about Chase’s racist behavior towards him on the set of the NBC show, which he alluded to during his speech honoring Simms.
“This award was named after Herb Sargent, a writer who worked on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and came up with the ‘Weekend Update’ with Chevy Chase,'” Glover said at the beginning of his remarks. “Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television. And Chevy Chase once called me… you know, this is about Paul.”
His long comedic pause led many to believe he was referring to Chase calling him the N-word.
“This award was named after Herb Sargent, a writer who worked on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and came up with the ‘Weekend Update’ with Chevy Chase,'” Glover said at the beginning of his remarks. “Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television. And Chevy Chase once called me… you know, this is about Paul.”
His long comedic pause led many to believe he was referring to Chase calling him the N-word.
- 3/6/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Penelope Koechl will be this year’s recipient of the WGA East’s Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service to the Guild. The honorary award will be presented at the 75th annual Writers Guild Awards ceremony at New York’s Edison Ballroom on March 5.
Related Story WGA Awards TV Nominations: ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Severance’, ’Yellowjackets’ Among Shows Vying For Top Prizes Related Story WGA East & HuffPost Reach Deal On New Contract, Avert Threatened Strike Related Story 'Living Single' Creator Yvette Lee Bowser Set For WGA West's Top TV Honor
Koechl, who served five terms on the guild’s Council, is currently a member of the Trustee Review and Appointment Committee and chairperson of the Election Committee. After joining the guild in 1986, she served as a member of the 1988 Strike Committee, the 2001 Negotiating Committee and an alternate on the 2007 Negotiating Committee. A longtime writer for the...
Related Story WGA Awards TV Nominations: ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Severance’, ’Yellowjackets’ Among Shows Vying For Top Prizes Related Story WGA East & HuffPost Reach Deal On New Contract, Avert Threatened Strike Related Story 'Living Single' Creator Yvette Lee Bowser Set For WGA West's Top TV Honor
Koechl, who served five terms on the guild’s Council, is currently a member of the Trustee Review and Appointment Committee and chairperson of the Election Committee. After joining the guild in 1986, she served as a member of the 1988 Strike Committee, the 2001 Negotiating Committee and an alternate on the 2007 Negotiating Committee. A longtime writer for the...
- 2/2/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Simms, the writer behind ”Late Night With David Letterman” and the first three seasons of HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show,” will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence in recognition of his decades-long commitment to creating transformative content and mentoring budding screenwriters.
“Atlanta” creator Donald Glover is presenting the award to Simms at the 75th Annual Writers Guild Awards on March 5. The ceremony will be held at New York City’s Edison Ballroom.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Herb Sargent Award and truly grateful to the writers I’ve worked with over the years,” Simms said. “Without their input, I’m not even capable of coming up with a funny quote, and I look forward to their assessments of all the various ways this quote you’re reading right now missed the mark and could have been better.”
The award is annually presented to a...
“Atlanta” creator Donald Glover is presenting the award to Simms at the 75th Annual Writers Guild Awards on March 5. The ceremony will be held at New York City’s Edison Ballroom.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Herb Sargent Award and truly grateful to the writers I’ve worked with over the years,” Simms said. “Without their input, I’m not even capable of coming up with a funny quote, and I look forward to their assessments of all the various ways this quote you’re reading right now missed the mark and could have been better.”
The award is annually presented to a...
- 1/20/2023
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
As tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Live wound down, the show paid tribute to its former writer John Bowman, who died suddenly at home in California on New Year’s Eve, aged 64.
Bowman wrote on the series from1988-1989 and won an Emmy for his efforts across 20 episodes, sharing the honor with Mike Myers, Al Franken, Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Lorne Michaels, Phil Hartman, James Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Greg Daniels, Tom Davis, Shannon Gaughan, Jack Handey, Herbert Sargent, Tom Schiller, Robert Smigel, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander and George Meyer.
Bowman also made uncredited appearances in a pair of 1988 episodes hosted by actors Danny DeVito and John Lithgow.
He was otherwise best known for co-creating and producing the ’90s sitcom Martin, writing on series including In Living Color, and leading the WGA’s negotiating committee during the 2007-08 strike.
SNL‘s photo tribute to Bowman from tonight’s show,...
Bowman wrote on the series from1988-1989 and won an Emmy for his efforts across 20 episodes, sharing the honor with Mike Myers, Al Franken, Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Lorne Michaels, Phil Hartman, James Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Greg Daniels, Tom Davis, Shannon Gaughan, Jack Handey, Herbert Sargent, Tom Schiller, Robert Smigel, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander and George Meyer.
Bowman also made uncredited appearances in a pair of 1988 episodes hosted by actors Danny DeVito and John Lithgow.
He was otherwise best known for co-creating and producing the ’90s sitcom Martin, writing on series including In Living Color, and leading the WGA’s negotiating committee during the 2007-08 strike.
SNL‘s photo tribute to Bowman from tonight’s show,...
- 1/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, the team behind “30 Rock” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” will receive a top honor from the Writers Guild of America, East in February. The writing and producing duo will claim the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence next year at an award ceremony at New York’s Edison Ballroom, the guild announced on Thursday. The award has some emotional ties for Fey and Carlock, as Sargent was the creator of the “Saturday Night Live” news parody segment “Weekend Update.” Also Read: Tina Fey Blasts Trump, Neo-Nazis and Paul Ryan While Eating Cake (Video) “This is particularly meaningful for us.
- 12/14/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Prolific TV comedy writer Steve O’Donnell will receive a top honor from the Writer’s Guild of America East at its annual awards gala this year. O’Donnell, a longtime former staffer of “Late Night with David Letterman,” will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence at a Feb. 19 gala hosted by Lewis Black, the guild said Tuesday. “The Sargent Award is awarded to a writer who embodies the spirit, commitment and comic genius of Mr. Sargent, as well as his dedication to mentoring new writers,” a statement read of the awards namesake, who served as president of the Wgae for 14 years.
- 1/3/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Late-night TV writer Steve O'Donnell will be this year's recipient of the WGA East's Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence. Nominated for 20 Primetime Emmys and the winner of four, O’Donnell spent 10 years as head writer on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman and another five years as head writer on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. The award, which will be presented February 19 at the WGA Awards ceremony in New York, is given to a writer "who embodies the spirit, commitment…...
- 1/3/2017
- Deadline TV
-Aly Semigran; additional research by Jim Miller (@jimmiller)
Of all the positions on Saturday Night Live, sitting behind the iconic Weekend Update desk is, perhaps, the most prestigious and sought-after. Whether working solo or partnered up with an equally funny SNL co-star, the Weekend Update anchors have kept viewers informed on current events, with the added bonus of a hilarious punchline, over the past 40 years. As we celebrate the series’ anniversary, which VH1 Classic is currently honoring with its “SNL Rewind: 2015-1975 Mega Marathon,” we picked the top five Weekend Update hosts and hosting duos.
5. Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers was behind the Weekend Update desk from 2006 to 2014, both alone and with co-hosts (including Amy Poehler and Cecily Strong) making him the longest-running host on the show to date. While other memorable hosts went for snarky or biting (see: Dennis Miller), Meyers used his nice-guy charm to cut to the core...
Of all the positions on Saturday Night Live, sitting behind the iconic Weekend Update desk is, perhaps, the most prestigious and sought-after. Whether working solo or partnered up with an equally funny SNL co-star, the Weekend Update anchors have kept viewers informed on current events, with the added bonus of a hilarious punchline, over the past 40 years. As we celebrate the series’ anniversary, which VH1 Classic is currently honoring with its “SNL Rewind: 2015-1975 Mega Marathon,” we picked the top five Weekend Update hosts and hosting duos.
5. Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers was behind the Weekend Update desk from 2006 to 2014, both alone and with co-hosts (including Amy Poehler and Cecily Strong) making him the longest-running host on the show to date. While other memorable hosts went for snarky or biting (see: Dennis Miller), Meyers used his nice-guy charm to cut to the core...
- 2/1/2015
- by VH1
- VH1.com
-Aly Semigran; additional research by Jim Miller (@jimmiller)
Of all the positions on Saturday Night Live, sitting behind the iconic Weekend Update desk is, perhaps, the most prestigious and sought-after. Whether working solo or partnered up with an equally funny SNL co-star, the Weekend Update anchors have kept viewers informed on current events, with the added bonus of a hilarious punchline, over the past 40 years. As we celebrate the series’ anniversary, which VH1 Classic is currently honoring with its “SNL Rewind: 2015-1975 Mega Marathon,” we picked the top five Weekend Update hosts and hosting duos.
5. Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers was behind the Weekend Update desk from 2006 to 2014, both alone and with co-hosts (including Amy Poehler and Cecily Strong) making him the longest-running host on the show to date. While other memorable hosts went for snarky or biting (see: Dennis Miller), Meyers used his nice-guy charm to cut to the core...
Of all the positions on Saturday Night Live, sitting behind the iconic Weekend Update desk is, perhaps, the most prestigious and sought-after. Whether working solo or partnered up with an equally funny SNL co-star, the Weekend Update anchors have kept viewers informed on current events, with the added bonus of a hilarious punchline, over the past 40 years. As we celebrate the series’ anniversary, which VH1 Classic is currently honoring with its “SNL Rewind: 2015-1975 Mega Marathon,” we picked the top five Weekend Update hosts and hosting duos.
5. Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers was behind the Weekend Update desk from 2006 to 2014, both alone and with co-hosts (including Amy Poehler and Cecily Strong) making him the longest-running host on the show to date. While other memorable hosts went for snarky or biting (see: Dennis Miller), Meyers used his nice-guy charm to cut to the core...
- 2/1/2015
- by VH1
- TheFabLife - Movies
Saturday Night Live, “George Carlin/Billy Preston, Janis Ian”
Written by Lorne Michaels, Michael O’Donoghue, Anne Beatts, Tom Davis, Al Franken, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Herb Sargent, Tom Schiller, Rosie Schuster, Alan Zweibel
Directed by Dave Wilson
Aired on October 11, 1975 on NBC
Possibly (and very arguably) the most influential television show of all time, Saturday Night Live (SNL for short) is American comedy (albeit with a bit of Canadian help) exemplified: irreverent, absurdist, made for short attention spans, and continually being both panned and lauded by critics. Whether you still lock your door in fear of Land Shark, turned the show off in 1980 and never looked back, or are in need more cowbell, you know the magic that is SNL. Like a boy band or Santa Claus, we each have our favorites and picture a certain cast as the “real” SNL. For example, there are people who swear by the...
Written by Lorne Michaels, Michael O’Donoghue, Anne Beatts, Tom Davis, Al Franken, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Herb Sargent, Tom Schiller, Rosie Schuster, Alan Zweibel
Directed by Dave Wilson
Aired on October 11, 1975 on NBC
Possibly (and very arguably) the most influential television show of all time, Saturday Night Live (SNL for short) is American comedy (albeit with a bit of Canadian help) exemplified: irreverent, absurdist, made for short attention spans, and continually being both panned and lauded by critics. Whether you still lock your door in fear of Land Shark, turned the show off in 1980 and never looked back, or are in need more cowbell, you know the magic that is SNL. Like a boy band or Santa Claus, we each have our favorites and picture a certain cast as the “real” SNL. For example, there are people who swear by the...
- 6/29/2013
- by Diana Drumm
- SoundOnSight
The Sopranos was named the best-written show in television history by the Writers Guild of America, edging out an eclectic collection of some of the most beloved and admired series. Members of the Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) voted online for the 101 Best Written TV Series, with David Chase’s iconic “family” drama topping Seinfeld, The Twilight Zone, All in the Family, and M*A*S*H*.
“At their core, all of these wonderful series began with the words of the writers who created them and were sustained by the writers...
“At their core, all of these wonderful series began with the words of the writers who created them and were sustained by the writers...
- 6/3/2013
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside TV
The Descendants and Midnight in Paris have been honoured with awards from the Writers Guild of America. Midnight in Paris screenwriter Woody Allen triumphed over films including Bridesmaids and Young Adult to take the 'Original Screenplay' award, while The Descendants won the accolade for 'Adapted Screenplay' at Sunday night's ceremonies, held simultaneously in New York and Los Angeles. Both movies are also nominated for screenwriting prizes at next week's Academy Awards. The Help screenwriter and director Tate Taylor was given the Paul Selvin Award for special achievement, while Eric Roth (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Forrest Gump) was honoured with the Laurel Award for Screen, a lifetime achievement award. Judd Apatow was presented with the Herb Sargent (more)...
- 2/20/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Kristen Wiig is to give her Bridesmaids producer Judd Apatow an honorary prize at the Writers Guild of America's East Coast Awards. Apatow will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence in recognition of his career achievements at the WGA East's February 19 gala. His film Bridesmaids has been nominated in the 'Original Film' category against 50/50, Midnight in Paris, Win Win and Young Adult. Ryan's Hope creator Claire Labin will also be honored at the Writers Guild of America's East Coast Awards when she receives the Ian McLellan Hunter Award. The Writers Guild of America's East Coast Awards will be hosted by former Saturday Night Live star Rachel Dratch at Bb King (more)...
- 2/2/2012
- by By Justin Harp
- Digital Spy
Apatow To Receive WGA Honour
Filmmaker Judd Apatow is to be honoured for his comedy work by the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
The Knocked Up screenwriter and director will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence from Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig at the WGA's East Coast Awards in New York on 19 February.
Apatow served as producer on Bridesmaids.
His writing credits include Seth Rogen's Pineapple Express and Adam Sandler's You Don't Mess with the Zohan.
TV writer Clair Labine, who has worked on U.S. soaps General Hospital, Ryan's Hope and One Life to Live, will be handed the McLellan Hunter Award, while The Simpsons and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson writer Patric M. Verrone will be presented with the 2012 Morgan Cox Award.
The Knocked Up screenwriter and director will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence from Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig at the WGA's East Coast Awards in New York on 19 February.
Apatow served as producer on Bridesmaids.
His writing credits include Seth Rogen's Pineapple Express and Adam Sandler's You Don't Mess with the Zohan.
TV writer Clair Labine, who has worked on U.S. soaps General Hospital, Ryan's Hope and One Life to Live, will be handed the McLellan Hunter Award, while The Simpsons and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson writer Patric M. Verrone will be presented with the 2012 Morgan Cox Award.
- 2/1/2012
- WENN
Kristen Wiig will honor her Bridesmaids producer Judd Apatow with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy at the Writers Guild of America awards in New York City, the east coast wing of the WGA announced today. The award is named after the veteran TV writer (The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, The Dennis Miller Show) who was president of the WGA, East for 14 years.
Daytime TV writer Claire Labine (General Hospital, One Life to Live, Guiding Light) will receive the Ian McLellan Hunter Award, given to a writer for their body of work.
The WGA Awards will be held on Feb.
Daytime TV writer Claire Labine (General Hospital, One Life to Live, Guiding Light) will receive the Ian McLellan Hunter Award, given to a writer for their body of work.
The WGA Awards will be held on Feb.
- 2/1/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Kristen Wiig will present Judd Apatow with an award for comedy writing at the 2012 Writers Guild of America's East Coast Awards show, the WGA East announced on Wednesday. Apatow will receive the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence, an honor named for the longtime television writer who also served as Wgae president for 14 years. Wiig wrote and stars in "Bridesmaids," which Apatow produced. The Wgae also announced that Claire Labine will receive the Ian McLellan Hunter Award, which goes to a member in honor of his or her entire body of...
- 2/1/2012
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
"Sidney Lumet, a director who preferred the streets of New York to the back lots of Hollywood and whose stories of conscience — 12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, The Verdict, Network — became modern American film classics, died Saturday morning at his home in Manhattan. He was 86." Robert Berkvist in the New York Times: "'While the goal of all movies is to entertain,' Mr Lumet once wrote, 'the kind of film in which I believe goes one step further. It compels the spectator to examine one facet or another of his own conscience. It stimulates thought and sets the mental juices flowing.' Social issues set his own mental juices flowing, and his best films not only probed the consequences of prejudice, corruption and betrayal but also celebrated individual acts of courage."
"Nearly all the characters in Lumet's gallery are driven by obsessions or passions that range from the pursuit of justice,...
"Nearly all the characters in Lumet's gallery are driven by obsessions or passions that range from the pursuit of justice,...
- 4/18/2011
- MUBI
Slumdog Millionaire continued its winning streak this awards season, with Simon Beaufoy winning the 2009 Writers Guild of America award this evening for adapted screenplay. Dustin Lance Black won the award for best original screenplay for Milk. Slumdog has already won DGA, SAG, PGA and Golden Globe awards, and is a multi-award favorite for the Oscars. Milk has won SAG and PGA awards and is also a strong Oscar contender in multiple categories.
On the television side, awards went to the writers of Mad Men (drama), 30 Rock (comedy), Recount and John Adams in long-form categories, and In Treatment, Breaking Bad, and The Simpsons in various other fields. Controversially, among other awards was one for videogame writing (to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed). Some publishers declined to submit their titles for consideration, viewing the award as primarily an organizing tool for a guild seeking to gain a foothold in a non-unionized sector.
On the television side, awards went to the writers of Mad Men (drama), 30 Rock (comedy), Recount and John Adams in long-form categories, and In Treatment, Breaking Bad, and The Simpsons in various other fields. Controversially, among other awards was one for videogame writing (to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed). Some publishers declined to submit their titles for consideration, viewing the award as primarily an organizing tool for a guild seeking to gain a foothold in a non-unionized sector.
- 2/8/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
Fox Searchlight's Indian drama "Slumdog Millionaire" put another notch in the kudos-season win column Saturday, copping a WGA Award for best adapted screenplay for Simon Beaufoy.
Focus Features' Harvey Milk biopic "Milk," penned by Dustin Lance Black, won best original screenplay.
"This wasn't the easiest movie to produce, you know -- it's pretty gay!" said a grinning Black, who also was honored with the guild's Paul Selvin Award for championing constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Black added that he prayed a lot during the writing of the "Milk" screenplay.
"Mostly, I'll admit, I prayed for a green light," he said. "So I have to thank God, and I want to thank God for making my dreams come true."
In addition to "Milk," nominees in the original screenplay category included "Burn After Reading, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," The Visitor" and "The Wrestler."
In winning the best-adapted laurels, "Slumdog" overcame competition from...
Focus Features' Harvey Milk biopic "Milk," penned by Dustin Lance Black, won best original screenplay.
"This wasn't the easiest movie to produce, you know -- it's pretty gay!" said a grinning Black, who also was honored with the guild's Paul Selvin Award for championing constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Black added that he prayed a lot during the writing of the "Milk" screenplay.
"Mostly, I'll admit, I prayed for a green light," he said. "So I have to thank God, and I want to thank God for making my dreams come true."
In addition to "Milk," nominees in the original screenplay category included "Burn After Reading, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," The Visitor" and "The Wrestler."
In winning the best-adapted laurels, "Slumdog" overcame competition from...
- 2/7/2009
- by By Carl DiOrio and Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Herb Sargent, WGA East president, dies at 81
Herb Sargent, president of the WGA East for the past 14 years and a veteran television scribe whose career ranged from The Victor Borge Show to Saturday Night Live, has died. He was 81. The six-time Emmy Award-winner died Friday in New York. The cause of death was not immediately released. "Herb was exceptionally generous to all writers and brought an unfailing sense of decency and good will to everything he did for the guild," WGAE executive director Mona Mangan said. "And, always, he was gloriously, brilliantly funny. We will miss him terribly."...
- 5/6/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Herb Sargent, WGA East president, dies at 81
Herb Sargent, president of the WGA East for the past 14 years and a veteran television scribe whose career ranged from The Victor Borge Show to Saturday Night Live, has died. He was 81. The six-time Emmy Award-winner died Friday in New York. The cause of death was not immediately released. "Herb was exceptionally generous to all writers and brought an unfailing sense of decency and good will to everything he did for the guild," WGAE executive director Mona Mangan said. "And, always, he was gloriously, brilliantly funny. We will miss him terribly."...
- 5/6/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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