NOTE FROM YOUR UNCLE GRAMBO: For five years now, Jason Nummer has been covering the SNL beat for whatevs (dot org). In that time, both he and H-Bomb (who retired after the 2005-2006 season) have been lauded for their constructive critiques of the show, mainly because they refuse to fall into either of the two main divisions of SNL fans — those that blindly support all things Lorne vs. those that constantly have the show on Death Watch. Through a fortunate series of occurences, both Nummer and his fiancée Jenn were able to attend BOTH the dress rehearsal and live broadcast of Saturday Night Live’s 2/10/07 episode, featuring host Forest Whitaker and musical guest Keith Urban. What follows is a recounting of their experiences that evening … enjoy!

We arrived at Rockefeller Center around 6:30 PM on that legendary Saturday, as Dress Rehearsals begin promptly at 8pm. As you are taken up to Studio 8H, you wait in a long hallway littered with endless amounts of framed pictures featuring past hosts and classic SNL moments going back to Season 1. Waiting here also provides a glimpse into the working atmosphere of SNL. Andy Samberg darts by into a hallway where Seth Meyers’ dressing room is visible. Writers walk past carrying scripts marked with circles and arrows. SNL band leader Lenny Pickett escorts what I’m guessing was his family into the studio. I absorb it all in like a drug fiend.

Jumping ahead to the live show, we’re ushered into the studio around 10:50 PM. Walking into 8H and seeing all the sets, stage hands and Lorne Michaels (!!!) scurrying around below you is amazing. On the main stage where Whitaker will soon be giving his monologue, Pickett and the Saturday Night Live Band (with Christine Ohlman on vocals) begin a 20 minute set of bluesy warm-up music while the rest of the audience members find their seats.

Read the entire entry …

Share This

While the specific chain of events that led up to Kristen Wiig’s mysterious midseason ascension into the cast of “SNL” back in November 2005 remain a mystery, nary an episode since has gone by that didn’t feature at least one or two jaw-droppingly best Wiig moments. Whether it’s her original characters like the Target Lady (”Approved!”) or Aunt Linda (”I give ‘Flushed Away’ an ‘Oh, Boy’ and a ‘Ghaa’”) or her spot-on impressions of Judy Garland and Megan Mullaly, Wiig has proven herself to be Lorne’s veritable ace-in-the-hole for her ability to seemlessly blend into any skit or segment. And don’t even get me started on her run of triumphant moments as the fairer half of the Two A-Holes (”You look like a rabbit”)! I know that her character is supposed to be repulsive, but there’s DEFINITELY something in her portrayal of upper-class bitchiness that gets your Uncle Grambo’s heart a flutterin’.

The evidence is undeniable, folks. Wiig is an certified Grade-A comedienne who’s also really easy on the eyes. While she doesn’t have the type of classic features that will land her the cover of lady-rags like Elle or In Style, there’s no doubt in my mind that she’s one of the most attractive women on television. The combination of her intelligence, confidence and winning good looks (hubba!) makes for a very compelling case to stay in on Saturday nights. Wiig … so, so best.

Share This