saturday night live

07 Oct 2024

SNL’s Marcello Hernandez Shares the Secret to a Perfect Bad Bunny Impression With Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey

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Marcello Hernandez has brought a new energy to Saturday Night Live as the breakout star to join the show’s latest cast of comedians. As a result, the 26-year-old has teamed up with some of his favorite Latin music artists including Bad Bunny (who he most recently impersonated) and Karol G. In celebration of the comedy sketch show’s 50th season as well as Hispanic Heritage Month, Hernandez is raising a glass to his achievements in a new campaign with Buchanan Scotch Whiskey.

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The #ComoLoDigas campaign looks to celebrate and display the various ways that Buchanan’s 200% fans pronounce (and enjoy) the beverage, while demonstrating that “what may differentiate Latinos in language unites them in community,” the brand says in a press statement.

As a fellow 200%-er, the #ComoLoDigas campaign also has a personal connection for the actor.

“One of the reasons that it’s been a really cool experience to work with Buchanon’s is the 200% campaign, which is just highlighting people that are 100% their culture or their parents’ culture, and then also 100% American,” Hernandez says in an interview with Billboard. “I think a lot of first-generation people like myself can relate to that.”

SNL's Marcello Hernández and Chef Manolo Lopez celebrate the new #ComoLoDigas Buchanan's Whisky's Campaign at the soft opening of Café Colmado.

SNL‘s Marcello Hernández and Chef Manolo Lopez celebrate the new #ComoLoDigas Buchanan’s Whisky’s Campaign at the soft opening of Café Colmado.

José “Tutes” Tutivén

Keep reading to shop the whiskey and learn more about Hernandez’s experience as a cast member on SNL — including his secret to the perfect Bad Bunny impression as well as what he’s most excited for when Ariana Grande takes over hosting duties.

Choosing Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey seemed like a natural choice for the comedian as it was a go-to for his family.

“You spend a lot of time when you’re younger not drinking,” he says. “When you get old enough to drink, you just want something that’s familiar. I think that this was really familiar to me because of the family parties I used to go to. It’s like a household name, if you will.”

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Buchanan’s 12 Year Blended Scotch

This 12-year-old blend promises to deliver citrus and honey notes through its 80 proof blend. You can drink it on the rocks or mix it with your preferred ingredients for a smooth and satisfying drink.

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Total Wine

Buchanan’s Pineapple Blended Scotch

For an added touch of flavor, go for a tropical twist with Buchanan’s Pineapple Blended Scotch. In addition to fruity notes, you’ll also taste vanilla and caramel for a sweet flavorful taste with every sip.

His preferred way to take the drink is just a simple mix that avoids sugar: a splash of soda in a glass.

square-shaped whiskey glasses

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Part of the reason Buchanan’s tapped Hernandez to be the face of the campaign was through their effort to bring younger Lantino Americans into the forefront — especially as Latino culture and language in the U.S. has evolved over the years. The campaign also hopes to unite the different communities within the culture by celebrating 200% pride and uniting everyone no matter what form (or sound). Within the campaign video, the brand spotlights the various ways in which people have been pronouncing “Buchanan’s” over the years “based on their country of origin, cultural slang or even the neighborhoods they live in, ensuring the love for Buchanan’s Whisky remains, no matter the pronunciation.”

Latino culture in the U.S. and language have evolved over the years, with younger Latino Americans celebrating our nuances, not to create division, but rather to celebrate 200% pride and uniting us no matter what form (or sound) it takes. Launching during Hispanic Heritage Month, the campaign is inspired by the various ways different communities

Below, ShopBillboard chats with Hernandez more about life as a cast member on SNL, his favorite artists and what he looks forward to most when Grande takes over as host.

You just had the premiere for the 50th season. Compared to last season, what was different about this premiere experience?

Well, this year we had Maya [Rudolph] and Andy Sandberg and Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvie, who all stopped by to play characters of the Presidential race. Having them there set the tone for what season this is going to be and show you how important it is. I just think it’s beautiful, the relationship that people that have graduated from the show still have with it.

You also did a Bad Bunny impression for the premiere. Did he know about it beforehand?

I didn’t tell him, but I did keep him in mind. I didn’t want to ruin the little relationship that we do have, but it was fun. He’s somebody that before I met him, I was just a huge fan. It’s fun to dress up like somebody that you’re fan of.

What do you think is the secret to the perfect Bad Bunny impression?

I think there’s probably different ways to do it, whether he’s on stage versus off stage. Off stage he’s definitely not like a a crazy loud person, maybe the way I am, so maybe turning myself down a couple notches and being a little more chill. He has a grace to him that is fun to watch, and it’s hard to throw him off.

And then looking forward, Ariana Grande is supposed to be hosting soon — any dream sketches with her?

I don’t know if I have any dream sketches, but I do know that when I was 12 or 13, my family and I did a trip to LA, and we were at a restaurant and we saw her. Back then, my sister and I would probably watch her on Victorius and I remember just being like,”we have to take a picture with her.”

We did. There’s this really old picture of really young me with Ariana. Any sketch that we do together will feel like a full circle moment.

Are there any musical guests you’re looking forward to seeing?

Personally, all I listen to is Latin music. I think just having any Latin artist come by would be beautiful and would definitely have me dancing at 8H.

Check below to watch the official campaign video for the Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey.

03 Oct 2024

Chris Martin & Co. Think Kenan Thompson Looks Pretty Great for Being on ‘SNL’ 50 Years: ‘Thanks, Coldplay’

When Saturday Night Live debuted in 1975, Kenan Thompson wasn’t even born yet — but Coldplay and Nate Bargatze think the longtime castmember has always been on the show.

“So Kenan, you have been on the show 50 whole years,” Bargatze says to Thompson in new promos for this weekend’s episode. “That’s amazing. How does it feel? … You had to be, what, 10 when it started?”

“You think I’m 60 years old?” Thompson says in disbelief.

“You look amazing for your age!” Bargatze adds, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin chiming in “You really do,” as his bandmates nod along.

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“Aw, thanks, Coldplay,” Thompson says.

Sure, Thompson is the longest-tenured castmember in the show’s history — joining in 2003 and now in his 21st season on the sketch comedy show — but he’s just 46 years old, so he missed a few of the early years. (Fun fact: Thompson was the first regular castmember to be born after the show’s 1975 premiere.)

Elsewhere in the promos, Thompson pokes fun at his long tenure. “This is what I love about SNL,” Thompson says. “People from all over the world coming together to put on a show.”

“I’m from America!” Bargatze says, while Martin adds, “We’re from not America!” Then Thompson admits: “I’m from just behind the door, right over there. Born and raised. All my life, right here.”

Coldplay are returning to the show for an eighth time as musical guest, promoting their brand-new album Moon Music, out Friday. Comedian Bargatze is returning as host for a second time after making his SNL debut last year.

SNL season 50 premiered last weekend, with Jean Smart hosting and Jelly Roll as musical guest.

Watch Bargatze and Coldplay’s Saturday Night Live promos below, and catch the new episode on Saturday (Oct. 5) at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC, before it streams on Peacock.

29 Sep 2024

Jelly Roll Lifts Audience With ‘Liar’ & ‘Winning Streak’ Performances on ‘SNL’ Season 50 Premiere: Watch

Jelly Roll brought a pair of new tracks during his musical guest debut on the season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live.

The 39-year-old country singer and rapper brought positive energy to Studio 8H on Sept. 28, performing new songs “Liar” and “Winning Streak,” both of which will appear on his upcoming album, Beautifully Broken, set for release on Oct. 11.

Jelly’s first performance featured an introduction from host Jean Smart, who brought out her Hacks co-star Hannah Einbender to assist. Donning a gray denim jacket with a black shirt and dark pants, the country star showed off his impressive vocals with “Liar,” a bold song about confronting addiction and the emptiness of materialism. He previously debuted the single at the ACM Awards in May.

For his second SNL performance, Jelly — whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord — lifted the audience with a powerfully delivery of “Winning Streak,” which he’s previously described as a track about attending an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. Similar to his first performance, the artist surrounded himself with his band and singers on each side of him.

The next SNL on Oct. 5 will see comedian Nate Bargatze returning as host for a second straight season with Coldplay back as musical guest for an eighth time on the long-running show. The Chris Martin-fronted band first performed on the show in 2001, and their most recent appearance was in 2023.

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Watch Jelly Roll’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.

29 Sep 2024

Bowen Yang’s Moo Deng Channels Chappell Roan on ‘SNL’ Premiere: ‘I’m Your Favorite Hippo’s Favorite Hippo’

While Chappell Roan has been very serious about her pleas to fans to respect her personal space, Saturday Night Live found a way to make light of the situation on this weekend’s season 50 premiere by likening the red-hot pop star to Moo Deng, the 2-month-old pygmy hippo living at a zoo in Thailand.

On Saturday night’s Weekend Update, Bowen Yang portrayed the viral hippo, who confided in Colin Jost about how hard it was to have the world’s attention on her and have zoogoers throwing bananas and shellfish at her.

“The response has been overwhelming, but it has come to the point that I have to set some boundaries,” Yang said, going on to paraphrase Roan’s words. “Reminder: Women owe you nothing. When I’m in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer’s knee, I am at work. That is the project. Do not yell my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial bestie or because you appreciate my talent.”

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In August, the “Good Luck, Babe!” singer made headlines for speaking out against toxic fan behavior, detailing experiences with stalking and crossed boundaries that she’s faced over the past few months. “I’ve been in too many nonconsensual physical and social interactions and I just need to lay it out and remind you, women don’t owe you sh–,” she wrote at the time in an Instagram post. “I chose this career path because because I love music and art and honoring my inner child, I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it.”

Yang as Moo Deng went on to joke: “Before me, the only hippos in media were either Hungry, Hungry or Jada Pinkett in Madagascar. But now, I’m your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo.”

When Jost suggested that Yang’s Moo Deng sounded a lot like Chappell Roan, the Weekend Update host asked if she even knew who Roan was. “I’m 10 weeks old, Colin. Of course I know Chappell Roan,” Yang said. “And by the way, leave her alone! Let her take as much time as she needs for her mental health.”

On Friday, Roan dropped out of her scheduled performances at the All Things Go festival in both New York and Maryland, writing in a message on her Instagram Story, “I apologize to people who have been waiting to see me in NYC & DC this weekend at All Things Go, but I am unable to perform. Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it. I feel pressures to prioritize a lot of things right now and I need a few days to prioritize my health. I want to be present when I perform and give the best shows possible.”

On SNL, Moo Deng also mirrored Roan’s comments about why she wouldn’t endorse a presidential candidate. “I know I’m only 10 weeks old, but this is very important to me so please listen: I will not be making an endorsement in this year’s election.” Roan recently said she would not be endorsing anyone in the U.S. presidential election, but then later clarified that she would be voting for Kamala Harris after fan backlash.

The Weekend Update segment wasn’t Yang’s only reference to Roan in Saturday’s episode: In a sketch later in the night, Yang referred to the classic show I Love Lucy as a “femininomenon,” borrowing the name of a Chappell Roan song.

Watch Yang as Moo Deng below:

27 Sep 2024

Jelly Roll Wants to Know as Maya Rudolph Crashes ‘SNL’ Promos: ‘You OK, Maya?’

In promos for the season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live, former castmember Maya Rudolph is making her presence known.

Musical guest Jelly Roll and host Jean Smart — both making their SNL debuts this weekend — are joined by castmember Marcello Hernandez in the new promos, but there was one more on the way.

“You never know who will show up,” Smart teases after introducing herself and Jelly. “Did someone say ‘show up’?” Rudolph asks as she slides into frame. “Yes, yes, I did say ‘show up,’” Smart concedes, to which Rudolph replies, “Oh good. I was hoping someone would say ‘show up.’ So I could show up.”

“You OK, Maya?” the country singer/songwriter asks. “I’m not sure, Jelly,” Rudolph earnestly answers.

Elsewhere in the promos, Hernandez proves he knows the word “palpable” (and that he read at least one book this summer), while the 73-year-old Hacks star gets offended when Hernandez asks what it was like when SNL premiered 50 years ago (“Why the hell you asking me?”).

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After Jelly and Jean’s episode this weekend, the SNL season 50 lineup continues on Oct. 5, when comedian Nate Bargatze will host and Coldplay will be the musical guest; followed by the Oct. 12 show with Ariana Grande hosting and Stevie Nicks performing; then Michael Keaton hosts with Billie Eilish as musical guest on Oct. 19; and Nov. 2 will see John Mulaney hosting and Chappell Roan performing for the first time.

Watch Jean Smart and Jelly Roll’s Saturday Night Live promos below, and catch the season 50 premiere on Saturday (Sept. 28) at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC, before it streams on Peacock.

18 Sep 2024

Ariana Grande Returns to Host as Jelly Roll, Chappell Roan & More Announced as First ‘SNL’ Season 50 Musical Guests

Talent for the first five episodes for Saturday Night Live‘s 50th season were announced on Wednesday (Sept. 18), with Ariana Grande returning as host on Oct. 12.

The first episode of the landmark season on Sept. 28 will feature Hacks star Jean Smart as host joined by first-time musical guest Jelly Roll. Somehow, the six-time Emmy-winning Smart — who just won outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for a third straight time for her portrayal of Deborah Vance on the HBO/Max series — has never hosted SNL previously.

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The next show on Oct. 5 will see comedian Nate Bargatze returning as host for a second straight season with Coldplay back as musical guest for a seventh time on the long-running show. The Chris Martin-fronted band first performed on the show in 2001, and their most recent appearance was in 2023.

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Episode 3 on Oct. 12 is where Grande will host again — but she’s not pulling double-duty this time, with Stevie Nicks returning as the musical guest for the first time since her one-and-only performance on the show in 1987. Her band Fleetwood Mac has never performed on the show.

The fourth episode on Oct. 19 will be hosted by Michael Keaton with returning musical guest Billie Eilish, while the Nov. 2 show sees John Mulaney back as host with first-time musical guest Chappell Roan. Eilish has previously been a musical guest twice and pulled double-duty as host and performer once in 2021.

The NBC sketch comedy series is expected to pull out all the stops for its 50th season, after putting together a star-studded special for its 40th a decade ago.

16 Sep 2024

Ariana Grande Recalls Helping Bowen Yang Through a ‘Worrisome’ Rough Patch During ‘Wicked’ Shoot

Bowen Yang can say for sure that he’s been changed for good after becoming friends with Ariana Grande on the set of Wicked last year.

In a new interview with The New Yorker published Monday (Sept. 16), the actor-comedian got candid about struggling with his mental health while shooting the Jon M. Chu-directed musical duology in England throughout 2023, during which he was also flying back and forth to work as a cast member on Saturday Night Live on the weekends. Luckily, there was someone looking out for him during that time.

“This cannot sound anything but name-droppy, but Ariana Grande was reaching out and going, ‘Are you OK? Come over! Let’s just watch a movie. Let’s get you better,’” Yang recalled. “She was there for me in a true way.”

The “Yes, And?” singer also recalled thinking that her friend’s hectic schedule was “worrisome.” “I understand what it feels like to travel back and forth so often and then have to perform the next day, with no time for your body or mind to figure out what’s going on,” Grande told the publication. “It is incredibly hard and unusual. So I just wanted to make sure he had an ear and a hug and the support he needed.”

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The interview comes just a couple months ahead of the first Wicked film’s Nov. 22 premiere. As recently announced, the second installment will come almost exactly one year later.

Just like in real life, Yang and Grande’s characters (a Shiz student named Pfannee and Glinda, respectively) are friends in the Wicked movies, which take inspiration from both the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name. The Fire Island actor has also proven that he’s as much of a ride-or-die for the two-time Grammy winner as she is for him, with Yang coming to her defense on a March episode of his Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.

“The narrative is wrong,” Yang said on the show of last year’s tabloid frenzy surrounding Grande’s romance with another Wicked actor, Ethan Slater. “I can tell you for a fact that what people out there seem to be clinging on to is incorrect.”

“If you think this invites karma, I’m here to tell you, your set of facts – I’m not going to reveal the actual facts, because they’re not mine to reveal,” he continued at the time, directly addressing critics who ran with the unsubstantiated narrative that Grande “home-wrecked” Slater’s relationship with ex-wife Lilly Jay, with whom the Broadway alum shares a young son. “But I can say that the matrix of information that you are using to draw a line to the karmic outcome you want is not existent.”

01 Aug 2024

Maya Rudolph To Return As Kamala Harris On ‘Saturday Night Live’

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With the hype behind Kamala Harris’ presidential run continuing to build momentum (and garnering all kinds of hate), fans have been demanding that comedian Maya Rudolph reprise her role as the current vice president of the United States on SNL. Apparently, she will oblige.

According to Deadline, Maya Rudolph plans on returning to Saturday Night Live to give the Harris campaign a comedic boost until election season is over. With the stakes being as high as they are in this current election cycle—thanks to an orange wannabe dictator who plans on making Project 2025 his blueprint for a new America—Rudolph seems intent on using her comedic powers to help propel Kamala Harris into the White House and making that a priority from now until November.

Deadline reports:

Deadline has learned that pre-production on Season 3 of Rudolph’s Apple TV+ comedy series Loot, which was scheduled to begin filming August 26, has been paused. According to sources, the cast and crew of the comedy series, which Rudolph headlines and executive produces, were told earlier this week that production has been pushed for scheduling reasons.

Maya Rudolph is taking her role in fighting for democracy dead serious, and we love her for it. This is nothing new for Saturday Night Live as they’ve become a target for far-right trolls who feel they use their platform to clown their orange overlord and his disciples while propping up his political rivals.

SNL previously employed a similar stunt-casting strategy in the lead-up to the 2020 Presidential election with Jim Carrey and Rudolph playing Joe Biden and Harris from the start of the TV season in early October through December. Carrey relocated to New York, where SNL is based, for the duration.

Jim Carrey as Joe Biden was hella funny though.

Now that Kamala Harris is the main focus of this year’s presidential campaign, it will be interesting to see how Maya Rudolph re-introduces herself when SNL returns to the airwaves on Sept. 28.

Are you excited about Maya Rudolph’s return as Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live? Let us know in the comments section below.

06 Jun 2024

Eight Satirical Songs From ‘Saturday Night Live’ Are Vying for 2024 Emmy Nods: Watch Them Here

Saturday Night Live has no fewer than eight songs in contention for outstanding original music & lyrics at this year’s Primetime Emmy Creative Arts Awards. The roster includes Maya Rudolph’s “Mothers Day Monologue,” in which she sings a “Vogue”-inspired song that pays tribute to the women of SNL as she strides through Studio 8H, and “Dune Popcorn Bucket,” in which the show that gave us “Dick in a Box” tries to top itself.

Four of the videos accompanying these songs feature major recording stars. Chris Stapleton shows personality and an unexpected flair for comedy in “Get That Boy Back.” Travis Scott is featured in “We Got Too High,” in which three kids are try in vain to keep up with the rap star’s marijuana use. Billie Eilish has some silly fun in “Tampon Farm.” Dave Grohl has a cameo as a minister at the end of “Lake Beach.”

These catchy and satirical songs are overseen by SNL’s music director Eli Brueggemann (who won in this category in 2018 for co-writing “Come Back Barack”) and music producer Jake Procanik.

Three SNL songs have won in this category over the years – “Dick in a Box,” the 2007 song from a Justin Timberlake-hosted episode that somehow managed to be both audacious and kinda sweet at the same time; “Justin Timberlake Monologue” (2011), in which JT sings a song about how he absolutely won’t sing that night; and “Come Back Barack,” a Boyz II Men-style ballad from a Chance the Rapper-hosted episode about how people in the Donald Trump years missed his more even-keeled predecessor.

SNL is currently tied with the annual Tony Awards telecast for having the most winners in this category. Three songs from the Tonys, all performed by host Neil Patrick Harris, won the award in 2012-14 – “It’s Not Just for Gays Anymore,” a sensational opening number from the 2011 show; “If I Had Time,” a very clever closing number from the 2012 show; and “Bigger!,” from the 2013 show, quite possibly the biggest opening number on any awards show ever. Who said less is more?

The outstanding original music & lyrics category originated in 1970. Notable winners over the years have included EGOT recipients Marvin Hamlisch and Robert Lopez; Broadway powerhouses Kander & Ebb and Lin-Manuel Miranda; Hot 100 chart-toppers Timberlake, Melanie, Walter Murphy, David Paich (Toto) and Ed Sheeran; and TV stars Seth MacFarlane, Sarah Silverman, Seth Meyers and Kenan Thompson.

Nominations for the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced on July 17. The 2024 Creative Arts Emmys will be held on Sept. 7-8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The primetime Emmy telecast will be held on Sept. 15 at the same venue.

Here you can watch the eight SNL songs that are in contention for this year’s Primetime Emmy for outstanding original music & lyrics.

20 May 2024

Sabrina Carpenter Says She’s ‘So Not Chill’ About Making Her ‘Saturday Night Live’ Debut

Sabrina Carpenter is amped up after making her Saturday Night Live debut, and it’s not just because of all that “me espresso” she’s been drinking.

Following her first-ever performance on the show Saturday (May 18), the 25-year-old singer shared her excitement the next day on Instagram. “literally working late cuz I’m a singer,” she joked, captioning a clip of her performing her hit single “Espresso” on the SNL stage the night prior.

Carpenter added, “@nbcsnl thank you for having us I’m sooooo not chill about it and never will be.”

In addition to “Espresso” — which recently peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the rising pop star’s first-ever top 10 hit — Carpenter sang a medley of two of her Emails I Can’t Send standouts, “Feather” and “Nonsense.” For the latter, the Work It actress improvised one of her famous NSFW outros, singing, “He is 30 Rock-hard ’cause I said ‘hi’/ My sense of humor is but I am not dry/ SNL I just came for the first time.”

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She also appeared as Daphne alongside the night’s host, Jake Gyllenhaal, in a Scooby Doo-themed skit during the episode. In spite of what some fans predicted, the installment featured no allusions to the two stars’ mutual connection, Taylor Swift, who befriended Carpenter on the Latin America, Asia and Australian legs of her Eras Tour more than a decade after dating the Brokeback Mountain actor.

The May 18 show marked SNL‘s season 49 finale, meaning the series won’t resume until the fall. A week prior, Vampire Weekend performed on the Maya Rudolph-hosted episode, before which Dua Lipa did double duty as musical guest and host.

See Carpenter’s post below.