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It was the performance heard ’round the world. Or rather, not heard, but played on tape. Almost 20 years after the second most-famous lip synch scandal in modern pop history — shout out to Milli Vanilli — Ashlee Simpson dropped by the Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen podcast this week to relive that moment in 2004 when her Saturday Night Live debut turned into a car-crash viral moment before such things even existed.
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“I’ve never talked about or said, but it’s like the other thing is, learning as a woman, when you say no, or as an artist or a human or whatever, that day I said ‘I will not go on, I don’t care. I can’t speak,’” Simpson, 39, told the hosts about the night in Oct. 2004 when she was the musical guest on SNL amid serious vocal issues that caused her to lose her voice before showtime.
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After rehearsing the day before, Simpson said she woke up and realized she “couldn’t speak,” because, her doctor told her, she had two nodules on her vocal cords that were “beating against each other.” She explained her dilemma to the SNL team in a handwritten note, but despite telling producers the show could not go on, Simpson said she was asked to perform to pre-recorded vocals. “My band has never practiced this, this is not going to go well,” she said she thought at the time. “I can’t do this.”
Simpson, of course, did perform that night, first coming out to sing the single “Pieces of Me,” which went well. But when she came back to play the title track from her Autobiography album, someone cued up the vocal track from “Pieces” by mistake. Simpson busted out some stilted dance moves and when she was caught with the mic by her side, she and the band looked around confused for several awkward seconds while the singer did a silly shuffle and then walked off stage as the group continued to play the instrumental track and the show cut to commercial. Simpson came back later for the closing credits and said, “My band started playing the wrong song, and I didn’t know what to do, so I thought I’d do a hoedown. I’m sorry. This is live TV. These things happen!”
The mortifying moment taught Simpson the “power of my no,” she told the podcast hosts, as well as “the power of me saying absolutely not… that’s what I would go back and say.” To be sure, Simpson said it was a “humbling” incident for her at a time when she had a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart and a top five single with “Pieces of Me.”
“It was like everything was about to go somewhere and then it was just like, whoa, the humility of not even understanding what grown-ass people would say about you… awful, awful things,” Simpson said of the first, and only, time a musical guest had walked off SNL during a performance. Through that trial-by-fire, though, Simpson said she learned to tune all the noise out and find her strength and move on, while, luckily, also avoiding throat surgery thanks to a vocal coach who “saved my life.”
The clip went so viral at the time, though, that one of the friends who was with Simpson that night — and who joined her on the podcast — said when they visited a New York deli the next day in the midst of the Iraq war “everyone around us was talking about it… it was so surreal and such a ginormous moment.” Though she released two more albums, 2005’s I Am Me and 2008’s Bittersweet World, and starred as Roxie Hart in three different productions of the musical Chicago in 2006, 2009 and 2013, Simpson’s musical career never regained that initial peak following the SNL fiasco.
To this day, Simpson said people still ask her about it and she can’t forget the important lesson she learned that night. “I think having to find at a young age that strength to be like, ‘I am good at this and I will keep going, and I will keep fighting,’” she said, noting that she came back to SNL a second time a year later and she can’t find the video. “I’ve searched and searched for that performance. I was really nervous when I was on there and I can’t find it anywhere,” she said.
Though she’s been off the music radar for years, the singer recently told US that she’s starting to work on the re-release of her debut album and may fill it out with additional tracks. “I’m going to celebrate that album,” she said. “Maybe I’ll go in and redo some of the songs, but I’m definitely going to do a performance around the anniversary.”
Watch Simpson discuss her SNL incident below (beginning at 45:00 mark).
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Ayo Edebiri is poking fun at herself on Saturday Night Live.
The Emmy-winning The Bear actress, who hosted the Feb. 3 episode of the iconic NBC comedy show, appeared in the sketch “Why’d You Say It,” where game show contestants are asked to explain why they left unsavory comments on other people’s Instagram posts.
After being grilled by the game show’s host (played by SNL cast member Kenan Thompson) about why she left the comment “Die” under a video post where actress Drew Barrymore is enjoying a rainy day, Edebiri’s character Annie tries to give excuses for her negative reaction before finally admitting the truth.
“I meant die, like I’m dying! I love this vid so much,” she says while being interrupted by a wrong answer buzzer. “I meant slay, but I forgot the word. I saw someone being happy and wanted them to feel the exact opposite.”
Thompson quickly responds, “That’s close but it’s not the right answer,” to which Edebiri finally gives the correct reply. “I’m alone a lot, some days I don’t even interact with another human being. And I start wondering, am I dead? Is life even real? So I post comments that I think will get a response from someone because that’s the only way to be certain I am alive.”
Later in the skit, Edebiri’s Annie breaks down and seemingly addresses comments she made in real life about Jennifer Lopez — who also appeared as the SNL episode’s musical guest — during a 2020 appearance on the podcast Scam Goddess, where she told host Laci Mosley that J.Lo’s music career was “one long scam.”
“OK, OK! We get it. It’s wrong to leave mean comments or post comments just for clout — or run your mouth on a podcast and you don’t consider the impact because you’re 24 and stupid,” Edebiri’s Annie says in the sketch. “But I think I speak for everyone when I say, from now on, we’re going to be a lot more thoughtful about what we post online.”
Watch the “Why’d You Say It” SNL skit 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.
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Jennifer Lopez delivered another pair of standout performances on Saturday Night Live. During her Feb. 3 appearance on the iconic NBC sketch comedy show, hosted by Emmy-winning The Bear star Ayo Edebiri, the 54-year-old superstar singer and actress performed two songs from her upcoming ninth studio album, This Is Me… Now. For her first dazzling […]
Jennifer Lopez is performing on Saturday Night Live this weekend — or will it be J.Lo?
In promos for Saturday’s new episode, this week’s host — first-timer Ayo Edebiri — introduces Lopez as the musical guest, much to SNL castmember Heidi Gardner’s disappointment.
“Nuts, I thought it was going to be J.Lo!” Gardner laments.
“I am J.Lo,” Lopez informs her, to which Gardner replies, “Lady, she just said your name was Jennifer Lopez.”
After explaining that J.Lo is short for Jennifer Lopez, Edebiri says that her name Ayo is actually short for “I owned the first combination Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins.” “Really?” a stunned Gardner asks. “No,” Edebiri admits.
Elsewhere in the promos, Lopez tells Edebiri she’s really excited to share the episode because “I love your show” — referencing the actress’ Emmy-winning dramedy series The Bear. “I love your everything,” Edebiri shoots back. What does Gardner love? “A brisk fall morning where the light is just beginning to paint the landscape.”
Later, Gardner suggests the trio do “something really funny together this week,” to which Edebiri suggests locking SNL castmember Bowen Yang in a green room. “I already did that this morning,” Lopez says. “Oh, I meant like a sketch — is he OK?” Gardner worries.
While this marks Edebiri’s first time hosting, it will be Lopez’s fourth time on the show — once as the musical guest, once as the host, and twice pulling double-duty in 2001 and 2010.
Lopez is promoting her upcoming ninth studio album, This Is Me… Now, which serves as a sequel to 2002’s This Is Me… Then. Last month, she released the project’s first single, “Can’t Get Enough,” followed by a remix with Latto. In January, Edebiri took home the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her role as Sydney in The Bear as well as the Golden Globe for best actress – television series musical or comedy.
Watch the new promos below.
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Ayo Edebiri is taking over the Saturday Night Live stage for the first time this weekend (Feb. 10) and she had to give the less-than-energetic cast a little inspiration in a hilarious new promo released on Wednesday (Jan. 31). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the […]
Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon are bringing the spirit of legendary pop trio the Bee Gees back to Studio 8H.
After debuting the “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” on Saturday Night Live more than two decades ago, the longtime pals revisited the hilarious sketch once again during Dakota Johnson-hosted episode on Jan. 27.
The hilarious sibling duo opened their show with a politically-themed version of Bee Gees top 10 hit “Nights on Broadway.” They followed by welcoming their guests — justice correspondent Elie Mystal (played by SNL cast member Kenan Thompson), Forward Party founder Andrew Yang (Bowen Yang) and political influencer Joanne Carducci (Johnson) — for a chaotic discussion about the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Decked out in ’70s chic attire, the “Selfish” singer once again portrayed quiet Bee Gees member Robin Gibb while the Tonight Show host played his boisterous bandmate and brother, Barry Gibb. This marked the first “Barry Gibb Talk Show” sketch since 2013. It first debuted in 2003.
It didn’t take long for the Gibbs to interrupt their guests with sporadic harmonies and random inappropriate outbursts. Fallon’s Gibb even managed to throw in a reference about the 2023 black comedy Saltuburn.
“I fear nothing. I watched Saltburn with my entire family, and I knew about the bathtub scene beforehand. And I loved it,” Fallon’s character says after insulting Thompson’s Mystal.
The brothers followed the line with an awkward song set to the tune of Bees Gees classic “Stayin’ Alive.” “Ha, ha, ha, ha, lickin’ a drain, humpin’ a drain,” they harmonized.
Elsewhere during Saturday’s episode, Timberlake and Fallon awkwardly crashed Johnson’s monologue. JT served as the evening’s musical guest, performing two tracks — “Sanctified” and “Selfish” — from his upcoming sixth solo album, Everything I Thought It Was. The set is scheduled for release on March 15.
Watch the “The Barry Gibb Talk Show: 2024 Election” SNL sketch 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.
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Justin Timberlake delivered a pair of new songs from his upcoming album during his return to Saturday Night Live on Jan. 27.
The 42-year-old pop star and actor served as musical guest for the fifth time as a solo artist, showing off his soulful vocals alongside host Dakota Johnson on the latest episode of the long-running NBC sketch comedy show.
After making a cameo in his Social Network co-star’s monologue, JT opened with his just-released single “Selfish,” which will appear on his upcoming sixth solo album, Everything I Thought It Was. The singer unveiled the song earlier this month at his hometown concert in Memphis.
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“So if I get jealous, I can’t help it/ I want every bit of you, I guess I’m selfish,” Timberlake sings on the silky-smooth R&B song. “It’s bad for my mental, but I can’t fight it.”
For his second song, with an introduction from longtime pal and sketch partner-in-crime Jimmy Fallon, the superstar debuted the brand new gospel-flavored tracked “Sanctified,” featuring Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe. The energetic performance included a full band and backup dancers.
EITIW is scheduled to drop on March 15. The forthcoming set follows 2018’s Man of the Woods, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Later in the episode, Timberlake joined SNL alum Fallon for another hilarious edition of “The Barry Gibb Talk Show.”
The 10-time Grammy winner is no stranger to Studio 8H at 30 Rock. He joined SNL‘s Five-Timers Club in March 2013, with two of those times when he pulled double duty as musical guest as well. Timberlake has also earned four Emmys through his work on the show, including outstanding original music and lyrics for his “Di– in a Box” music video with Lonely Island. His last performance on SNL was in December 2013.
Watch Timberlake’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.
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Can you tell Justin Timberlake how to get to Sesame Street?
In promos for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, musical guest Timberlake is joined by host Dakota Johnson and SNL‘s Sarah Sherman, and the quirky castmember is lamenting her “Oscar snub.”
“Sorry, I’m just still sad about my Oscar snub,” Sherman says after seeming down.
As Johnson comforts Sherman, Timberlake wonders: “Wait, what movie were you in?”
“No, not that kind of Oscar snub,” Sherman clarifies. “I asked Oscar the Grouch out, and he said, ‘Sorry, honey: I live in the trash, I don’t date it.’”
“You know what?” Timberlake says angrily, invoking the lyrics of the PBS kids’ show’s famous theme song. “Just tell me how to get to Sesame Street and I will beat his a–!”
Elsewhere in the promos, Sherman marvels that “three of the hottest people in the world are on television right now at the same time!” Plus, Sherman promises to bring “SexyBack” — just like Timberlake famously did on his 2006 seven-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit — with a “sketch where our heads explode.” Johnson is onboard: “That’s hot.”
Timberlake has spent a lot of time on the Saturday Night Live stage, doing double-duty as host and musical guest three times, as well as hosting twice and performing once with *NSYNC and once on his own. He’s also earned four Emmys through his SNL work, including outstanding original music and lyrics for his “Di– in a Box” music video with Lonely Island. Timberlake’s last performance on the show was in December 2013.
JT will likely perform his just-released song “Selfish” on Saturday night, the lead single from his upcoming sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was, but it’s unclear whether he’ll live-debut a second song from the March 15 project or play something we already know.
This will be Johnson’s second time hosting, after her February 2015 debut.
Watch the new promos below, and tune in to NBC or Peacock on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT to catch Johnson and Timberlake’s episode.
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Reneé Rapp is taking a little break from music to brush on her lip-reading skills. The 24-year-old Mean Girls star, who made her musical guest debut during Saturday Night Live on Jan. 20, joined host and Saltburn star Jacob Elordi in a hilarious sketch about “professional lip-readers” who attempt to decipher secret conversations between celebrity […]
Renée Rapp‘s Saturday Night Live debut was full of surprises.
The 24-year-old singer and actress, who reprises her Broadway role as Regina George in the new box office-topping Mean Girls movie musical, showed off her powerful pipes and threw in some unexpected moments while appearing as musical guest during the iconic sketch comedy show’s first episode of 2024 on Jan. 20.
With an introduction from SNL host and Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Rapp opened with a memorable delivery of “Snow Angel,” the title track from her 2023 debut album, which peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard 200. Sporting a white corset with a matching blazer and dress, she opened the musical number by impressively singing while lying flat on her back. She eventually rose up and finished the powerful track with the aid of a full backing band.
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Later in the show, Rapp returned with a surprise intro from Rachel McAdams, who played Regina George in the original Mean Girls from 2004. The singer then launched into an upbeat performance of “Not My Fault,” her collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, which appears on the soundtrack of the new Mean Girls movie musical adaptation. Halfway through, the superstar rapper made a cameo from a large-sized pink cake in the middle of the stage.
Earlier in the week, Rapp was announced as a performer at this year’s Coachella, billed just under headliners Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator and Doja Cat.
Elordi’s SNL hosting gig, meanwhile, follows his starring turns in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla and Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, which recently earned him a pair of BAFTA Film Award nods for best actor in a supporting role and rising star.
Next up, Justin Timberlake will make his SNL return on Jan. 27. He’ll be the musical guest for the fifth time as a solo artist. Dakota Johnson will be returning to host that evening for a second time.
Watch Rapp’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.
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