My Interview With Ashley Padilla

I had the best time talking to Ashley Padilla, one of my favorite Saturday Night Live cast members. We discussed her time at the Groundlings and her memories of working for Diane Keaton. You can read my piece here.  

(Photo by Sela Shiloni.)  

'Lorne' Review

Does the world need another movie about Saturday Night Live? Lorne, a documentary about SNL creator Lorne Michaels, thinks so. I disagree: My review is up at the A.V. Club. 

My Interview With Rowan Haber and Julia Sweeney for 'We Are Pat'

Perhaps you remember "It's Pat," a series of popular Saturday Night Live sketches Julia Sweeney did back in the early 1990s, in which she played the androgynous, awkward Pat, who constantly provoked confusion: Was Pat a he or a she?  

We Are Pat is a new documentary that examines the character's legacy, and how Pat has impacted the LGBTQ+ community. For Cracked, I had a long conversation with We Are Pat director Rowan Haber (as well as Sweeney) as we discussed "problematic" comedy, trans humor, and Sweeney's SNL memories. We got into a lot of topics: Hope you enjoy.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Saturday Night,' 'The Apprentice' and 'La Haine'

How did Saturday Night Live become Saturday Night Live? How did Donald Trump turn into Donald Trump? Two movies try to answer those questions, and we reviewed them both on the podcast this week. Then, in our Reboot segment, we look back at 1995's La Haine. Hear the whole thing down below.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Joker 2,' 'Will & Harper' and 'The Dead'

No surprise that we didn't like the Joker sequel, although it inspired some interesting conversation. On this week's episode, we also discussed the well-intentioned but flawed Netflix documentary Will & Harper and went back to 1987 to assess John Huston's The Dead. Hear the whole thing down below.

'Saturday Night': What Parts of the Film Are Real? And Which Are Invented?

This Friday, Saturday Night opens in theaters. For Cracked, I did a little fact-checking of this comedy-drama, which looks back at the tense behind-the-scenes preparations before the airing of the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live. Hope you enjoy.

Michael Bolton's Journey From Punchline to Hip Comedy Icon

Everything that once was uncool will eventually become cool. Take Michael Bolton, whose music was initially ridiculed by hipsters. But now? He's buddies with Andy Samberg. I explored that unlikely transformation over at Cracked.

On Emma Stone's Incredible 2023

I'm here to talk about Poor Things and The Curse, both of which are remarkable in their own way. But those are only two things that have recently demonstrated Emma Stone's creative dexterity. Read on.

When Beyonce Brought "Single Ladies" to 'Saturday Night Live'

I haven't seen Beyonce's new concert film yet, but for Cracked I did write about her last appearance on Saturday Night Live, which was 15 years ago. She stole the show, just by being herself. My piece is here.

My Interview With Paul Briganti, Director of 'Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain'

Paul Briganti has worked over at Saturday Night Live for a few years, hooking up with the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy. He's now directed their first film and moved to Los Angeles for the next chapter of his life. I talked to him about all that for Cracked.

My Interview With Anna Drezen

Anna Drezen was one of the head writers over at Saturday Night Live. Then, she decided to leave the show (and New York) to move to Los Angeles to create the adult animated series Praise Petey. Now that the first season is over, I talked to her about her new life, her new job, and her panic garden. Hope you enjoy.

The Legacy of George Michael's "Faith" Video

George Michael wanted to change his image. Dana Carvey thought the "Faith" video was funny. For Cracked, I wrote about the long cultural shadow of the musician's butt-shaking clip.

I Miss the Jason Sudeikis of "Two A-Holes"

This may have been the last season of Ted Lasso. I only saw the first season, which I didn't love, but I have a suggestion for what he should do next. My tribute to his underrated Saturday Night Live recurring character is over at Cracked.

Happy "Motherlover" Day

Every Mother's Day needs a Mother's Night. I wrote about the Lonely Island banger (sorry) for Cracked.

My Interview With Michaela Watkins

I had such a fun time talking to Michaela Watkins, an actress and improv performer whose bio says, “I’m that gal from that thing that you watched.” She's everywhere, and she'll be in several things this spring, including Paint and You Hurt My Feelings. For Cracked, we had a long conversation about Julia Louis-Dreyfus, doing impersonations, her tough time at Saturday Night Live, getting older, missing her friend Lynn Shelton, and how she failed in her mission to be a slut. Hope you enjoy.

How 'Saturday Night Live' Made Us Hear "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" Differently

"More Cowbell" isn't just the name of a sketch, it became a euphemism for the excesses of 1970s hard rock. It also made Blue Oyster Cult's big hit seem awfully silly. I looked back at "The Reaper" for Cracked.

When 'Saturday Night Live' Stars Get Serious

For Cracked, I picked the finest dramatic work from several high-profile SNL cast members. I imagine some will disagree with my choices, but that's part of the fun, right? Hope you enjoy.

Tom Brady's Finest Comedic Moment

Tom Brady retired (again) and has a movie coming out on Friday, 80 for Brady. Repeatedly, he's tried to be funny on TV shows and in commercials, usually without much success. But for Cracked, I wrote about the Saturday Night Live sketch that's still pretty great, even if it hits different now than it did back in 2005. Read on.

The Joke From 'Nope' I Keep Thinking About

Over at Cracked, I spent a little time reminiscing about a key scene in Jordan Peele's third film, one involving Saturday Night Live. Why did it leave such an impression? Read on.

How "Chippendales Audition" Helped (and Hurt) Chris Farley

It was the Saturday Night Live sketch that made Chris Farley a star. But some of his friends and colleagues also thought it contributed to his low self-esteem. With the Kumail Nanjiani series Welcome to Chippendales about to be released, I looked back at the legacy of "Chippendales Audition" for Cracked.