Polar bears like the cold. Superman goes out of his way to avoid kryptonite. The Kardashians are one big Attention Whore. In the movie Titanic, the ship sinks. In other completely unsurprising news, Chevy Chase is leaving Community.
If, by chance, you are surprised by this news, please come out completely from that rock you’ve been under and let’s do a brief history of Chevy Chase’s involvement in Community so far.
In February of this year, he gave an interview to Huffington Post UK, in which he described the decision to take the Community job “a mistake.” He also talked about the difference between television and movie saying that “hours in this kind of show are not commensurate with the actual product”. Granted, this is a long-standing tit for tat between movie actors and TV actors but come on, TV is paying your bills, how about not putting it down?
In March, there was a very public, and profanity laced feud between Chase and then showrunner, Dan Harmon. As the entire story came out, there were many who agreed with Chase, on principle at least but perhaps not execution, which prompted Harmon into sort of apologizing later.
In May, Chase gave an interview to Vulture in which he said that if he were writing the show it would be funnier and that he was tired of playing Pierce. I don’t know about anyone else, but if I hadn’t started wondering how on Earth he was still employed by this point, this one certainly turned the tide in that direction.
In October, after staying out of the headlines for a few months, Chevy Chase got back in the news after dropping the n-word in frustration would be a good idea. It was reported that he was frustrated over dialogue and the direction Pierce was taking and said something akin to “What are you gonna have him say next – “.
I beg to differ Pierce.
So now that everyone is on the same page, anyone surprised that Chevy Chase has decided to leave the show? He’s been saying, in public, for about nine months now exactly how much he doesn’t want to be a part of Community anymore. At this point I think it’s for the best. Apparently the finale has already been recorded but when the new season premieres on Feb. 7th, there will be at least two episodes that have no Pierce. I’ll try to miss him.
When the 38th season debuts this weekend, Saturday Night Live will once again have a new look.
Let’s take a moment here…
Are we going to miss Kristen Wiig’s fabulous characters (surely I’m not the only person who has to fight the urge to gleefully announce “APPROVED!” when their credit card goes through successfully at the grocery store) and Andy Samberg’s digital shorts? Of course we are. That’s not even up for debate; but they are not the be all to end all of the entire show.
There is no need to lament on how awful SNL is now and how it isn’t half as it good as it was “back in the day”. Before we can even have that argument we have to realize that “back in the day” has a direct correlation to the pastgazer’s age. Is pastgazer even a word? Can I declare it a word? I am.
Pastgazer (noun) – Someone who is incapable of being excited about the potential future of a television show because they are way too hung up on how it “used to be”.
If the pastgazer is in their 30’s, I assure you their “back in the day” involves Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. Someone in their 20’s (albeit probably their later 20’s) loves them some Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon. The 40 somethings are still plodding along singing the Chopping Broccoli song and answering everything, even when not at all appropriate, with “well isn’t that special?” You don’t even want to be in the room when they feel the need to break out their patented “SCHWING!” move. It’s just embarrassing. Then you’ve got the real badasses in their 50’s who scoff at the idea that SNL has been any good since Chevy Chase left… after the first season. They long for the days of random interludes involving bee costumes and Land of Gorch sketches with the Muppets; yes those Muppets, sort of.
I think we can all agree that everyone misses Will Ferrell. Surely missing the Spartan Cheerleaders is universal. I chose to live in a world (even if imaginary) where the vast majority of people grieve daily for the loss of those crazy kids.
Thing is, even with seemingly everyone in the universe screaming about how SNL is not as good as it used to be, it is still on the air. Which is more than can be said for many other shows (let’s have a moment of silence for Kings, a great show cut down in its prime. Damn you NBC.) so obviously they are doing something right and someone is watching. A lot of someones. Someones who still like the show. Someones who in 20 years are going to say, “SNL was way better when Nasim Pedrad and Taran Killam were on.” Trust me, it’s gonna happen. This little bit of casting news is for those someones.
After the departure of Kristin Wiig, Andy Samburg, and Abby Elliott, three new cast members have been added to the lineup.
While hailing from various parts of the country, all three recently were active in the Chicago theatre scene.
Aidy Bryant is originally from Phoenix, where she lived before she attending Columbia College, and then went on to make her mark with the Improv Olympic, Annoyance, and most recently, the e.t.c. stage of The Second City theatres.
During her time at The Second City, she had the chance to team up with the Lyric Opera. Who would have ever thought that Gretel was so well adjusted?
Tim Robinson is a Detroit native, starting his career with Second City Detroit before moving on to the Second City touring company and then The Second City mainstage in Chicago. He’s been a busy man – he recently put together a pilot for Comedy Central called My Mans that was unfortunately not picked up. However, in addition to joining the SNL cast, he also has been cast in a midseason sitcom on CBS called Friend Me.
Judging by this sketch with The Second City, we might see Tim right at home with SNL’s “commercials”.
The most recently announced addition is Cecily Strong. She is a Chicago native (well Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago) and also a Second City alumni. She was with the Second City touring company and also performed with the Improv Olympic.
Another commercial sketch, this one is right up SNL’s alley, no pun intended.
Lest the actors get all the attention, it was also announced that there have been two new writers hired for the new season. Neil Casey and Josh Patten both come to SNL by way of the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in New York City.
That’s the news; now all that’s left is to take bets on how many Family Guy voices Seth MacFarlane uses during the opening monologue. Oh and we should begin the countdown to when Jason Sudeikis takes his final bow. While he’s listed on the cast page, he’s made it no secret that he is perhaps tired with SNL, which is sad. Actually I think SNL will totally suck when Jason Sudeikis leaves and I will never watch again!!!! While it was just announced that Mr. Sudeikis is returning for his 8th season, it is unclear how long he will stay though- at least through the elections which we can all agree is a good thing.
I leave you with this – a man who I think we can all agree, will most certainly feel the absence of Kristin Wiig like no one else.
The 38th season premiere will air on Saturday, September 15th with Seth MacFarlane hosting along with musical guest Frank Ocean, and his guest, John Mayer.
As we approach the 2012 Comic-Con, we must remember that there is other news out there that impacts the world that might not be reported. However, since I do not have the interest nor intelligence to write anything political or serious in nature, we will settle for some movie casting news. Perhaps the return of National Lampoon’s Vacation?
The Hollywood Reporter is…uhh…reporting, that Ed Helms is in negotiations to star in the reboot (Hollywood loves originality) for the Vacation series but with an added twist: he would not be Clark Griswold but he would take over as Rusty Griswold as he brings his family in the mix of shenanigans and mishaps and, let’s face it, awesomeness that comes from these movies.
The writers involved are none other than hot duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein of Horrible Bosses fame (although Daley will always be Sam Weir from Freaks and Geeks) but no director as of yet but I am sure if Helms does sign up, that will be no issue at all. Obviously the idea may not be totally original but I dig the idea of Rusty taking over and Helms can definitely hold attention on the big screen as long as he has good support around him to play off of (see: The Office or The Hangover). As long as Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo shows up then sign me up. Although 10 bucks says that Kate Upton is involved as random fantasized object of affection if they play by the same formula. I’m calling it right now.
I had to find a picture of her with a Tigers hat, don’t worry I’ll make it up at the end
On a sidenote, Ed Helms is apparently working on the Office, shooting a movie with Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd right now, filming the Hangover III in September, and supposed to do this movie in the spring? Anyone want to venture a guess that maybe he won’t be full time on the Office at this rate? Something to chew on because Lions Gate is on the Rudd/Poehler movie, Warner Bros (New Line specifically) is behind the Hangover and the Vacation series but we know that NBC show is produced by Universal who typically will not loan out stars in the middle of the television shooting season. I know the article says that they will shoot the movie after the Office wraps its latest season but I wanted to throw it out there. Stir the pot if you will.
Now, for the rest of you pervs, here’s your obligatory Kate Upton awesome pic. And no, she will not ruin Justin Verlander. That’s just stupid.
Okay, now that title might be a bit of a freak out. Community isn’t necessarily in danger of being cancelled, but it certainly is in danger of losing Chevy Chase, who plays Pierce Hawthorne on the show. Some problems have arisen between Chase and Dan Harmon, who created and executive produces Community. Little known fact, he also wrote some of Scud: The Disposable Assassin, which has nothing to do with any of this. Anyways, lets get to what went down.
Hip Hip Hooray! It is that time of year again! Time for egg nog, thousands of tangled strings of lights, and paying homage to the Christmas movies that we love so much.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation released in 1989. There are several plot points in this movie all of which are based around one main goal for the Griswold family: have a great Christmas.
First things first: The Griswolds need a Christmas tree! In one scene, Clark (Chevy Chase), Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki) went to chop down a Christmas tree for their home. The entire journey was absolutely hilarious. Everyone was freezing to death, and Clark had delusions about how glorious this tree would be… so it was too big for the house. Clark also forgot the saw, so when the tree is shown on top of the car, it is shown with roots attached.In sticking with the theme of extravagant Christmas decorations, Clark and Rusty put over 25,000 lights on the house. They struggled to get them on throughout the episode.
Another great scene is when family members began arriving to the Griswold house. First, I must mention Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) who had one of the best lines in the movie: “Merry Christmas! Shitter was full.” Then, there is elderly Aunt Bethany (Mae Questel), who wrapped a cat as a gift. Fun fact: Mae Questel did the cartoon voices for Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. Christmas Vacation was her last on camera role before her death. I love all of the crazy family members because it reminds me of my bizarre family. We are all insane, but we love each other.
The dinner was disgusting, and difficult to watch. The turkey was…. dry? It was basically non-existent. I cannot even describe how vomit-inducing the rest of the random side-dishes looked. Suffice it to say, it was bad.
Every year, Clark gets a Christmas bonus from his work. He is expecting a large bonus this year, and has already decided to use it to put a pool in their backyard. However, when his letter is delivered, Clark, he finds out that instead of a Christmas bonus, he has been given a one year subscription to the jelly of the month club. This sets Clark off into the best tangent I have ever seen in any movie to this day:
Eddie kidnaps Clark’s boss. His wife and the police show up at Clark’s house, and when his boss explains that he didn’t give the employees their Christmas bonus, she is clearly upset with him. His boss then gives him a much larger than expected bonus, sending Clark into a cartoon-like fainting spell.
The movie ends with a very touching moment outside the Griswold home when all of the lights are on and the family is close together.
This movie is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time for several reasons::
*This movie has some of the most frequently quoted memorable lines of any film.
*I got to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus attacked by a squirrel. In my mind, it was real.
*Cousin Eddie. I know that I don’t need to explain but I will. I have never seen such a hilarious portrayal of a happy-go-lucky white-trash man than Cousin Eddie. He never disappoints.
*The Griswold kids are always different! I love that Audrey and Rusty are played by two different people in every movie.
*Aunt Bethany was asked to say the blessing at dinner, and instead said the Pledge of Allegiance. Every time I see this movie, even though I know it is coming, I laugh hysterically.
For these reasons and many more, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation gets 5/5 Charlie Brown Christmas Trees. An absolute must see Christmas flick.
For more COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS – Click it Here! 
Grizzly Bomb 