RATE IT! Back FOR the Future

When pop culture and a good cause come together, everybody wins.

Nike has introduced 'Back to the Future' style kicks for a special one-time only event. They're auctioning off 1,500 pairs of the Nike Mag shoes -- all in aid of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Want to bid? Visit Nikemag.ebay.com and get a pair before they're all gone. PC Mag is reporting that some pairs are going for as high as $3,500 today. Here's the fun video promoting the auction... featuring Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader as the shoe salesman, and Christopher Lloyd in his old the 'Back to the Future' role.

RATE IT! Paul

Just what every Friday needs... a dose of silly! Luckily, 'Paul' opens in theatres today. 

E.T., he ain't!

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jason Bateman, and SNL's Kristen Wiig star in this goofy alien invasion movie. Am I the only one amused that Sigourney 'Alien franchise' Weaver is also featured in this flick?

To round out the cast, there's Seth Rogen (Meh... I find him annoying at the best of times -- so it's a relief to discover he's the VOICE of Paul - that's it!), and Bill Hader (SNL genius... I find him absolutely freakin' hilarious *all* the time). Yes, sometimes we have to take the bad with the good. Sorry, Seth... no doubt you do have your supporters out there so you don't need me. 

Anyway, 'Paul' could either be bloody brilliant, or this year's 'Yogi Bear'. After the long, dreary winter we could use some funny! Take a look & decide for yourself!

RATE IT! The Making of Stefon

The coolest character on SNL is .... STEFON! He's got everything... humour, freakishness, a weird asymmetrical hairdo... and now his creator, Bill Hader has explained -- via David Letterman -- how this wickedly funny portrayal on SNL's Weekend Update came about.


Awesomeness. Bill Hader is one of the best performers on the show. About time he got some kudos for all this fantastic work. 

RATE IT! Natalie Portman Unleashed!

Ah, an SNL digital short oldie but goodie! In honour of Natalie Portman's Oscar® nomination tonight for 'Black Swan', here's a look at Hollywood's golden girl unplugged - courtesy of Saturday Night Live!


#%!$@(^#%! Indeed!

RATE IT! Great Day

Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg can do no wrong in the Digital Short stakes.


I'm hoping that NBC doesn't shut down access (again!) to their vault of hilarious videos. They have a tendency to lock down their content if you're not within US borders, so let's just enjoy while we can!


This digi short is my absolute favourite! Crazy but in a good way! Watch for the typical star cameos too!

RATE IT! Hanging with Mr. Cooper

NBC has *finally* lifted the geo-blocking on many of its SNL clips -- thank goodness! scream millions of Canadians -- so to celebrate here's a treat of a digital short from a week ago.


Yes, your eyes do not deceive you! That IS Pee Wee Herman getting his drink on with Andy Samberg! That IS CNN's Anderson Cooper getting bullied. It just doesn't get any better! 


Enjoy some SHOTS with one pissed Pee Wee!

RATE IT! Paul Rudd on SNL

With his new movie, "How Do You Know" waiting in the wings for a December release, Paul Rudd will be taking to the stage as Saturday Night Live's host this coming weekend. 


A buddy to fellow SNL fave, Jon Hamm, Paul is a guaranteed laugh riot. Remember his last appearance with the Beyonce 'Single Ladies' video? One of the best skits EVER! Oh, and some dude named Paul McCartney is the musical guest too. No pressure!

RATE IT! Cookie for SNL

C'mon Lorne Michaels*! Time to sign up Cookie Monster for a stint as a guest host on Saturday Night Live! He's done the homework (Macarooner! Fake News!) and knows what is expected of him. If an internet campaign worked for Betty White...


*Creator & Exec producer of SNL

Thanks for the link, Gabby!

RATE IT! Hallowe'en Hamm

Tomorrow night's episode of 'Saturday Night Live' has all the ingredients to make it a season stand-out.


Third-timer, Jon Hamm -- Don Draper of 'Mad Men -- will be stepping up to host. Unlike the ad man he portrays in his day job, Jon has instinctual comic timing, and is game for pretty much any embarrassing situation the SNL cast dare to concoct. Sergio, anyone?


And it's Hallowe'en!!! Well, Hallowe'en eve. I'm guessing that Bill Hader's Vincent Price will make an appearance... and the last time SNL's Hallowe'en show had Hamm as host, the VP skit was a scream. More, please!


Who needs trick or treating when SNL is gonna be so ghoulish to watch?

RATE IT! Stefon

Have you met Stefon? He's been a semi-regular guest star on SNL's Weekend Update, offering tourist advice for NYC. Freaky tourist advice! Check out his appearance last Spring -- unfortunately his visit this past weekend hasn't landed on YouTube as of yet, and NBC's website is geo-blocked outside of the US -> BOO!

RATE IT! SNL Season Premiere

Finally! Saturday Night Live returns to our screens this weekend with one stomper of a line-up. SNL alum and 'Parks & Recreation' star, Amy Poehler is taking on the hosting duties while Katy Perry provides the musical entertainment for the evening. Ex-cel-lent!!


Take a look at Amy's SNL promos with Andy Samberg... after the annoying perfume ad.

RATE IT! Hamming it Up on GQ

British GQ are showcasing their men of the year in their October 2010 issue .... and Mad Men's Jon Hamm gets the cover treatment.




Oooh, la la - yes, please! 


Here's a selection of his moody b&w shots from inside the issue. 


UPDATE: Jon is also on the cover of October's issue of Details magazine, PLUS he's been confirmed as the October 30th host of Saturday Night Live! Can't wait!

RATE IT! SNL Ready to Launch

Saturday Night Live has announced the first line-up of guest hosts for this upcoming (its 36th) season.


Alum, Amy Poehler will kick off proceedings as host for the season premiere Saturday, September 25. 'Breaking Bad' Emmy winner, Bryan Cranston will be following suit on Saturday, October 2.


I know that I'm not the only one hoping for Jon Hamm to return. Lorne Michaels, make it so!

RATE IT! Gypsy Chandelier

"You gotta get a chandelier!"

You gotta love a silly SNL sketch (thanks, Fred Armisen & Scarlett Johansson) that just won't budge from your brain... scary too, as this laugh-riot dates back at least two years! Time to clean out the attic!

Regardless of my ridiculous brain clutter, I can't help but have a fondness for this candy-hued lighting fixture, a Gypsy Chandelier available from Urban Outfitters. Sure, it's kinda cheesy and perhaps not the type of lighting accoutrement found in a proper "grown up" home but I like it. I also like DQ Blizzards, Snoopy cartoons and ugly dolls so yes, my actual age is probably around 12.

RATE IT! Sergio!

Wacky with a nod to the freaky greased up sax guy featured in "Lost Boys", here's the SNL Digital Short from this past weekend's Jon Hamm-infused episode.

Be careful who you cross!

RATE IT! Hamm & Buble

Shame Mad Men's Jon Hamm can't be the host of SNL *every* weekend.

Here's one of the silliest sketches from this past weekend's show. Kudos to Canadian crooner, Michael Buble for being a great sport! Perhaps Lorne Michaels will invite him back to host *and* be the musical guest -- he's got the comedic chops to pull it off.

Apologies to readers who cannot view this clip -- NBC has geo-blocked certain regions. Damn, them!!

RATE IT! Second Helping of Hamm

Saturday cannot arrive fast enough.

The loose lips of 'Mad Men' star Rich Sommer were ... correct! Yes, "Harry Crane", you must know a little something about the ol' telly because as you promised, your co-star, Jon Hamm WILL be hosting 'Saturday Night Live' this coming weekend!

If Jon's original turn on SNL is anything to go by, his sophomore effort will be stellar & a definite must see. Funny too because NBC hasn't been "must see TV" for ages!

RATE IT! New Year's Hamm!

Without question, the most hilarious SNL of the past few years featured Jon Hamm as guest host. We laughed, we snickered...we laughed some more.... unlike when his 'Mad Men' co-star, January Jones graced the SNL stage (least said about that disaster, the better...).

Could it be that someone heard our pleas for Jon to return??? Please!? Pretty please?!

If Jon's 'Mad Men' co-star, Rich Sommer (Harry Crane) can be believed, it's all happening! During an interview with the TV Squad website, Rich spilled the beans that Jon was booked to make SNL funny all over again this coming January.

I hope he's right!

Thanks to Gabrielle for the tip!! :)

RATE IT! Ladies Guide

Pains me to say it but this past weekend's 'Saturday Night Live' with guest host, January Jones was one of the worst. EVER. Bland, not funny & featuring annoying performances by the Black Eyed Peas -- is it any wonder that January was poor as well?

The only good part, this video for the Ladies Guide to Party Planning. January doing what she does best... a re-run of a Betty Draper type housewife.

Apologies if some LTG visitors cannot view the clip. Blame NBC - not me!

RATE IT! January in November

Betty Draper is getting down & dirty live from New York!

January Jones of 'Mad Men' will be hosting SNL tomorrow. Let's hope she can break out of that ice princess persona with the help of Fred, Kristen & co. I'm hope, hope, hoping that a selection of her fellow 'Mad Men' cast members will make a surprise appearance much like they did when Jon Hamm hosted and John Slatterly & Elizabeth Moss showed up.

(photo: Frank Ockenfels for AMC)

Thanks to Gabrielle for the tip!