Author: Ryan Gajewski

November 03, 2015 8:56pm PT by Ryan Gajewski

A still from Tuesday’s ‘Daily Show.’  

“The Republicans are now trying to baby-proof the whole election from top to bottom,” the ‘Daily Show’ host said on Tuesday’s episode.

Trevor Noah wants to know what happened to the GOP presidential candidates’ tough talk. 

On Tuesday’s Daily Show, the host played clips of the candidates boasting about how they wouldn’t take any guff as president, followed by news reports showing them grousing about CNBC’s debate moderators.

Read more Obama Mocks GOP Candidates for Complaining About CNBC Debate Moderators

“The Republicans are now trying to baby-proof the whole election from top to bottom,” Noah said, pointing out that some of the candidates have drafted a list of demands for TV executives to heed during future debates.

Noah observed that one demand involved keeping the room cool so that they would avoid sweating. “Oh, now you’re concerned about warming,” Noah cracked.

“How ridiculous are these demands going to get?” Noah continued. He then aired news footage pointing out that the candidates did not want TV cameras to show their empty podiums while they’re in the bathroom.

“Speaking of the bathrooms, are you shitting me?” the Daily Show host asked. “The candidates are seriously worried the viewers will know how much time they spend peeing? That request has to be for Jeb Bush — everyone knows he’s pee-shy. It’s not for Trump — he doesn’t even use the bathroom. He just whips it out and writes his name right there on the stage.”

Noah’s advised that the Republicans “toughen up,” saying that the job of president required handling tough questions.  

“How do you think, in less than eight years, Barack Obama went from handsome junior Senator to black Crypt Keeper?” Noah asked, poking fun at how much older Obama looks now than when he took office.

We will post video as soon as it becomes available. 

Politics

November 02, 2015 8:07pm PT by Ryan Gajewski

‘The Wiz Live!’  

The live musical production stars David Alan Grier, Queen Latifah and newcomer Shanice Williams.

The Wiz Live! is offering its first look at a stroll down the yellow brick road. 

NBC has released the first promo for its latest live musical broadcast, starring David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Queen Latfiah as The Wiz, Ne-Yo as the Tin Man and Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow.

Read more ‘CSI’ Creator to Pen ‘Soul Train’ Musical for Broadway

The teaser clip shows the main characters looking joyful as they head down the famous path. 

The Wiz Live!, from executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, is a three-hour live version of the 1975 Broadway production that earned seven Tony Awards. It tells an updated spin on The Wizard of Oz with an African-American cast.

The production follows the network’s two previous live musicals: 2013’s The Sound of Music, starring Carrie Underwood and Audra McDonald, and 2014’s Peter Pan, featuring Allison Williams and Christopher Walken.

Director Kenny Leon’s The Wiz Live! airs Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The promo is below.

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@THR.com
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski

The Wiz

October 31, 2015 3:00pm PT by Ryan Gajewski

A still from ‘SNL’s’ “Clinton Halloween Party” sketch.  NBC

Frankenstein visited ‘Twilight,’ the real Barack Obama wore an Obama mask and a fake Donald Trump dressed up as Dracula.

Saturday Night Live never has never struggled to get viewers into the Halloween spirit. 

Over the years, the venerable NBC sketch series has aired numerous sketches centered on the spooky day, with memorable bits including a Twilight parody, a motivational speaker who resides in a van down by the river and even the actual commander in chief. 

Read more More Groups Push for ‘SNL’ to Drop Donald Trump as Host

Here are ten of SNL‘s top Halloween-themed segments.

“Clinton Halloween Party” (2007)

The real-life Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at Hillary Clinton’s (Amy Poehler) costume shindig. 

“Weekend Update: Stefon on Halloween” (2012)

Stefon (Bill Hader) offered his suggestions for Halloween festivities: “This place is going to have everything: ghosts, ghouls, goblins, my son. And on the dance floor, you’ll find both guys from Wham! wearing a two-man horse costume. Spoiler alert: They’re both in the back.” 

“Matt Foley on Halloween” (1993)

Chris Farley’s iconic character — the van-dwelling motivational speaker — is brought in on Halloween after some kids are caught “throwing eggs around like a short-order cook at a truck stop.”

“Vincent Price’s Halloween Special II With John F. Kennedy” (2010)

JFK (Jon Hamm) and Judy Garland (Kristen Wiig) stopped by Price’s (Hader) abode. 

“The Zimmermans” (1998)

An overly sexual couple hosts an intimate Halloween party, with Ben Stiller playing an uncomfortable friend dressed as Robin Hood. 

“Firelight” (2009)

The sketch from the Taylor Swift-hosted episode mocked the Twilight franchise, with Bill Hader playing Frankenstein. When Swift’s character asks Frankenstein why he doesn’t kiss her, he replies, “Because when I kiss people, I tend to accidentally choke them to death.”

“Happy Halloween… What?!” (2008)

“I’m a sex offender…for Halloween,” Jeff Montgomery (Will Forte) confusingly tells his new neighbor (Jon Hamm). Hamm replies, “Is ‘sex offender’ your Halloween costume, or are you fulfilling a legal obligation to declare yourself a sex offender?” 

“Daily Affirmations: Halloween” (1992)

“Instead of candy this year, I’ve decided to give out rice cakes,” Stuary Smalley (Al Franken) admits. “A few kids might be disappointed, but that’s OK — it’s their problem.”

“The Apprentice Halloween Promo” (2004)

“It’s going to get the highest ratings of any promo in the history of NBC, not to mention the history of television,” Donald Trump (Darrell Hammond), dressed as Count Dracula, predicts about his Halloween Apprentice ad. 

“Graveyard Song” (2014)

During last season’s Jim Carrey-hosted episode, Carrey and Taran Killam played a pair of overly friendly graveyard ghosts who didn’t understand the point of their spooky song: “Paul and Phil, Phil and Paul. Can you guess who’s who? We’ll never tell. Yes, we will — I’m Paul.”

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@THR.com
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski