SNL

Gina Wilhelm Actress - SNL

This weekend brings the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live," now starting its 36th season.

This week's guest star is Amy Poehler, who used to be a cast member of the show and is now starring in NBC's "Parks and Recreation."

Also appearing will be Katy Perry as the musical guest. Perry has created a stir this week when she appeared in a "Sesame Street" sketch while wearing what appeared to be a revealing outfit.

The skit, which was shown on the web as a teaser to "Sesame Street's" 41st season, will no longer appear on the children's show, but you can still see it at Perry's website. Or by clicking this link.

In other SNL news, New York governor David Paterson is scheduled to appear on the show tonight after having lambasted the show in the past.

Finally, NetFlix has worked out a deal to have every episode of Saturday Night Live for the past 35 years available, as well as have day-after watching of every new episode, until 2012.

That means if you miss tonight's Amy Poehler/Katy Perry episode, you could still see it tomorrow on NetFlix. Or, you could see that "Dueling Brandos" sketch I was looking for last week.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Older Actress White is "Hot"

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Older Actress White is "Hot"

Earlier this blog reported about the online campaign to get veteran actress Betty White to host "Saturday Night Live." That campaign worked, and the 88-year-old White will host the comedy show on May 8.

It's been reported that former "SNL" cast members will also appear on the show, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, and Maya Rudolph, though NBC would not confirm that.

It will be her first time hosting the sketch program.

In addition, she's about to star in the first scripted original sitcom to appear on the network TV Land, called "Hot in Cleveland."

That show will costar Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, and Wendie Malick. A great cast, led by a great veteran actress with an over-50-year career.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Older Actress White Surprised by Facebook Campaign

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Older Actress White Surprised by Facebook Campaign

Betty White is at the center of a campaign on Facebook to have her host "Saturday Night Live." The campaign currently has some 331,000 fans.

This all comes after White's turn in a Snickers ad that aired during the Super Bowl.

"I don't even know where that came from," White admitted. However, she doubted "SNL" producer Lorne Michaels knew about the campaign, so wasn't too worried about it.

That said, she did admit that if her schedule allowed and she was invited, she would be willing to host the comedy show.

The 88-year-old humorously promises that this Betty White Renaissance will come to an end soon. "It will go away, I promise."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Tina Fey Wins Best Guest Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tina Fey Wins Best Guest Actress

Tina Fey received a best guest actress in a comedy Emmy for her imitation of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live."

The award was given as part of the Creative Arts Primetime Emmys, which were presented September 12.

At the same ceremony, Ellen Burstyn was given the prize for best guest actress on a drama for her work on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Burstyn had received five nominations, but this was her first win.

These awards precede the main ceremony, which will be held next Sunday, September 20, and will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

Fey has an opportunity to win more Emmys at that ceremony, where she is nominated for best actress in a comedy for her starring role in "30 Rock."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Victoria Cyr is a Grown Up

Victoria Cyr is a Grown Up
Victoria Cyr doesn't know why the producers of the movie "Grown Ups" cast her. "You always kind of wonder."

She isn't complaining, though.

Cyr plays the niece of a basketball coach who has died. Several people have come back to their hometown for the funeral.

Those home comers are played by Adam Sandler, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock, and a handful of other Saturday Night Live alumni.

Cyr describes her part as a "plum role."

She already filmed the funeral scene, which she said was difficult, as the veteran comedians would keep cracking jokes between takes.

"It was hard to keep a straight face," she said.

More scenes for the film are set to be shot close to her home, in Essex, MA, soon, set at a Fourth of July cookout.

Cyr made the decision 14 years ago to pursue acting. She decided to follow her dreams.

She moved to Hollywood, but decided to return to Beverly Farms, MA, because she hated the traffic there, among other things. Also, her "beau" lived in Massachusetts.

She still manages to find acting work, despite living so far from Hollywood.

Tax breaks draw many films to be shot in Massachusetts. Additionally, she lives close enough to New York that she can go there for work.

She also sends audition tapes electronically to Hollywood.

She has been known to get roles through sheer determination. She followed the filming of one movie for two years because there was a role in it she was sure was perfect for her.

Eventually she was able to get and audition and landed the role.

Gina Wilhelm Actress