Defamer
This weekend's episode of Saturday Night Live will not only be its first since the WGA Strike shut down production of the show back in November, but it also marks the debut of the show's newest cast member, Casey Wilson. If that name sounds familiar, that means you're probably a regular at LA's outpost of the Upright Citizen's Brigade. Wilson has been a regular on the comedy scene for some time now, writing and directing several UCB shows, including Rode Hard and Put Away Wet and Worst Laid Plans, as well as her work with Harold teams "Sentimental Lady" and "Hey, Uncle Gary!".
Despite the notoriously hectic SNL schedule, Wilson was gracious enough to steal five minutes from her show prep yesterday for a quick phone interview with Defamer's own Molly McAleer. The two briefly chatted about how Wilson came to join the The Not Ready For Primetime Players, as well as what we can expect from tomorrow night's Tina Fey hosted episode:
MM: How did you wind up on SNL?
CW: I always wanted to be on the show since I was little and I couldn't audition for the past couple years because I was under contract with other pilots and stuff. Basically I just said to my managers and agents that I really wanted to audition, and I admit that I had to say that a couple times (laughs) but, then I put together a tape. My roommate was very helpful. I just did a ten character tape... it was pretty low budg... I sent it in and I was waiting to hear, I heard they kind of liked it and I knew they were looking for women but the strike was going on so it was kind of weird timing. In December, they called and said Lorne [Michaels] wants to meet with you. In January, they flew me out for auditions. I was practicing at UCB, and I had kind of emailed with [cast members] Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig about kind of what it would be like. Amy is obviously the head of UCB and an idol of mine, essentially. Then, three weeks later, Lorne flew out to LA for something and he told me then.MM: Tina Fey is hosting this week, which must be really huge for you. What can we expect from the show?
CW: Well, one thing that's fun is that, you'll see, I think, hopefully they don't get cut... A lot of uhhh ... lady sketches. A lot of things with all the gals in it, which is really really fun. Basically, my mind is completely being blown that I'm getting to do something with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig, who are in my mind the absolute funniest women in comedy right now. I don't know where or why it's ended up that I'm allowed to act with them, but I am having so much fun.
Lady sketches, you say? Sounds saucy! With reports circulating that this will be both Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph's last season on the show, we're just as glad to see that Lorne is committed to putting more fresh female performers on the show as we are to see Casey Wilson's debut. Don't forget, SNL returns tomorrow night, February 23, with host Tina Fey and musical guest Carrie Underwood.
- Saturday Night Live [NBC]
Comments
Yeah, but how's her Obama impersonation?
@ginger rant:
Not nearly as good as Donald Glover's John McCain.
Sweet! I still have my free promotional Rode Hard And Put Away Wet underwear. Hello eBay!
@ginger rant: Maybe she can handle Michele or What's Her Name McCain.
The times, they are a'changin'. Remember back on SNL when they hardly even used the wimmens in the sketches?
Well whippersnappers, once upon a time SNL was an anarchist's dream. All politics were suspect. As much as I like Tina Fey --and I hope Wilson's first show turns out great--I also hope it does't turn into a pep rally. Comedy at its best is subversive and somehow wise.
I'd love to see her "Please Be Kind, Rewind" (hey, where'd the italics go?) low budg ten-character tape.
Waitaminute, waitaminute: if there's a new SNL cast member debuting on Saturday, does that mean that someone got axed? Both unfounded speculation and factual answers welcome.
How long do you think it will take them to put her in some Terminator parody with Hammond as Ahnold?
@ginger rant: Someone doesn't necessarily have to be axed for a new cast member to show up. I think both Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph are due to exit. Anyway, there was probably a time in the early to mid '90s when the cast was like 25 people.
@ginger rant: Maya hasn't decided yet if she's coming back.
The women rock- have been the highlight of the show for many years now, imho. I want to be just like them.
Whoa, this was, like, real reporting and stuff. Way to go, West Coast Molly!
Prolly she was hired to be Hillary, and I'll bet they are rethinking that.
This is good, but it would make me even happier if they could add a couple more brown faces. It's pretty pale there.
how come she doesn't list Maya Rudolph? Is she gone now?!?!
@secretagentman: Well, hell, who'd do the Whitney Houston imitations?
And I almost cried when Ana Gasteyer left and Gemini's Twin broke up. That was pretty effin' hilarious.
And hey, UCB-LA people, get a bigger theatre. That place is a Great White nightclub tragedy waiting to happen.
SNL is killing Amy's funny! Seriously girl, you need to get back to your roots, Colby-style!
She's almost too cute to be an SNL regular.
@heidiho:
I thought the same thing when I went to their theater in NY (my first thought was how will I get out of here if there is a fire -- I admit I am overly safety conscious). I was hoping LA might be better.
I'd like to ride her hard and put her away wet, if you know what I mean! (What I mean is sex.)
@Band Meeting: Gasp!! This new persona of yours looks at laydees who aren't blonde?!
(Apologies if this posts twice, btw.)
@DorothyMantooth: Well, I've stated previously that I have a big-time redhead fetish. So I guess, yeah, it's blondes and gingers for me.
@Band Meeting: Sigh.
Always with the no love for Mantooth.
[I know this probably doesn't translate from the Gawker, and it's far too late, anyway, but:]
melee
Incidentally, today is Rachel Dratch's 42nd birthday, and Don Pardo's 90th.
@DorothyZbornak: No offense, but some of the recent brown faces have sucked. I doubt it had anything to do WITH their faces, but still. Finesse Mitchell? Kenan Thompson? Dean Edwards? Heroically unfunny.
Remember The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd?
Remember she was pregnant when the show was canceled?
Well, look! That baby is all grown up now...
@jasonelias: Yeah, but there were a lot of stories around Fall detailing budget cuts for the show, which is why the cast is a lot smaller than it's been in like, ever.
@secretagentman: Is this new? 'Cause she played the contract game last year and decided to come back with the new season.
@Landru: They were using Amy P for that.
@DorothyZbornak: No shit.
@thebullfrog: Finesse had some good moments, but Keenan is a dream. Deep House Dish? C'mon!
SNL is killing funny! I'm surprised this show is still being made.
I'm Irish through and through (or for those of you in the US "thru 'n' thru"!) but I'd always sing the praises of how brilliant Brit-com is any day of the week. US comedy seems about a decade behind.
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