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The decision for John Mulaney to fight three 14-year-olds was only taken somewhat lightly.

“We air on a Wednesday. That decision was made, I think at about maybe 10:30/11 p.m. on Tuesday night,” executive producer and writer David Ferguson recalled at a recent FYC event for “Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney.” Mulaney and his team realized that they rarely tease their next show, and wouldn’t it be fun to do just that?

Thus: “John Mulaney versus three 14-year-olds,” which rose out of a recent spat of online debates about 100 men fighting a gorilla. But the original idea for this week’s episode was actually much more similar to its upcoming iteration; early in the season, writer Langston Kerman pitched a segment entitled “Are you stronger than a 16-year old?”

“Pretty straightforward premise,” Kerman said on the panel. “We take a grown man who is not on television, has no experience in entertainment,...

John Mulaney and his team of writers came together for a special screening and Q&a for the three-time Emmy winner’s Netflix show, Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney, as part of the streamer’s Fysee LA screening series in Hollywood.

Ahead of the sit-down chat — moderated by Fred Armisen at the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday night — Mulaney spoke with Gold Derby about the show’s open-format style, which he described as a cross between doing Netflix specials and being on a comedy tour, along with the “electric” level of talent who joined the process.

“Conan [O’Brien] and [David] Letterman … I was so flattered they wanted to do it,” he told Gold Derby. “And Randy Newman, Tina [Fey]. And also the excitement of someone like Stavros [Halkias] or Robby Hoffman, Nikki Glaser, who I’ve known for so many years. You know, the excitement of some of them coming in and doing the show is really electric,...

John Mulaney’s wildly chaotic six-episode run of Everybody’s In LA featured old punks, phone-ins and just about every top comedian in the states.

But the show, which ran for six episodes around the Netflix Is A Joke Festival between May 3 and May 10, was originally designed as a variety show. “I wanted everyone to go make what they wanted and I will put it on. We can’t get renewed. We should actually be a variety show,” he said.

Mulaney was asked why he wanted to make a show that was largely difficult? He said that Netflix approached him as they wanted to do something live across the comedy festival but weren’t entirely sure what. “One idea they had was stand-up at the Geffen Theater. Only with only David doing stand-up, just Laura Nyro stories. He had a tight hour,” Mulaney joked. “I liked that it was an...

Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Tuesday, November 11, 2023.

Freeform's first foray into animated series aimed at an adult audience seems to be over.

Praise Petey, starring Annie Murphy, has been canceled after a single season on the cabler.

Series creator Anna Drezen shared the news of the show's demise on social media.

"I cannot believe we got to make this show," Drezen wrote in an emotional Instagram post.

"Best crew, best cast, top to bottom the dream of my life to make something this funny and unwell that went on actual television.

"I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership.

Stranger Things Season 5: Everything We Know

"It's still on Hulu as of right now, if you want to watch it you should do it soon.

The animated comedy series Praise Petey has been canceled at Freeform after one season.

Per Variety, Praise Petey series creator Anna Drezen broke the news in an Instagram post. Drezen wrote, "I cannot believe we got to make this show. Best crew, best cast, top to bottom, the dream of my life to make something this funny and unwell that went on actual television. I have heard that making a non-ip show during Covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership. It's still on Hulu as of right now. If you want to watch it you should do it soon. Thanks to everyone who watched and loved these characters as much as I did, and biggest thanks to Alex Jones and Charlie Kirk for bravely yelling about the show when the actors couldn't. Will never forget you."

Why Solar Opposites Method...

Freeform has run out of praise for Praise Petey.

The Disney-owned cable network has canceled the adult-leaning animated comedy fronted by Schitt’s Creek alum Annie Murphy after a single season.

Series creator Anna Drezen (Saturday Night Live) broke the news with a heartfelt post on social media, writing: “I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership.” She notes that the show is still available to stream on Hulu “as of right now,” indicating that there could be plans for the show to be removed from the platform as Disney looks to cut costs by another $2 billion.

Freeform ordered the series, which was exec produced by animation kings Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, in December 2021 as head of originals Jamila Hunter planned to push the younger-skewing cable network into animation with the...

“Praise Petey” has been canceled after just one season at Freeform.

Series creator Anna Drezen shared the news in an Instagram post on Nov. 13. In the post, Drezen wrote, “I cannot believe we got to make this show. Best crew, best cast, top to bottom the dream of my life to make something this funny and unwell that went on actual television. I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership. It’s still on Hulu as of right now, if you want to watch it you should do it soon. Thanks to everyone who watched and loved these characters as much as I did, and biggest thanks to Alex Jones and Charlie Kirk for bravely yelling about the show when the actors couldn’t. Will never forget you.”

The animated comedy series followed Petey,...

Anna Drezen, the creator of Freeform’s animated series Praise Petey, has announced on social media that the cable network has canceled the show after one season.

“Sad to say Praise Petey will not be renewed at Freeform,” Drezen shared in an Instagram post. “I cannot believe we got to make this show. Best crew, best cast, top to bottom the dream of my life to make something this funny and unwell that went on actual television.”

The series premiered on Freeform on July 21 of this year and consisted of 10 episodes. Drezen acknowledged the difficulties in attracting viewers to a new show in the summer and during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

“I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership,” the former Saturday Night Live writer added.

Drezen encouraged people to...

Freeform is no longer drinking the Praise Petey‘s Kool-Aid, cancelling the cult-centric animated series after one season, creator Anna Drezen announced Monday on social media.

“I cannot believe we got to make this show,” Drezen wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “Best crew, best cast, top to bottom the dream of my life to make something this funny and unwell that went on actual television. I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership. It’s still on Hulu as of right now,...

“As far as I was concerned, it was like, ‘I’m just doing this dumb show with my friends,’” remembers composer Karl Saintt Lucy of Fucking Identical Twins, the one-act off-Broadway musical that ran in 2015. Over a half decade later that, that “dumb show” is now one of the more anticipated openings at TIFF. Retitled Dicks: The Musical, the A24 movie is an R-rated dirtbag version of The Parent Trap where two megalomaniacs (Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson) discover they are twins and try to get their parents — played by Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally — back together.

Graduating from NYU’s Tisch Schools of Theater with a Mfa in Musical Theatre Writing, St Lucy, who uses they/them pronouns, first met Sharp and Jackson, the stars and co-writers of Dicks, at Story Pirates, a theater program of largely aspiring comedians that travel around to elementary schools putting on improv shows.

Bugs Bunny in his current form has existed since 1940, becoming one of the 20th century's most iconic creations. The Looney Tunes star was originally voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc. Following his death in 1989, the roles were taken over in part by Jeff Bergman, who has subsequently played Bugs (and a host of the other iconic Looney Tunes characters) for decades. The importance of carrying on that legacy isn't lost on Bergman as both a fan and a part of the production.

Jeff Bergman sat down with Cbr to discuss Looney Legends in Conversation, a series of interviews with Noel Blanc, discussing the history and legacy of classic animation and the impact Mel Blanc and Chuck Jones had on the approach to voice-acting, the great difference between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and which surprising Looney Tunes character he thinks is quietly the most complex.

Related: Praise Petey: Anna Drezen...

In Freeform’s adult animated comedy Praise Petey, New York “It” girl Petey St. Barts (Annie Murphy) becomes a southern cult leader after a father she never knew dies and leaves her his rather complicated legacy.

That includes an entire working town, a throng of comet-obsessed cult members and one hot (and morally superior) redneck named Bandit (John Cho). In desperate need of food and direction until an alien race comes to collect them, Petey’s prophesized arrival seemingly guarantees for the citizens of New Utopia that they will once again have a sense of purpose.

But the former New Yorker with mommy issues and (failed) magazine dreams understandably finds all the human sacrifice and human Shih Tzus (Alfred Molina) a little too much. So instead of merely taking the reins from her father, Petey — alongside Bandit, best friend Eliza (Kiersey Clemons), right-hand Mae Mae (Amy Hill) and old recordings...

While researching for Praise Petey, Anna Drezen and the rest of the writers for the show were able to unpack the cult-like experiences in their own lives.

Animation World Network states that between soapy shows like Hart of Dixie and cult documentaries such as Holy Hell and Wild Wild Country, Drezen and the rest of the writers talked about their own experiences with cult-like behavior in unlikely places like yoga studios, corporate culture, and higher education. Drezen herself stated that "Even a relationship, or a friendship, or a family can be like a cult." She also spoke about how the entertainment industry can feel cult-like at times, such as when you take an acting class and educators use it as a way to get free labor out of students hoping their work will pay off with an acting job.

Related: Scout Comics' Henchgirl Lands Live-Action TV Series at Freeform

Praise...

Taking place after the death of a notorious cult leader, Praise Petey picks up with the inheriting daughter of a disavowed religious congregation. Well, congregation is an overly religious word – perhaps Praise Petey would be better served with the term 'adherents' or 'followership.' These hilarious morons are not coordinated enough to be taken seriously as a cult!

Anne Murphy leads a stellar comedic cast as they steer the tricky but navigable universe of Praise Petey. Petra, a.k.a. Petey (Anne Murphy), alongside John Cho as 'Bandit', traverse the leftovers of what would, on the surface, appear to be quite the serious and somber subject. Yet fans in the know revel in this hilarious and heretical underdog series.

Related: Annie Murphy's 4 Best Performances, Ranked

Why Praise Petey?

The core concept of the show is unconventional: Petey is a resident of hip upper-town New York City and...

Freeform takes a bold step into adult animation with its new original series Praise Petey, created by former Saturday Night Live head writer Anna Drezen. The show follows wide-eyed girl-boss Petey St. Barts as she inherits the leadership of her late father's cult somewhere in the American South, ready to move the cult away from its more murderous and morally questionable traditions. Despite Petey's best efforts, her inexperience after living in the big city and some of the more practical elements of this strange society complicate her attempts to reform the cult.

In an exclusive interview with Cbr, Praise Petey creator Anna Drezen shared the origins of the animated series, named several influences that helped inform the show's development, and teased what fans can expect as Season 1 raises the stakes moving into its second half.

Related: Teenage Euthanasia: Alyson Levy & Alissa Nutting Go Bigger and Bolder in Season...

“Praise Petey” is a new animated TV series created by Anna Drezen and produced by Mike Judge (“King of the Hill”) starring Annie Murphy, John Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Stephen Root, Amy Hill and Christine Baranski now streaming on Freeform:

“..the series follows ‘Petey’, a New York City ‘it’ girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her.

“But as luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life…”

Click the images to enlarge...

Few revivals are necessary. “Justified: City Primeval,” the new eight-episode limited series that welcomes back U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Best Drama Actor nominee Timothy Olyphant), is probably not one of them. After all, original recipe “Justified” ended on the highest of high notes. In fact, one might even dare to say it featured one of the best series finales of all time. And yet, there is no denying how great Olyphant is in the role or how much we’ve missed TV’s coolest lawman. So why bother?

The new episodes (two of which are now streaming on Hulu after debuting on FX) are based on yet another Elmore Leonard property, the crime novel “City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit.” The show finds Raylan transported from Miami, where he moved following the events of the original series, to Detroit, where he encounters a new kind of villain, the wild...

Freeform’s Praise Petey sounds mildly deranged on paper — which, to be clear, I mean as a good thing. The half-hour animated comedy centers on a New York fashionista (Annie Murphy), who’s surprised to discover in the premiere that she’s inherited a backwoods cult from the late father (Stephen Root) she barely knew. If nothing else, it’s a premise I don’t think I’ve ever heard before; it’s so specific and so bizarre that I have to presume someone was really excited about it at some point.

Alas, despite a top-shelf voice cast and a smattering of jokes targeted squarely at my own Millennial-women-in-media demographic (if you get the reference to that 2011 Chris Evans GQ profile, it might be aiming at you too), the overall impression left by Praise Petey is of no impression at all. Neither offensive enough to loathe nor impressive enough to love,...

Power publicist Alla Plotkin is teaming up with Jillian Roscoe, becoming a partner in Birch Public Relations.

Roscoe launched the firm in March 2023 after leaving ID PR. Plotkin also departed ID at about the same time but didn’t announce her next move until her new partnership with Roscoe.

Plotkin’s clients, including Sarah Paulson, Nicholas Braun, Bette Midler, Holland Taylor, Harvey Guillen, Amber Tamblyn, Chris Colfer, Titus Burgess and Rayna Greenberg and Ashley Hesseltine of Girls Gotta Eat, will join Birch’s roster, which includes Donald Glover, Jeremy Allen White, Sharon Horgan, John Cho, James Marsden, Kemp Powers, Gerard Butler, Judy Greer, Jesse Garcia, Mandy Moore, David Duchovny, Lake Bell, Jim Parsons, Fred Armisen, Jake Johnson, Ben Schwartz, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Melissa Rauch, Hannah Fidell, Ken Marino, Sarah Chalke, London Hughes, Lewis Howes, Zach Woods, Ty Burrell, Clay Tarver, Kevin Tancharoen, Julian Dennison, Jake Szymanski, Nicolette Robinson, Anna Drezen,...

"Praise Petey" is a new animated series on Freeform that follows Petey, a New York City "it" girl who inherits a community called New Utopia after her father's death. Petey soon discovers that New Utopia is actually a home to a violent cult, and she sets out to normalize the town and end the chaos. The show is created and executive produced by Anna Drezen, with Annie Murphy leading the voice cast, and Alfred Molina playing her human Shih Tzu. . New episodes will be released weekly on Freeform, with the series also available to stream on Hulu.

Screen Rant is proud to present an exclusive clip from Freeform's new series, Praise Petey. Serving as the network's animated debut, the show follows a New York City "it" girl who inherits the community of New Utopia after her father's passing. However, Petey ends up in over her head after she discovers the...

[These interviews were conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike authorization.] Freeform is serving up some fresh animated adult comedy in its upcoming series Praise Petey, which officially debuts on Friday, July 21. In TV Insider’s exclusive first look at the show, stars Annie Murphy, Kiersey Clemons, Christine Baranski, John Cho, Stephen Root, and Amy Hill are taking us behind the scenes of their recording sessions for the show created by former Saturday Night Live head writer Anna Drezen. (Credit: Freeform) As seen in the video, above, Murphy and her costars, along with Drezen, are unveiling their roles and teasing what viewers can anticipate from the show, which is also executive produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. Praise Petey tells the story of NYC it-girl, Petey, a.k.a. Petra, who has everything figured out until her well-curated life crumbles around her. In a strange turn of events, she receives a mysterious gift from her late father...

When Freeform's new animated series Praise Petey premieres this Friday, you won't recognize any of the faces, but you'll certainly recognize the supersized talent behind them.

Prolific actor Stephen Root is among the actors who will use their voices to bring a wide array of characters to life in the new series by creator, writer, and executive producer Anna Drezen, a former head writer on Saturday Night Live.

We had the chance to chat with Root during a recent press day, and the pleasure was all ours. The interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

There's no doubt that you are familiar with many of Root's roles over the years.

He's incredibly talented, and his acting chops tear apart roles in both comedies and dramas, but he leans heavily into the former, even when taking a dramatic turn.

Whether it's a no-pants-wearing judge in Justified, a continuously...

Praise Petey is coming to Freeform later this month, and the cable network has now released a trailer teasing the animated comedy series. The series is created by Anna Drezen (Saturday Night Live).

Starring Annie Murphy (Schitt's Creek), John Cho (Cowboy Bebop), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Stephen Root (Barry), Amy Hill (Magnum P.I.), and Christine Baranski (The Good Fight), the series follows a young woman who decides to take over her deceased father’s cult after her own life falls apart.

Read More…...

“Praise Petey” is a new animated TV series created by Anna Drezen and produced by Mike Judge (“King of the Hill”) starring Annie Murphy, John Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Stephen Root, Amy Hill and Christine Baranski streaming July 21, 2023 on Freeform:

“..the series follows ‘Petey’, a New York City ‘it’ girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her.

“But as luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life…”

Click the images to enlarge...

Freeform has released the first trailer for its new adult animated comedy Praise Petey, which follows how one modern woman will manage her deceased father’s cult.

The two-minute first look teases New Yorker and “It Girl” Petra aka “Petey” grappling with her life turning upside down when she must move from her big-city life to a place called New Utopia. It’s a community her father founded, only it’s not like most. Here, everyone’s part of a cult. Even worse? They believe Petey’s their prophesized savior.

“You being here means the prophecy of the great daughter’s return is fulfilled,” John Cho’s character says in a southern twang.

“Is this town doing Ok?” Petey asks, before Kiersey Clemons’ character responds, “Nah, we’re starving.”

But Petey doesn’t want to fulfill the prophecy of the daughter returned. Instead, she wants to “girlboss” her way out...

Freeform is tapping into a genre that hasn't aired on the network yet with Praise Petey.

The cabler went public with the trailer for its star-studded new series on Thursday, and it's poised to be a big hit.

"Petey aka Petra begins the series as an NYC' It Girl' with everything figured out, until her well-curated life comes crashing down," the official description reads.

"As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her deceased father gives her a new lease on life – taking over as leader of his small-town cult New Utopia."

"As Petey leans into her new role as a 'girl boss,' she discovers what it means to be a leader and how to find her voice as she tries to modernize her late father's small-town cult."

It's a compelling hook for a series, but we're sure the biggest hook here will be the cast.

Praise Petey...

Freeform is introducing a new kind of cult leader for the modern day - the New York City "It Girl." Collider can exclusively reveal the first key art for Praise Petey, a new animated series following Annie Murphy's Petra, aka Petey, who goes from living a highly-curated lifestyle in the Big Apple to becoming the head of her deceased father's small-town cult New Utopia. Throughout the show, she'll come into her own as a "girl boss," finding her voice and modernizing New Utopia to make the most of her father's final gift to her. Hailing from former Saturday Night Live head writer Anna Drezen, the series #blesses Freeform on July 21.

There’s soon to be a new entry in the world of adult animation, as Praise Petey comes to Freeform on July 21. Created by four-time Emmy nominee Anna Drezen, Praise Petey is the network’s first original animated series. The show centers on Petey, a former New York City “it girl” who finds herself reinventing a small-town cult. It’s the first out of three animated projects that the network has in the works.

Drezen worked alongside comedy legends Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head) and Greg Daniels (The Office) to bring Petey’s world to life. Which begs the question, whose voices will be leading the way? Here’s a guide to the star-studded cast:...

It will once again feel like a Cruel Summer on Freeform this, well, summer.

Season 2 of the anthology series will premiere Monday, June 5 at 9/8c with two back-to-back episodes, before moving to its regular 10 pm timeslot the following week, Freeform announced on Monday.

More from TVLineCruel Summer Season 2: EPs Explain Why They Went Anthology Route, Tease Easter Egg Connection to Season 1Good Trouble's Cierra Ramirez Talks Mariana's Heavy Storyline: 'If You Think This Season Was Emotional, Just Wait!'Cruel Summer Season 2 Trailer Introduces Deadly New Mystery and Complicated Love Triangle

The upcoming installment of the psychological...

Freeform has set its summer slate premiere dates, with the sophomore installment of the anthology series “Cruel Summer” and the sixth and final season of “Grown-ish” eyeing June debuts.

“Cruel Summer” Season 2, which stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood and Griffin Gluck, will launch Monday, June 5 at 9 p.m. Et with a special two-episode premiere and subsequent episodes premiering during at 10 p.m.

The final chapter of “Grown-ish,” which follows Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner) as he makes a name for himself on campus and overcomes Zoey’s (Yara Shahidi) overshadowing presence, premieres the first half of the season on Wednesday, June 28, at 10 p.m. Et. The second half of the season is set to air in 2024.

The network also makes its animated debut with “Praise Petey,” an adult animated comedy centering on New York City “it” girl Petey, will launch Friday, July 21, at 10 p.m. Et. After Petey’s life crashes down around her,...

Freeform is kicking off its summer slate with the return of its hit series Cruel Summer and the final season of grown-ish.

The second season of Cruel Summer will debut on June 5 with a special two-episode premiere, the network announced Monday. The premiere episodes will air at 9 p.m. Et/Pt, before the show transitions to its normal timeslot at 10 p.m.

Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of Cruel Summer follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward.

The series stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, KaDee Strickland, Lisa Yamada and Sean Blakemore.

Exclusive: WME has promoted Amanda Hacohen and Abe Cohen Hoffing to Partner in the Scripted Television department.

Hacohen focuses on representing writers, directors, comedians, and growing companies for comedy creators such as Greg Daniels and Mike Judge (Bandera Entertainment), Andrew Goldberg (Brutus Pink), Rob McElhenney (More Better Productions), David Wain, and John Hamburg. Hacohen also signed Saturday Night Live breakout talent Please Don’t Destroy – a comedy trio consisting of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy – whose film, produced by Judd Apatow will premiere this summer.

Other clients include Anna Drezen, Punkie Johnson (SNL), Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island, Loot), Byron Wu (The Brothers Sun), Nicole Byer (Grand Crew, Nailed It), and Shiva Baby writer/director Emma Seligman and actor/writer Rachel Sennott, whose sophomore film Bottoms premieres this spring. Hacohen continues to be based in the agency’s Beverly Hills office.

Cohen Hoffing specializes in...

The WGA East’s second Showrunner Academy gets underway today, with the 31-member class taking part in a program designed to support television writer-producers, upper-level writers and new show creators in honing the skills necessary to become successful showrunners and TV industry leaders.

The Academy, which provides instruction from current showrunners and other industry professionals on a wide range of topics, is led by Diana Son and Frank Pugliese.

“Being a showrunner is so much more than being the creative voice of the show,” Son said in a statement. “It’s also managing a multimillion-dollar endeavor with over 100 employees. We’re bringing in accomplished and experienced showrunners who’re willing to share the breadth of their experience – the good, bad and the ugly – so new showrunners can have a head start on figuring out what kind of showrunner they’re going to be.

This review of “Don’t Make Me Go” was first published June 13, 2022, after its release in theaters.

Your enjoyment of the mostly half-baked road trip drama “Don’t Make Me Go” will probably depend on how you respond to its last-minute plot twist.

John Cho stars in and emotionally grounds this two-star tearjerker from director Hannah Marks (“After Everything”), which follows an insurance salesman who struggles to tell his teenage daughter that he’s got a malignant tumor when they travel cross-country to New Orleans for his college reunion.

Unfortunately, the movie’s unexpected plot twist violently re-directs its treacly uplift narrative for the sake of a Hail Mary conclusion that’s almost ridiculous enough to be campy fun. It’s not though, since the twist in question feels like a last-ditch effort to convince viewers that the movie’s otherwise plain story, credited to Vera Herbert (series writer on “This Is Us...

Last April audiences were treated to a “Saturday Night Live” sketch that proved actor Bowen Yang was one of the funniest comics out there. In remembrance of the sinking of the Titanic, the infamous iceberg that the ship hit (played by Yang) stopped by the Weekend Update newsdesk. Though the iceberg was there to promote his new album, all anyone wanted to talk about what the Titanic.

In a recent appearance on Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, Yang sat down with “And Just Like That” star Cynthia Nixon to talk about how the iceberg sketch came to be. “It came from the [former] head writer, Anna Drezen, who is an old friend of mine from college,” Yang said in the video. “She texted me for the April show, ‘You come out as the Iceberg, and you’re here to promote your album.’”

He said that the process of writing the...

When Zoe Kravitz calls out “SNL” for its “boy energy” in the new “Saturday Night Live” promo (watch above), we have a feeling she’s only half joking. Indeed, the star of “The Batman” is only the fourth female host so far of Season 47, following Kim Kardashian West, Billie Eilish and Ariana DeBose. Men have hosted all of the other 11 episodes. Kravitz appears on the March 12 installment of NBC’s sketch comedy series with musical guest Rosalia.

SEEIs ‘SNL’ new tonight? Host, musical guest details

In the promo video, Rosalia tells Kravitz she’s “glad a woman is hosting,” as testosterone-filled cast members Mikey Day and Chris Redd jockey for position beside them.

Kravitz responds matter-of-factly, “Yeah, this place has a lot of boy energy.” Boy, is she right!

Currently, of the 21 regular and featured “SNL” cast members, only nine are women: Aidy Bryant, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Kate McKinnon,...

Saturday Night Live is ringing in the new year with a freshman pair.

The NBC late-night comedy variety show returns on January 15 with West Side Story star Ariana DeBose making her SNL debut as host with Live Life Fast pop star Roddy Ricch set as musical guest.

DeBose will be well known to creator Lorne Michaels as she plays Emma in Apple’s Michaels-exec produced comedy series Schmigadoon!

It will be the first show of 2022 for SNL and comes after the show rallied impressively for its Covid-hit final episode of 2021, a show that featured only Kenan Thompson and Michael Che from its regular cast as well as special guests Tina Fey and Tom Hanks.

Deadline understands that the plan for the January 15 show is to be back with a full cast and crew as well as studio audience, but obviously given the spread of the Omicron Covid variant, a decision...

Anna Drezen is exiting her role as one of four head writers for “Saturday Night Live” in order to focus on her Freefrom animated comedy series “Praise Petey.”

Drezen disclosed her decision Thursday in an Instagram post that featured a collection of photos from her time working on the NBC mainstay. “Bye SNL! I am leaving the show to focus on my show at Freeform. Was going to post a joke but I don’t do those anymore,” she wrote.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anna Drezen (@annadrezen)

Drezen has been on a roll as a writer-producer on the Peacock comedy “Girls5eva” in addition to landing a series order from Freeform earlier this month for the Disney-owned cabler’s first-ever animated series. “Praise Petey” features a strong voice cast led by “Schitt’s Creek” alum Annie Murphy and John Cho. Murphy plays a fallen NYC “It girl...

Saturday Night Live head writer Anna Drezen is leaving the long-running NBC late-night comedy series.

Drezen revealed that she was exiting the show just over a year after she was named one of the show’s head writers in September 2020.

She said that she was leaving the show to focus on Freeform animated comedy Praise Petey, starring Annie Murphy, John Cho and Christine Baranski, which scored a series order earlier this month.

Drezen, who has also written on Peacock comedy series Girls5Eva, was initially hired as a staff writer on the show’s 42nd season in 2016, was promoted to supervising writer for seasons 44 and 45 and then upped to head writer alongside Michael Che, Colin Jost and Kent Sublette last year.

“Bye SNL!,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am leaving the show to focus on my show at Freeform. Was going to post a joke but I don’t do those anymore.

Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek) and John Cho (Cowboy Bebop) head up the cast for Freeform‘s first-ever animated series, Praise Petey, which hails from Saturday Night Live writer Anna Drezen. The basic cabler has given the show a full series order, in addition to announcing two more animated shows in development. Praise Petey follows Petey (Murphy), a New York City “it” girl whose life is falling apart until a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life. With that, Petey sets about modernizing her dad’s small-town cult. Cho voices Bandit, a cult member since childhood and a potential love interest for Petey. The voice cast also includes Kiersey Clemons (The Flash) as a bartender and Petey’s reluctant Bff Eliza; Christine Baranski (The Good Fight) as Petey’s mother White; Amy Hill (Magnum P.I.) as Bandit’s Southern mama Mae Mae; and Stephen Root...

Annie Murphy is getting animated at Freeform: The Schitt’s Creek vet will headline the voice cast of Praise Petey (working title), an animated comedy which has received a series order at the cable network.

The show follows Petey, “a New York City ‘it’ girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her,” per the official synopsis. “As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: she’s going to ‘lean into’ modernizing his small-town cult.” The voice ensemble also includes John Cho (Cowboy Bebop), Christine Baranski...

Freeform is getting into animation for the first time, with the basic cabler ordering the series “Praise Petey” while also announcing two more animated shows into development.

“Praise Petey” hails from “SNL” writer Anna Drezen with “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy in the lead role. The show follows Petey (Murphy), a New York City “it” girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: she’s going to “lean into” modernizing his small-town cult. The series will begin production in early 2022.

The voice cast also includes: John Cho (“Cowboy Bebop”) as Bandit, a potential love interest for Petey and a cult member since childhood whose mother was a high-ranking member; Kiersey Clemons (“The Flash”) as Eliza, a bartender at the local bar and reluctant Bff to Petey, working...

Freeform has ordered an animated comedy series about a New York City It girl starring Annie Murphy, John Cho, Christine Baranski.

The youth-skewing network has handed Praise Petey (w/t) from SNL head writer Anna Drezen, who created the series, and exec producers including Monica Padrick, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels a series order.

It comes as the Disney-owned network takes another crack at animation, having previously developed a number of series in this space.

Praise Petey follows Petey, voiced by Schitt’s Creek star Murphy, a New York City “it” girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: she’s going to lean into modernizing his small-town cult.

Cowboy Bebop star Cho voices Bandit, a potential love interest for Petey and a cult member since childhood whose mother was a high-ranking member.

Bowen Yang became the first featured player on “Saturday Night Live” to get an Emmy nomination Tuesday, securing a berth in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category. It almost didn’t happen.

Yang originally considered nominating an episode in which he appeared in many sketches across the course of an evening. Instead, after he “consulted with multiple people,” he opted for an episode which generated a lot of notice for his offbeat portrayal of an iceberg that sunk the Titanic, from an episode during the 46th season that was hosted by Carey Mulligan. “It’s nice,” said Yang about the nomination. He just completed his second season as a featured player on the NBC program after working for one on the writing staff.

The iceberg sketch “was an idea from [‘SNL’ co-head writer] Anna Drezen, and she and I worked on it together. The whole process of...

The Amber Ruffin Show and A Black Lady Sketch Show have both secured Emmy writing noms for the first time – noticeably helping to improve the diversity of the category.

The Peacock series and the HBO show will compete in Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series against HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC’s SNL.

A somewhat curious note of this category is that Ashley Nicole Black will compete against herself, having been involved in writing on both The Amber Ruffin Show and A Black Lady Sketch Show.

It marks The Amber Ruffin Show’s first Emmy nomination since the weekly show launched last year. However, it is not Ruffin herself’s first nom, having been nominated in this category for her work, alongside her head writer Jenny Hagel, on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

The Amber Ruffin Show is...

Bowen Yang’s greatest breakthrough moment on the last season of “Saturday Night Live” surprised even him. In an interview for Variety‘s Actors on Actors TV issue, the sketch comedian described the process of getting his role as the iceberg who sank the Titanic — a glacial mass who wants to be known for all his other accomplishments — to air. In conversation with “Hacks” star Jean Smart, Yang thanked her for praising the performance as “sincere” and “crystal clear.”

“No one’s described it as sincere yet, so that’s huge,” Yang says. “I wrote that with one of our head writers, Anna Drezen, who I’ve known since college. She texted me in February and said, ‘Maybe for the April 10th show, because the Titanic sinking anniversary is around that time, you come on Weekend Update as the iceberg that sank the Titanic and you’re just really annoyed...

Jean Smart and Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) sat down for a virtual chat for Variety‘s Actors on Actors. For more, click here.

On HBO Max’s “Hacks,” Jean Smart plays the queen of comedy. Her Deborah Vance is a Joan Rivers-style figure, a dominant but fading presence on the Las Vegas Strip who must learn to adjust to a new era of humor. (She also played a dramatic role this year on HBO’s “Mare of Easttown.”) Few comedians more aptly represent the new era than Bowen Yang, a breakout on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” whose absurdist sensibility and erudite wit have made him a fan favorite.

Bowen Yang: I wanted to ask you about “Hacks.” I’ve heard you talk about how the idea of playing a standup comedian was daunting. But was there anything in the scripts that drew you to the project in spite of that fear?...

One of the most beloved sketches to emerge out of the currently unspooling Season 46 of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” was a “Weekend Update” segment involving “SNL” featured player Bowen Yang as the iceberg that sunk the Titanic. It was just the kind of zany, off-the-wall idea (one that on paper sounds ridiculous) that helped to jumpstart a pandemic-challenged season rife with so many Covid jokes.

The sketch helped solidify comedian Yang’s reputation as one of the series’ MVPs, and in a recent sit-down with Jimmy Fallon (via The Hollywood Reporter), Yang shared the backstory behind the sketch, which started as a text exchange between him and head writer Anna Drezen. When she ran the idea by him, he was skeptical, but of course the rest is history, as the video has racked up well over 2.8 million views on YouTube and counting.

Yang said, “[Drezen] texts me in February, ‘Hey,...

Bowen Yang on Friday dropped by The Tonight Show where he broke the ice about his viral Saturday Night Live Titanic sketch from April.

The comic was trending on social media for days after he played the iceberg who sank the Titanic during a segment on “Weekend Update.” Video of the moment went viral, racking up millions of views.

Yang told Jimmy Fallon that the head writer of SNL, Anna Drezen, is an old friend of his, and earlier in the year, she ran the idea for the moment past him. Yang, at first, was skeptical, he explained.

“She texts me in February, ‘...

Bowen Yang on Friday dropped by The Tonight Show where he broke the ice about his viral Saturday Night Live Titanic sketch from April.

The comic was trending on social media for days after he played the iceberg who sank the Titanic during a segment on “Weekend Update.” Video of the moment went viral, racking up millions of views.

Yang told Jimmy Fallon that the head writer of SNL, Anna Drezen, is an old friend of his, and earlier in the year, she ran the idea for the moment past him. Yang, at first, was skeptical, he explained.

“She texts me in February, ‘...