Jack Antonoff Realizes Bleachers Is a ‘Gross’ Name in ‘SNL’ Promo With Ariana DeBose, Bowen Yang
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The first new Saturday Night Live of 2022 has Jack Antonoff rethinking everything. The Bleachers leader — who is subbing in for this week’s original musical guest, Roddy Ricch, when the rapper had to drop out due to COVID-19 exposure — appears in the promo for the Jan. 15, episode and a simple question from cast member Bowen Yang has him questioning his life choices.
“Hi, I’m Ariana DeBose. I’m hosting SNL this week with musical guest Bleachers,” says the West Side Story star and this week’s host, DeBose.
“Such a fun name,” adds Yang. “Bleachers. Like, ‘Hey, let’s go make out under the bleachers!’”
“Ooh yeah!” DeBose seconds.
“Nobody does that,” a defensive Antonoff says, his arms crossed.
“Yes they do,” DeBose corrects him.
“That’s disgusting,” Antonoff tells her, looking offstage for confirmation that people are still engaging in football field makeout sessions. “Guys, we gotta change the name. It’s a gross name.”
The promo also had DeBose and Yang wishing each other a belated happy new year, with the actress gushing over breakout star Bowen’s fresh platinum blond hairdo. “Bowen, I love that new hair,” she tells him.
“Well, you know what they say: New year, new me,” Yang responds.
“What else is new Bowen doing? Is new Bowen going to the gym?” Antonoff wonders.
“No,” Yang says sheepishly. Making healthier choices? Nope. Dry January? Oh hell no.
“So it’s mostly the hair?” DeBose wonders.
“Yes, it’s just the hair,” Yang admits.
After getting tapped to sub in for Ricch, Bleachers shared the flyer for this week’s episode on their Instagram page, poking fun at the title of their latest album, Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night. “The hardest attempt to date of taking the sadness out of saturday night,” the caption read. “bleachers are the first musical guest of 2022 on @nbcsnl !!”
Watch the promo below.
Bergen Native Jack Antonoff Appearing As ‘SNL’ Musical Guest
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BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey native Jack Antonoff will perform in the iconic Studio 8H for the first time as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.
The 37-year-old grew up in New Milford and Woodcliff Lake. He went to Soloman Schechter Day School of Bergen County , according to a 2010 article from The Jewish Standard.
Bleachers, Antonoff’s indie pop-rock band, was named the guest after rapper Roddy Richh was exposed to COVID-19 .
Antonoff has five Grammy Awards and one nomination for a Golden Globe Award. He worked with the band fun. before announcing his Bleachers project in 2014.
His former band Steel Train is comprised of other members from North Jersey.
Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Herbie Hancock, Billy Strings, The War on Drugs, Jack Antonoff, Lord Huron and More Confirmed for Bonnaroo 2022
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It’s been over two years since music has echoed throughout the grounds of Bonnaroo’s farm in Manchester, Tenn. Despite the setbacks from the pandemic in 2020 and a hurricane washing away a year’s worth of work in 2021, the festival stands strong, ready to give fans a truly unique experience.
Today, the festival announced that it will return on June 16-19, with headliners J. Cole, Tool and Stevie Nicks.
“We’ve been two years into this thing. We canceled twice. We wanted to start with a fresh lineup,” says Bonnaroo’s lead booker Bryan Benson. Benson has been working with Bonnaroo for over a decade and shapes the event’s lineup with AC Entertainment’s VP of Booking Stephen Greene. “The two of us have been at the helm of this thing and continue to be, and we don’t see that changing,” Benson says.
Together, they’ve meticulously crafted 10 years’ worth of Bonnaroo festival lineups. “[It’s] probably a pretty good [thing] to have J. Cole on the Friday,” says Benson with a laugh. “That doesn’t mean he couldn’t work on Sunday, but I think if we were to draw up our number-one scenario, that’s how we would try to do it.” Welcoming Herbie Hancock on Sunday isn’t a fluke either. “Closing up the weekend with [Hancock] on Sunday… that’ll be a must-see performance,” he says.
While Tool is the only headliner that remains from the would-be 2020 festival, fans will be excited to know that many artists who persevered through the last two years will be showing up in 2022. “Some of those [2021] artists are back with us. Goose, King Gizzard and Marc Rebillet are all strong choices for us this year,” shares Benson. Billy Strings, Flume, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Porter Robinson, Disclosure, Lord Huron, Isaiah Rashad, Maggie Rose, Rezz, Tash Sultana and many more are also set to perform at the Farm in 2022.
This year, the SuperJam — a Bonnaroo staple — is also returning, led by Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff. It will feature a 1984 theme, a nod to the eclectic year in pop music, Antonoff’s birth and George Orwell’s dystopian novel. “Jack [has an] overall love and passion for Bonnaroo… the festival has a special place in his heart. It was a bit of a no-brainer,” Benson says of the reason for the decision. “If you look at Jack’s work and who he’s produced with, I’d say he has some of the best relationships with other artists of any artists we could have chosen. I would say it’s going to be a SuperJam that will go into history books.”
Since its inception, the festival has connected artists and fans, always striving to improve itself and the experience it offers, from an expanding lineup to practical things like improved bathrooms. “The new shuttle system that we had going from the campgrounds into Centeroo is going to be up and running,” says Benson. He also notes that the innovation they planned to introduce in 2021 will finally debut in 2022, including nine themed plazas throughout the grounds.
“We are so set up and ready to go,” says Benson. “I don’t think we’ll have a hurricane in June, so be ready.”
Tickets for Bonnaroo go on sale Thursday, Jan. 13 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
Visit Bonnaroo.com for more information.
Check out the full lineup below:
THE COMPLETE BONNAROO 2022 LINEUP:
THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Gryffin
Clozee
Sidepiece
Role Model
The Brook & The Bluff
Sons of Kemet
Goth Babe
Blu Detiger
Indigo De Souza
Adam Mel
The Weather Station
Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Jessie Murph
The Dip
Nothi
Wreckno
VNSSA
Weval
Kenny Mason
Calder Allen
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
J. Cole
The Chicks
Illenium
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Disclosure
Lord Huron
The War On Drugs
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Goose
Bleachers
Isaiah Rashad
Lane 8
Still Woozy
Whiskey Myers
Denzel Curry
Japanese Breakfast
Tove Lo
Dayglow
John Summit
Arlo Parks
Chris Lorenzo
Tai Verdes
The Regrettes
J. Worra
LP Giobbi
Briston Maroney
Noga Erez
Phantoms
Ship Wrek
Westend
Maggie Rose
Claud
Southern Avenue
SATURDAY, JUNE 18
Tool
Flume
21 Savage
Billy Strings
$uicideboy$
Porter Robinson
Marc Rebillet
Chvrches
LANY
Ludacris
Chris Lake
Tobe Nwigwe
Judah & The Lion
Mt. Joy
100 gecs
All Time Low
Nora En Pure
Slowthai
Black Tiger Sex Machine
Ashe
Said The Sky
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Joy Oladokun
The Backseat Lovers
Benee
Habstrakt
Lucii
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Teddy Swims
Moore Kismet
Patrick Droney
Cory Henry
Lucille Croft
COM3T
SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Stevie Nicks
Machine Gun Kelly
Roddy Ricch
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Rezz
Herbie Hancock
Puscifer
Wallows
Tash Sultana
Coin
G Jones
Zach Bryan
All Them Witches
Tinashe
Fletcher
Tierra Whack
Lettuce
Dombresky
Bas
Protoje
Of The Trees
Sierra Ferrell
Ravenscoon
Wild Rivers
Flipturn
A Hundred Drums
PLUS! SuperJam: Jack Antonoff’s 1984
‘SNL’ returns and takes aim at Joe Biden, Eric Adams in NYC-centric show
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NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” returned to the airwaves for the first time since Dec. 18, with a fake President Joe Biden blaming the COVID-19 surge that sidetracked its last episode on the new Spider-Man movie.
The show deployed plenty of New York-centric humor after its month-long break — including its first spoof of Mayor Eric Adams — and featured Ariana DeBose of “West Side Story” as host.
The screen and stage actress said she was representing Broadway and launched into a medley of tunes from the show like “Tonight Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty” and “America” with Kate McKinnon.
“Not many people know this but “West Side Story” is actually based on another classic tale of star-crossed lovers: “90 Day Fiancé,” she cracked during her monologue.
Impressionist James Austin Johnson started the show portraying Biden holding a press conference at the White House, telling the country that the Omicron surge was tied to attendance of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” for which he couldn’t get tickets.
“Everyone in America has seen ‘Spider-Man’ like eight times. Everyone in America also has COVID. Stop seeing ‘Spider-Man,’” he urged the American people
“This virus has disrupted our lives, canceled holidays, weddings, quinceañeras, gender-reveal parties, wildfires that started as gender reveal parties… whatever the hell is happening with Novak Djokovic,” Johnson said.
Pete Davidson and James Austin Johnson, who portrayed President Biden, pokes fun at the “Spider-Man: No Way Home” film in the show’s cold open. SNL / Youtube
“I know you’re tired of getting emails from your kids’ school late at night saying ‘ok come in tomorrow we’re feeling lucky.’”
The skit took a bizarre turn when Pete Davidson emerged from a smoky portal dressed as a sunglass-wearing tough-guy action hero to announce he is actually President Biden and the current world is an alternate universe.
“I am Joe Biden from the real universe. The timeline you’re all living in is about to collapse. You see it was created as a joke starting in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series,” Davidson said, using a voice deepening effect.
“Everyone is better off in the real world except for one man named Pete Davidson,” he cracked to White House reporters, alluding to his high-profile love life. “Your world is maybe more fun for him.”
Another COVID-19 themed sketch spoofed TNT’s NBA coverage, where the Nets were beating the Kings 268-1 at halftime because the entire Sacramento squad came down with the virus.
“You can see how the Kings’ lack of NBA players is reflected in the score,” Chris Redd’s Kenny Smith pointed out, as Mikey Day and DeBose portrayed overwhelmed amateur ballers who got called up to the big leagues to face Brooklyn.
Bleachers (left) served as musical guest while “West Side Story” actress Ariana DeBose (center) handled hosting responsibilities. Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
In a fake commercial, the show lampooned the seemingly endless stream of television reboots by previewing an updated “Family Matters” that starred Redd as a criminal Steve Urkel whose tagline is still “Did I do that?,” and Kenan Thompson as calming influence Carl Winslow.
Davidson and Chloe Fineman spoofed obnoxious local mom-and-pop New York-area commercials by playing a heavily accented couple that run a “Formal Emporium” and offer up their nerdy son (Andrew Dismukes) as a date to high school formals to parents worried about keeping their daughters’ virginity intact.
“We got dresses that are as pretty as she is, eh depending on the girl,” a heavily made-up Fineman promised.
“If you’re worried about your daughter having sex after the dance, don’t be — we have the perfect solution,” Davidson’s smarmy character offered.
“She can take our son Donovan, because Donavon wouldn’t know where to start,” Fineman added, as the outer-borough couple went on to describe just how pathetic their son is.
In another hyper-local reference, the show spoofed local cable news outlet NY1’s propensity for carrying mundane press conferences from local politicians in their entirety.
Redd impersonated Mayor Eric Adams strutting to the podium at City Hall to the tune of“Feel So Good,” by Mase.
“The city’s never had a mayor with so much swagger before,” the fake mayor told the press corps. “I mean y’all see me outside — the peacoats, the scarfs, the shine on the bald head yo!,” Redd said, playing up Adam’s Brooklyn accent.
“You can tell I have swagger. Keeps me healthy. See the city’s been suffering from what I like to call a swag-less existence,” he cracked.
“I’m muscular, I’m vegan and I get that thang-thang every day before breakfast,” the imitation mayor bragged.
Chris Redd impersonated New York City’s new mayor Eric Adams during Saturday’s episode. SNL / Youtube
When the gaggle of reporters tried to speak over each other, the mayor snapped back.
“I do not do chaos in my city. I told y’all that,” Redd said. “I was a police officer for over 70 years. If I get startled I start kicking people’s asses,” he promised.
“And excuse me, this man he is not Bill de Blasio, he will kick your ass. Oh my god,” DeBose interjected, playing his secretary.
“She’s joking but she’s from the Bronx so is she?,” Redd-as-Adams asked the assembled reporters, who he gave nicknames like Princess Peach and Slim Shady.
“Weekend Update” took on politicians from both sides of the aisle and featured a GIF-worthy Elmo impersonation from Fineman, who was feuding with an imaginary Sesame Street friend.
“Just like everybody else, President Biden’s New Year’s resolutions fell apart in the third week of January,” Colin Jost said.
“The Supreme Court struck down his vaccine mandate, his voting rights bill got blocked and his approval rating is so low it’s gone into power save mode.”
The fake anchor pointed out that the late convicted killer Robert Durst was now “New York’s fourth-worst real estate heir,” he said, after Donald Trump’s children Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka.
The comedian also took aim at Prince Andrew being stripped of his royal titles amid underage sex abuse charges.
“It’s an unprecedented case of an adult stripping Prince Andrew,” he cracked.
DeBose and McKinnon spoofed another Broadway classic, with a topical take on “Do-Re-Mi” from “The Sound of Music.”
Jack Antonoff’s New York City-based indie pop outfit Bleachers performed lively saxophone-filled renditions of their songs “How Dare You Want More,” and “Chinatown” after previously scheduled artist Roddy Ricch pulled out of the show because of exposure to COVID-19.
SNL alumni Will Forte is slated to host next week’s episode with musical guest Måneskin.
SEE IT: ‘SNL’ debuts NYC Mayor Adams, played by Chris Redd, to brag about swagger
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“Y’all are in good, Black, Paul Bunyan hands. We’re going to beat this virus together. I believe that. And you know what rhymes with cough? Tough,” he said. “I mean, it doesn’t, but it should. And New York is tough as hell. I dare COVID to run up on me. Come to Brooklyn, bruh. I’ll leave the light on for you, dog. COVID is welcome anytime in New York and you can print that.”