Aristocratic heat on ‘SNL’
“Saturday Night Live” was burning for “Bridgerton” breakout star Rege-jean Page, who brought the heat and the ratings to the sketch comedy this weekend.
The “smoldering, sensual, smoke show of a man” — his words, not just ours — saw his streamingservice prowess carry over to broadcast television in his debut as “SNL” host.
The long-running NBC show continued its ascent with viewers after experiencing a brief comedown since comedian Dave Chappelle took it to an all-time ratings high after the U.S. presidential election. The show also reached a personal milestone this weekend.
The show increased its ratings from last week, according to NBC, climbing from a 4.1 household rating when Regina King hosted on Feb. 13 to a 4.2 household live and sameday rating with Page. That means that 4.2 percent of households with a TV watched the program in the 44 metered local markets measured by Nielsen. The show also posted a 2.0 household rating in the age 18-49 demographic in the 25 markets with local people meters.
NBC also said that for the first time in its 46season history, “SNL” was ranked No. 1 among all comedies this week on both broadcast and cable in the adults 18-49 demographic and total viewers so far. It’s the first time in Nielsen measurement history— since 1987 — that “SNL” has ranked as the No. 1 comedy series in total viewers. Those figures factor in same-day ratings with seven additional days of DVR and on-demand viewing added in.
But enough about math. Let’s get back to Page, who spoofed his swoon-worthy Duke of Hastings persona during the show’s opening monologue. The British actor played it up to the delight of “SNL” stars
Aidy Bryant and Ego Nwodim, who volunteered themselves as seductive show liaisons, and Chloe Fineman, who brought her pitch-perfect Daphne Bridgerton to the stage.
But Page rebuffed their advances, telling them he’s actually “kind of a nerd” — one who randomly sings ballads like “Unchained Melody” and smolders into the camera for dramatic effect.
— Los Angeles Times
Daft Punk calls it quits after career of hits
Grammy-winning electronic music pioneers Daft Punk have announced that they are breaking up after 28 years.
The helmet-wearing French duo shared the news Monday in an 8minute
video called “Epilogue.” Kathryn Frazier, the band’s longtime publicist, confirmed the break up for The Associated Press.
Daft Punk, made up of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-manuel de Homemchristo, have had major success over the years, winning six Grammy Awards and launching international hits with “One More Time,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and “Get Lucky.”
Bangalter and de Homem-christo met at a Paris school in 1987. Prior to Daft Punk, they formed an indie rock band named Darling.
They officially formed Daft Punk in 1993, and the helmeted, mute and mysterious musicians released their debut album, “Homework,” in 1997. They first found success with the international hit “Da Funk,” which topped the Billboard dance charts and earned them their first Grammy nomination. A second No. 1 hit and Grammy nomination followed with “Around the World.”
Barack Obama, Springsteen team up
Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen are teaming up for an eightepisode Spotify podcast series, swapping stories about their upbringings and even a White House singalong around a piano.
The first two episodes of “Renegades: Born in the USA,” a conversation recorded in Springsteen’s guitar-filled home studio in New Jersey, were made available on Monday.
Spotify has moved aggressively in podcasts over the past three years, and made other programming announcements Monday. The audio streaming service has already worked with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company, and the former first lady’s podcast is the service’s most popular original.
The seemingly offbeat relationship between the former president and rock star began when Springsteen performed benefits for Obama during his presidential campaigns. But it has blossomed into deeper conversations since he left office, Obama said in the first episode.
“He’s a rock ‘n’ roll icon,” he said. “I’m a lawyer and politician. Not as cool. And as I like to remind Bruce every chance I get, he’s more than a decade older than me.”