Saturday Night Live

When Facebook Campaigns Actually Work: Betty White to Host SNL

by Robert Quigley | 4:38 pm, March 8th

As buzzy and new media coverage-friendly as Facebook campaigns can be, their track record for bringing about actual change is rather spotty: The online world tends to be set in its ways (see: the myriad as-yet unsuccessful Facebook campaigns to add an official “Unlike” button), but the outside world is slow to respond to Facebook petitions.

But now, score one little but sweet victory for Facebook campaigners: Delightful 88-year-old comedienne Betty White is going to host SNL, thanks in large measure to a Facebook petition called “Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!” with close to 500,000 fans.

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Even as a Janitor, Steve Jobs Can’t Stop Pitching Stuff and Being Charismatic

by Robert Quigley | 5:56 pm, February 28th

Last night, SNL sent up CBS’ reality show Undercover Boss with the inevitable Undercover Celebrity Boss, in which celebrity bosses go undercover at their own companies, to comedic result. Steve Jobs, we learn, just can’t stop pitching stuff: even as a janitor, as played by Fred Armisen, he hawks the revolutionary “iTrash,” which plays music (even when it doesn’t), as well as the iTrash Shuffle.

Richard Branson, for his part, blows his cover by flying into work on a space shuttle. Also: shouting “I’m Richard Branson.”

(h/t Gawker.tv)

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Jon Hamm: Superhero?

by Robert Quigley | 2:16 pm, February 24th

Mad Men fans know Jon Hamm as the smooth-as-silk ad exec Don Draper; non-fans may recognize him as “that hunky dude who has done some funny stuff on Saturday Night Live.

Now, fans are pushing for a new sort of role for Hamm: superhero. Hamm as Superman? Hamm as Captain America? Hamm as Batman, even? The possibilities are nigh endless, even if sexy, saxophone-playing ponytail man Sergio might not carry over to the silver screen.

Hamm responds to MTV: video after the jump. Brace yourself: he’s a self-described comic book collector.

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The Unintentional Hilarity of Twitter Spam Bots

Back Alley Internet is a recurring column in which we explore some of the weirder corners of the Internet and see what we can drudge up for your amusement and education. This week: We study the legions of Twitter bots that trawl the trending topics and spit out some unintentionally hilarious tweets.

Tweetosystem

Eric Limer You have to tew two tutus?! I have to tew two tutus too!
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Max The Pizza and Pasta Foundation supports the federal SAUCE act. Ask your congressman to put some SAUCE on it!
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Eric Limer I like how if you make a mistake typing a popular URL, invariably the site you find is all "YOU'RE WINNER!" It's uplifting for a second.
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Max Spam for work involves a false teeth supplier and someone looking to buy magnetic plates.
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Eric Limer So that improv show was definitely a good idea. Ben Schwartz, Zach Woods, Justin Long, AND Adam Scott. #EverythingWentBetterThanExpected
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Max Got a lot crossed off my to-do list tonight, and I'm starting to feel significantly less freaked about about, well, life.
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Eric Limer I need trephination like I need a hole in the head.
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Max AIM CHAT: I like you, too. *belushis*
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Eric Limer Listening to Call Me Maybe and cropping screengrabs of Twitter bots. It's times like this that I really love my job.
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James Plafke Popular rapper Ladies Love Removed Eyes.
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Eric Limer I am genuinely enjoying using So.cl to make weird picture mash-ups. I just made a collage of becks. http://t.co/ulGbDbwn
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Eric Limer This Facebook IPO coverage needs to stop cuz I'm seriously sick of seeing Zuckerberg staring creepily at me from the top of every story.
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Max Put on your poodle skirts and choose your favorite syrup because we're gonna have a sock-hop at the iHop.
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James Plafke I just threatened my mom to email me something by telling her I'd discuss with her all the lady celebrities I'd have sex with.
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Max New Hallmark Card: "I held an extended conversation with you without being able to remember your name" Inside: "I'm sorry."
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Eric Limer To any of you bros who might like to ice me, I encourage you to act on that urge, bro.
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Eric Limer If anyone is looking for some totally garbled, nigh-incomprehensible ad copy, I'm your man.
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Eric Limer What? None of my Facebook friends are on So.cl? How can this be?!
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Eric Limer "Does this mustache look creepy? Experts are blind; can't tell."
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Rollin Bishop Lin Beifong is suddenly one of the best things about Legend of Korra.
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