‘We Found Love’ singer will be the musical guest on the May 5 episode, hosted by Eli Manning. By John Mitchell Rihanna Photo: Getty Images Rihanna will hit the “Saturday Night Live” stage for the third time when she performs on the legendary sketch comedy show on May 5. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will host. The pop star has a long history with the show and has always been a standout guest. While she always nails it on stage for her musical performance, Rihanna also tends to pop up throughout the show to flex her comedy muscles in sketches and, most notably, in rumored-to-be-departing Andy Samberg’s buzzed-about digital shorts. Her first “Shy Ronnie” short landed an Emmy nomination and she reprised the role for another digital short over Halloween weekend in 2010, playing Clyde to Shy Ronnie’s Bonnie as the unlikely couple holds up a bank and Ronnie’s bashful nature causes their plan to go array. For all intents and purposes, Rihanna’s appearance is to promote both her album Talk That Talk and her film debut in the upcoming “Battleship,” but for those still keeping an eye on the happenings of Ri Ri and ex Chris Brown, it’s worth noting that May 5 is also Brown’s birthday, so get ready for plenty of “will Chris Brown show up for a surprise appearance” speculation. The gig will be Manning’s first time hosting, though he made a brief cameo when his brother, Peyton, hosted in 2007. Are you excited for Rihanna’s “SNL” return? Do you think Chris Brown will show up with some “Birthday Cake”? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Rihanna
‘We Found Love’ singer will be the musical guest on the May 5 episode, hosted by Eli Manning. By John Mitchell Rihanna Photo: Getty Images Rihanna will hit the “Saturday Night Live” stage for the third time when she performs on the legendary sketch comedy show on May 5. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will host. The pop star has a long history with the show and has always been a standout guest. While she always nails it on stage for her musical performance, Rihanna also tends to pop up throughout the show to flex her comedy muscles in sketches and, most notably, in rumored-to-be-departing Andy Samberg’s buzzed-about digital shorts. Her first “Shy Ronnie” short landed an Emmy nomination and she reprised the role for another digital short over Halloween weekend in 2010, playing Clyde to Shy Ronnie’s Bonnie as the unlikely couple holds up a bank and Ronnie’s bashful nature causes their plan to go array. For all intents and purposes, Rihanna’s appearance is to promote both her album Talk That Talk and her film debut in the upcoming “Battleship,” but for those still keeping an eye on the happenings of Ri Ri and ex Chris Brown, it’s worth noting that May 5 is also Brown’s birthday, so get ready for plenty of “will Chris Brown show up for a surprise appearance” speculation. The gig will be Manning’s first time hosting, though he made a brief cameo when his brother, Peyton, hosted in 2007. Are you excited for Rihanna’s “SNL” return? Do you think Chris Brown will show up with some “Birthday Cake”? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Rihanna
‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ singer Kimbra jokes that she probably won’t appear in any sketches on late-night comedy show. By Jocelyn Vena Kimbra Photo: MTV News Looking for some moody music to set the tone this Saturday night? Well, Kimbra and Gotye have your back. The chart-topping duo are set to perform their heartbreaking track “Somebody That I Used to Know” this week on “Saturday Night Live” as the show’s musical guests. When Kimbra stopped by the MTV Newsroom on Friday (April 13), just one day before her late-night performance, she opened up about the opportunity to hit the stage in the famed studio. ” ‘Saturday Night Live’ is going to be great. I’m really excited,” she said. “We’ve had a few rehearsals. It’s really cool to just get a feel of the whole vibe. I’ve heard such great stuff about the experience. It’s gonna be awesome.” While many musical artists have joined in the fun of appearing in comedy sketches on the show, Kimbra admits she won’t be cracking any jokes this weekend. “Not that I know of! I hope not. That would be fun, but I’m not very funny!” the native New Zealander shared, noting that she’s mostly only watched clips online. “I haven’t seen all that much of the show. I’ve seen little bits here and there. I know Tina Fey used to be on it. It looks so much fun. It’s gonna be great. “I think ‘SNL’ is so well-known for its musical performances, as well, and people really breaking into America through a really great performance on there,” she added. “So I think me and Gotye are both really excited to be amongst such company. You know, it’s great.” This gig is yet another milestone for Kimbra and Gotye as they continue to find small-screen and chart success with “Somebody That I Used to Know.” It was covered on “Glee” and has been featured on “The Voice” and “American Idol.” This week’s “SNL” will be hosted by “Men in Black III” star Josh Brolin . Related Artists Kimbra Gotye
‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ singer Kimbra jokes that she probably won’t appear in any sketches on late-night comedy show. By Jocelyn Vena Kimbra Photo: MTV News Looking for some moody music to set the tone this Saturday night? Well, Kimbra and Gotye have your back. The chart-topping duo are set to perform their heartbreaking track “Somebody That I Used to Know” this week on “Saturday Night Live” as the show’s musical guests. When Kimbra stopped by the MTV Newsroom on Friday (April 13), just one day before her late-night performance, she opened up about the opportunity to hit the stage in the famed studio. ” ‘Saturday Night Live’ is going to be great. I’m really excited,” she said. “We’ve had a few rehearsals. It’s really cool to just get a feel of the whole vibe. I’ve heard such great stuff about the experience. It’s gonna be awesome.” While many musical artists have joined in the fun of appearing in comedy sketches on the show, Kimbra admits she won’t be cracking any jokes this weekend. “Not that I know of! I hope not. That would be fun, but I’m not very funny!” the native New Zealander shared, noting that she’s mostly only watched clips online. “I haven’t seen all that much of the show. I’ve seen little bits here and there. I know Tina Fey used to be on it. It looks so much fun. It’s gonna be great. “I think ‘SNL’ is so well-known for its musical performances, as well, and people really breaking into America through a really great performance on there,” she added. “So I think me and Gotye are both really excited to be amongst such company. You know, it’s great.” This gig is yet another milestone for Kimbra and Gotye as they continue to find small-screen and chart success with “Somebody That I Used to Know.” It was covered on “Glee” and has been featured on “The Voice” and “American Idol.” This week’s “SNL” will be hosted by “Men in Black III” star Josh Brolin . Related Artists Kimbra Gotye
Our columnist comes to terms with the latest wave of tween heartthrobs, in Bigger Than the Sound. By James Montgomery One Direction Photo: Getty Images No matter what my detractors (or therapist) might claim, I am not a 13-year-old girl. This probably explains why, up until this weekend, I remained largely unaware of the entire One Direction phenomenon — which is sort of indefensible, considering they made chart history with their #1 debut just last month, have spent quality time with Justin Bieber and display the kind of comb-over acumen that a slightly balding man like myself should probably be taking note of. Though now, thanks to their (genuinely not totally terrible) performance on “Saturday Night Live,” and a creeping sense of inevitability that only comes from living through the previous two boy-band eras (O-Town 4 Ever), I am willing to admit that it’s probably time I get to know the guys in 1D. Their names are Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis, they were formed from the ashes of the U.K.’s “X Factor,” and they are the logical successors to everything that has happened in the past five years of tween pop: a tight-trousered hybrid of the Disney factory’s saccharine hooks, Bieber’s hair, Miley’s Ziplocked vocals, Cody Simpson’s looks and the clean-cut camaraderie of the Jonas Brothers (or AllStar Weekend, who must really be jealous right now). In short, they were basically destined to happen. And happen big. In fact, One Direction might end up being the biggest thing to happen in a long time. Either them or fellow band-of-heartthrobs the Wanted, who only seem to be different in that they are older, hornier — their biggest hit to date is called “Glad You Came” — and able to unbutton their shirts (though, it should be noted that 1D’er Harry could probably be an honorary member of the Wanted, since he ). Perhaps both of them can coexist peacefully. After all, one need only look back to the last great era of boy bands — the late ’90s and early ‘aughts, when ‘NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys battled for supremacy — to realize that the music industry truly is big enough for two titans of tween. If that’s the case (and it probably is), well, then 1D are unquestionably this generation’s ‘NSYNC, and the Wanted the new BSB, since the former display a youthful exuberance and the latter, well, they’re not afraid to (which was A.J.’s only notable contribution to the Boys). All joking aside, though, I can’t help wonder if we know what we’re getting ourselves into here. I am aware that most 1D or the Wanted fans are probably too young to remember the last wave of boy-band mania, but suffice it to say, it was pretty terrible. Dudes had frosted tips and wore baggy neon pants. Aaron Carter got a recording contract. Are we really prepared to live in a world where boy bands are king? Are we ready for the dozens of coattail riders that will surely follow? Can we live with LFO version 2.0? The new Dream Street? 99 Degrees? All of this will happen, mark my words. Be prepared. And yet, I am beginning to realize that perhaps my opinion does not matter. After all, I am a 33-year-old music critic. I like the Cloud Nothings record and was not aware until today that Harry sleeps naked and Louis likes girls who eat carrots. And these are important things to know! By now, I’ve been around long enough to realize that pop music is eternally cyclical, that boy bands were bound to rise again, and that, as always, youth is king. Perhaps I’d be best served to just step out of the way, watch as the same mistakes are made and marvel at the sheer spectacle of history repeating itself. It is as inevitable as One Direction’s rise, really, if not more so. Enjoy it, kids, because I guarantee: Eventually you’ll look back on all this and laugh. And if that sounds like the ranting of a bitter old man, well, so be it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do my hair like Liam. He’s “the sensible one,” after all. What do you think of the latest wave of boy bands? Do you think there will be more to come? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: One Direction Bigger Than The Sound: Stories Behind The Bands Related Artists The Wanted One Direction
‘When I do leave, it will be the hardest thing,’ Wiig says about her eventual departure from the show. By Gil Kaufman Kristen Wiig on SNL Photo: NBC No more Target Lady. No More Gillie. No more boozy Kathie Lee Gifford. No more loopy Bjork. On Monday, break-out “Saturday Night Live” star Kristen Wiig heightened speculation that her seven-year run on the show may be coming to an end. Just days after rumors surfaced that Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg could be flying the coop at the end of this season, Wiig was interviewed on Alec Baldwin’s popular podcast on Monday and hinted that the end may be nigh. “I don’t know,” Wiig said when Baldwin asked if her run on “SNL” could be “winding down” soon. “Everyone has to leave…and I will say that when I do leave, it’s not because I’m sick of it and not because I see something better or anything like that. It’s just that it’s time. When I do leave, it will be the hardest thing.” Even as she became one of the most valuable cast members of the show over the past few years with her many go-for-broke characters and spot-on impressions of everyone from Lana Del Rey to Kris Jenner and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Wiig has tasted the fruits of big-screen success as well thanks to the smash “Bridesmaids” . She not only co-starred in the film, but also co-wrote it with pal Annie Mumolo, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The 38-year-old actress, who appeared in bit parts in films such as “Knocked Up,” “Adventureland,” “Whip It!” and “Date Night,” also told Baldwin that she’s got some big plans on the horizon that don’t involve late-night TV. “People are always so surprised when I want to do dramatic stuff,” she said. “There are a couple of things that I’m looking at doing next that aren’t comedies at all. One of them is really not at all.” Though she would not cough up the details on said dramatic project, Baldwin tweaked her by saying that the versatile comic would have “absolutely no prospects whatsoever” when she left the show. “It’s a really ballsy move on your part because who the F is going to hire you?” he joked about the “SNL” star that executive producer and show creator Lorne Michaels has called one of the top three actors to ever appear on the show. “I don’t know. I may go back to open up a canoe shop,” she fired back. According to her IMDB page, Wiig has a number of movies in the can, including vocal work on “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” as well as roles in “The Comedian,” “Freezing People is Easy,” a re-make of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Imogene” and “Revenge for Jolly!” Though an unnamed insider told Us Weekly that Wiig, Sudeikis and Samberg are leaving at season’s end and that a pal said, “Kristen was talking about leaving a while ago … with her movie success, it’s no surprise,” a spokesperson for Wiig and Sudeikis squashed the talk. “There is no truth to this rumor on both Jason and Kristen’s behalf,” the spokesperson said. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Bridesmaids’
‘There’s an American rapper, potentially, and he’s very good and I can’t mention who he is,’ Tom Parker hints to MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino The Wanted Photo: MTV News The Wanted dropped their swagged-out party track “Chasing the Sun” this week, and despite any literal interpretations one might expect from a video for a song with that title, the guys say they want to go a bit more fun and less obvious. “We’re gonna be flying through space, literally, running after the sun the whole three minutes,” Nathan Sykes joked to MTV News after they stepped off the “American Idol” stage Thursday night. But bandmate Jay McGuiness quickly clarified that’s not the case at all. “We saw a lot of treatments and a lot of them took it literally, somewhere chasing the sun,” he said. “But we decided we weren’t into that. We worked with a director called Director X, so we know it’s going to be a good party. But we’ll leave the details until we release it.” Director X has already hooked up with the guys on two of their videos, the sun-drenched “Glad You Came” and the darker clip for “Warzone.” “Chasing the Sun” is the lead single from the Wanted’s forthcoming U.S. debut , set for release later this month, and Max George is counting down the days until it drops. “We’ve got an EP coming out in the 24th of April that’s all ready to go. I wish it was out now, really,” he said. “We’re really excited for it to come out. Hopefully all our fans will love the other songs. We’ve got some singles we’ve done in the U.K. We’ve got some new songs we’ve written. I think they’ll like it, I hope.” And while the album is done, Tom Parker noted there could be a last-minute guest on it. “For ‘Chasing the Sun’ there’s an American rapper, potentially, and he’s very good and I can’t mention who he is,” he teased. The guys added he’s someone who loves cats but noted it’s not Cee Lo Green, who frequently chills with his cat Purrfect on “The Voice.” Sykes said the rapper would appear on “just the single version; the full version of the track will be on the EP. Potentially the single version is with this unnamed rapper. He’s very talented.” What is your favorite song by the Wanted? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists The Wanted
The band will make their acting debut on ‘iCarly’ Saturday, the same night they take the ‘SNL’ stage. By Christina Garibaldi One Direction on “iCarly” Photo: Nickelodeon One Direction fans, get ready, because you are about to get a double dose of the boy band this Saturday night. The British pop sensation will take the stage as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and will also make their television acting debut on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly.” Fans have been patiently waiting the special episode, “iGo One Direction,” since it was taped in January. MTV News visited the set of “iCarly” recently to talk to the cast about their exciting guest stars. Noah Munck, who plays Gibby, gave us a preview of what will happen on Saturday’s show, including One Directioner Harry Styles catching a disease called “jungle worms” from Carly. “Gibby is a huge fan of One Direction, he screams like a little girl every time they come in the room, so that definitely was a fun episode to shoot,” Munck added. And in terms of their acting abilities, it seems like the One Direction boys got rave reviews from the cast. “Having One Direction on set was really cool, we didn’t really know what to expect from them, because we had heard that they didn’t really have any acting experience because they have a lot of lines and are almost in every scene. So we were uncertain as to how well the shooting would go,” Nathan Krauss said. “But we were all very pleasantly surprised they did very, very well, especially Harry, because he had to pretend to be sick the whole time. … It was cool, just seeing the five of us mesh with the five of them.” In addition to adjusting to five new people on set, the “iCarly” also had to deal with the hundreds of screaming fans who waited outside the show for hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the 1D boys. “It was a crazy day here,” Munck said. “Along the fence of our studio was like maybe 200 screaming girls. I’m like, ‘Oh are they here for me?’ No, they’re here for the band. I hear they tried to push the gates down to get in. It got intense.” Yet, the biggest 1D fan of them all might just be the star of “iCarly” herself, Miranda Cosgrove. “I’ve known about them for probably the last two years, so I liked them a lot,” Cosgrove said, saying she first discovered the band watching the U.K.’s “The X Factor.” “I was really excited to have them on the show. Every one of them was really funny and they all knew their lines and I think they have very good chemistry and they seem like really good friends.” “iCarly” airs Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon. Will you be watching One Direction on “iCarly”? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists One Direction
Whoever Katherine Jenkins is, she’s pretty awesome! More than a few Dancing With the Stars viewers probably had that thought Monday, as the Welsh opera singer surged past the entire field – even Latin heart throb William Levy – to claim sole possession of first place again. The theme of the night was the “Most Memorable Year” of the contestants’ lives, and an emotional Jenkins, 31, dedicated her waltz to her late father. She reeled in the big points, and stirred big emotions, as she and pro partner Mark Ballas, danced to Josh Groban’s song “To Where You Are.” Watch: Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas – Waltz (DWTS Week 3) Her devotion and attention to detail – technical and emotional – was one of the highlights of the night by any measure.
Alec Baldwin turns 54 years old today, but he went ahead and gave himself an early birthday present over the weekend. The actor proposed to yoga guru Hilaria Thomas ! We send our very best to this newly-engaged couple, while also sending our birthday wishes to the Capital One spokesperson/Oscar nominee/unparalleled Saturday Night Live host/ 30 Rock star behind the Jack Donaghy quotes that crack us up on a weekly basis. Perhaps we’ll purchase a new tuxedo for Baldwin in honor of this occasion. After all, it’s past 6 p.m. somewhere and what is he, a farmer? Other stars celebrating birthdays today include: Amanda Bynes (26), Jennie Garth (40), Picabo Street (41) and Eddie Murphy (51).
