Latest news with #Aykroyd
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dan Aykroyd explains why he skipped 'SNL 50' special and reveals moment that made him emotional watching at home
Aykroyd is still a devoted viewer of "Saturday Night Live" to this day. After all these years, Dan Aykroyd still isn't ready for primetime, but in this case, it was his choice. Earlier this year, Aykroyd, who broke out as an original member of the Saturday Night Live cast in the 1970s, was noticeably absent from the SNL 50 anniversary special. But he's still close to his Studio 8H roots and is even releasing a forthcoming graphic novel that continues the story of the Blues Brothers, one of his most iconic SNL characters. As it turns out, Aykroyd loves the NBC sketch show so much that he actively chose to sit out the 50th so that he could watch the special without interruption from home. "I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end," Aykroyd reveals to Entertainment Weekly while stopping by our video studio at Comic-Con 2025. "I knew if i was there, I'd be in a dressing room, I'd be working," he continues. "I wanted to see it live. I'm a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they're just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn." Several of Aykroyd's fellow original cast members were present, however, including Laraine Newman and Jane Curtin. Newman even did a sketch with more recent alum Pete Davidson in which she reminisced about her time on the show, while Davidson reprised his recurring character of Chad, responding "Okay" to Newman's heartfelt memories. Newman and Curtin also were responsible for one of the night's most moving moments, holding up a photograph of the late Gilda Radner during the cast's goodbyes at the end of the show. "Lorraine's piece definitely," Aykroyd responds when asked about what segment of the show made him most emotional. "That was beautiful. That was wonderful." Aykroyd also reminisces about his time making The Blues Brothers alongside blues legends that he grew up admiring. He remembers his time filming with Aretha Franklin in the diner in particular, noting that he was incredibly nervous to be sharing the screen with her. "As soon as she started to sing, I got a feeling in my stomach," he shares. "When I stood up off the stool, I thought my legs were going to buckle.""Jake and Elwood are still in jail in 1997, and now they're trophies and no one wants to let them go," Aykroyd teases of the book, which hits shelves on Oct. 7. "And the story picks up from there." Aykroyd also weighed in on Dylan O'Brien's portrayal of him in last year's Saturday Night. Watch his full interview in the livestream above. Check out more of . Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Dan Aykroyd finally reveals why he skipped the ‘SNL 50' special
Live from his living room…. Original 'Saturday Night Live' cast member Dan Aykroyd is finally revealing why he skipped the big 'SNL50' special in February. The three-hour event celebrated a landmark 50 years of the iconic NBC sketch comedy show. Many former cast members were in attendance, including Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Eddie Murphy, and Amy Poehler. Past hosts such as Jack Nicholson, 87, also attended, even though Nicholson has been spotted in public less frequently in recent years. 'I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,' Aykroyd, 73, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Thursday. 9 Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman in a 'The Coneheads' sketch on 'SNL' in the '70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Dan Aykroyd attends a panel for 'The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake' during Comic-Con International on in San Diego on July 24, 2025. Andrew Park/Invision/AP 9 The 'Saturday Night Live' original cast in 1975: Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, and Dan Aykroyd. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'I knew if i was there, I'd be in a dressing room, I'd be working. I wanted to see it live,' the 'Ghostbusters' star continued. 'I'm a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they're just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.' Aykroyd was in the cast when 'SNL' first premiered in 1975, along with John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman. The latter two were at the 'SNL 50' event. Newman, 73, did a sketch with Pete Davidson where she reminisced about her time on the show. When asked what part of the show made him most emotional, Aykroyd said, 'Laraine's piece definitely. That was beautiful. That was wonderful.' In November, Aykroyd previously weighed in on the rumors that 'SNL' boss Lorne Michaels, 80, may retire. 9 Paul Shaffer, Scarlett Johansson, Alex Moffat, Emil Wakim, Chloe Fineman, James Austin John, Paul Rudd, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Devon Walker, Taran Killem, Ana Gasteyer, John Mulaney, Kristen Wiig, Kenan Thompson, Pete Davidson, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Sherman as Michael Bloomberg, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, David Spade, Adam Driver, Kyle Mooney, Cecily Strong, Beck Bennett, and Nick Jonas on February 16, 2025. Theo Wargo/NBC 9 Lorne Michaels, Paul McCartney, Colin Jost, and more at the end of the 'SNL 50' special. Theo Wargo/NBC 9 Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as the 'Blues Brothers' in 1975. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection 'That ain't happening. No. Lorne is not retiring. He's got the greatest gig in New York City. He has influence and power,' he exclusively told The Post. 'And he works in a job that keeps him laughing every day. So why would he want to leave that?' Michaels has shepherded 'Saturday Night Live' for 50 years, since the inaugural 1975 season that included Aykroyd. Although Michaels hasn't announced retirement plans, he told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' in 2021 that he thinks he's 'committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years. 'I'd like to see that through, and I have a feeling that would be a really good time to leave,' he said at the time. Aykroyd said that in theory, there are other people who might be able to helm the show 'but it's not Lorne, and he's not leaving. He loves it. He's the only one who can do it, really… it's his life.' 9 Leslie Jones as Shanice, Tracy Morgan as Darius, Eddie Murphy as Tracy during the 'SNL 50' special. Chris Haston/NBC 9 Dan Aykroyd in a sketch as former Pres. Nixon in the '70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin in a sketch as 'Two Wild and Crazy Guys' circa the 70s. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection The 'Coneheads' star's time on 'SNL' was also dramatized in the 2024 movie 'Saturday Night,' which is about the events leading up to the show's inaugural broadcast in 1975. In the film, Dylan O'Brien ('Teen Wolf') plays Aykroyd. 'I thought it was like a suspense thriller, and beautifully executed by the cast,' he told The Post. 'I think it's a masterpiece, honestly. I think it could be up for Best Picture [at the Oscars].' The movie earned one Golden Globe nomination, but no Oscar noms. 'As I was there that night, the depictions of some of the characters were right on,' Aykroyd added. 'And, the tension of whether we were going to make it to air or not is expertly depicted. I liked it a lot.'
News18
31-05-2025
- Business
- News18
8th Pay Commission: Delay Likely, But Will All Retirees After January 2026 Get Its Benefits?
Last Updated: The 8th Pay Commission for central government employees and pensioners may be delayed beyond January 1, 2026, but retirees after this date may still benefit from revised pensions. As discussions around the 8th Pay Commission continue among central government employees and pensioners, reports suggest that its implementation is likely to be delayed from the earlier expected date of January 1, 2026. Now, one key question is drawing attention: Will those retiring on or after January 1, 2026, still benefit if the pay commission's recommendations are delayed? 8th Pay Commission: What's The Status? The 8th Central Pay Commission, which will review and revise the salary structure, allowances, and pensions of over 50 lakh central government employees and around 65 lakh pensioners, was announced by the central government in January 2025. Its terms of reference (ToR) and members have not been finalised yet. However, last month, the government issued a circular informing that various vacancies, around 35 posts, will be filled on a deputation basis for the 8th Pay Commission. Pay commissions are typically constituted every 10 years, with the last (7th Pay Commission) being implemented from January 1, 2016. Its term is coming to an end on December 31, 2025. As its chairman, members and ToR have not been finalised yet, widespread expectations point to delay in its implementation to late 2026 or early 2027, against the expected timeline of January 1, 2026. Why Is It Getting Delayed? There has been no formal communication from the Ministry of Finance or the Department of Expenditure on the timeline. However, delays could be attributed to fiscal considerations and alternative pay adjustment mechanisms like the Aykroyd formula and inflation-linked increments, though they have not replaced the need for a full-fledged commission. Yes, if the commission's recommendations are implemented with a retrospective date (as in the past), those retiring after January 1, 2026, will receive revised pension and salary arrears. For example, when the 7th Pay Commission was implemented in 2016, many beneficiaries received arrears for months before the actual rollout date. What Kind of Salary Hike Is Expected? While official figures are yet to emerge, analysts and employee unions speculate that the minimum basic pay may increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000, representing a hike of around 40-44 per cent. According to several reports, the fitment factor, a key multiplier for revising salaries, could be 1.96 in the 8th pay commission, although this remains unconfirmed. If the fitment factor is 1.92, then Level 1 government employees may see a salary jump of around Rs 15,000 per month, which is about a 40% increase in take-home pay under the 8th Pay Commission. First Published:
NBC News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Dan Aykroyd acknowledges his absence from ‘SNL50'
Dan Aykroyd has broken his silence about not appearing at 'SNL50.' Aykroyd, one of the original stars of 'Saturday Night Live,' was not in attendance for the show's 50th anniversary special last weekend, leading fans to wonder just where he was. In a Feb. 19 post on X, the comedian paid homage to the prime-time event and concert, as well as 'SNL' creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels. 'All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th,' he wrote. 'Advantage of not attending — got to see every second of concert and show on TV. Quote from my children: 'Look at daddy's smile!' Had it from start to finish. Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual.' Aykroyd, who didn't provide a reason for his absence in his post, was one of the linchpins of the original 'SNL' cast back in 1975, known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, which also included Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman. Aykroyd, who starred on 'SNL' for four seasons, was the only remaining living member of the original cast not at the special. Fans on X were not shy about telling him how much they wanted him to be there. 'You were greatly missed!' one person wrote. 'You were the most conspicuously absent of all the former cast members. We missed seeing you. Hope all is well,' someone else commented. 'I wish you had attended, Dan,' lamented another fan. 'If any cast member deserved to be there, it was you. You and the late, great Phil Hartman are my two favorite SNL cast members ever.' Aykroyd had previously acknowledged the anniversary special before it aired. 'Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago,' he wrote on X on Feb. 14. 'This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America's greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it's friggin' Holy!!' While Aykroyd didn't turn out for the show, he did take part in the 40th anniversary special in 2015, with a new take on his beloved Bass-O-Matic sketch. Aykroyd was one of multiple former 'SNL' stars who didn't attend the prime-time special celebrating the show's 50th anniversary. Bill Hader, who was a staple of the late-night program during his run from 2005 until 2013, was also not on hand. He had 'a longstanding schedule conflict,' a representative for the actor told
CNN
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Dan Aykroyd acknowledges his absence at ‘SNL50' special and shares the ‘advantage of not attending'
'Saturday Night Live' alum Dan Aykroyd has some glowing words for his former boss Lorne Michaels and the late-night show's glitzy 50th anniversary special that took place over the weekend. The actor, who is one of the original 'SNL' cast members, was noticeably absent from the special that aired live on Sunday, but he shared that he was able to watch it on TV and loved every minute. 'All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th. Advantage of not attending - got to see every second of concert and show on TV,' Aykroyd wrote on X on Wednesday. He went on to share a quote from his children: ''Look at daddy's smile!' Had it from start to finish. Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual,' he wrote. The 'Ghostbusters' star won a Primetime Emmy in 1977 for his writing on the show, and went on to be nominated four more times in both writing and acting categories. He served as a cast member from the show's inception in 1975 until 1979, and is known for skits including the 'Coneheads' and 'Bass-O-Matic.' Aykroyd's 'SNL' Season 1 costars Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris and Jane Curtin all attended, or were part of, Sunday's telecast. During the farewell, Newman and Curtin were seen holding up a picture of the late Gilda Radner, who was also an original cast member until 1980. Radner died in 1989. Aykroyd couldn't attend the anniversary special in person because of 'prior commitments,' his representative told Variety. Beloved 'SNL' alum Bill Hader was also noticeably absent from the special, but a representative for Hader previously told CNN that he was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
