"Saturday Night Live" is close to returning for an astounding 45th season, and the cast is preparing to take on whatever headlines come their way, even if it's harder than ever to satirize world events, according to cast member Kyle Mooney.
"It already is the weirdest, funniest possible version, just of reality, so what more can we do to it?"
Mooney knows in today's world, he needs to be ready for just about anything.
"Things are happening so quickly," he confessed, "We can have most of the show prepared by Friday, then there'll be some major news story, and we need to come up with something entirely new."
Still, it's not something the show can just ignore.
"The news cycle has been a crazy influence on the show, and it's something we have to deal with," Mooney said.
The writer and director of "Brigsby Bear" is getting ready for his seventh season on the iconic sketch comedy series, and unlike other comedians whose sense of humor has failed to keep them on for the long-run, like Zach Galifianakis and Sarah Silverman, he clearly has some staying power. Not that he seems to know why.
"I've just been fortunate in the sense that sometimes we get that stuff on the show, and people seem to like me. I don't know if there's a math to staying on the show, or what it is," he said. "I just try to be cool around people and have fun, and it's working so far."
Season 45 of "Saturday Night Live" premieres September 28 on NBC.
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay activating their 5G services for two weeks after Airlines for America, a lobbying group that represents American, Delta, and other airlines, filed a petition last week with the FCC to stop the deployment of 5G in the U.S. over concerns that the network can interfere with certain systems on airplanes. President Biden spoke out about it, saying it would avoid further delays and cancellations of flights. Light Reading 5G and Mobile Strategies Director Mike Dano joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Nick Hotchkin, WW chief operating officer, joins Cheddar News to talk about the company's latest program innovation 'PersonalPoints.' Liv Bowser, founder of Liberate, talks to our Hena Doba about creating the first mental fitness studio. Meanwhile, students in Illinois will now receive 5 mental health days per year, State Senator Robert Martwick tell us more about the bill.
Americans looking to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests will now have to shell out a bit more money after an agreement expired between the White House and companies to sell the tests at cost. The price of Abbot's BinaxNow test kit from October to December was $14 apiece; on Tuesday, Walmart's website listed the test for $19.88, and Kroger listed the tests for $23.99. Carbon Health Regional Clinical Director Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the impact higher prices will have as the nation experiences another surge in cases.
Caroline Polisi, Criminal Defense Attorney & Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, breaks down the Holmes verdict and how this case impacts the reputation of female entrepreneurs.
As millions of kids go back to school, districts across the country are determined to keep class in person, despite a surge in COVID cases. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has vowed to keep the nation's largest school system open amid Omicron, citing the disastrous effect of remote learning on students. Oswald Feliz, NYC council member who sits on the health and education committee, joined Cheddar to discuss the city's plan to combat the recent surge and keep kids in school.
Schools across the country are determined to keep class in session, despite the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant. While many parents prefer in-person learning, they also worry whether the current public health guidelines will be enough to protect their kids. Erin Richards, national education reporter for USA Today, joined Cheddar to discuss how are schools are preparing for the surge to avoid another round of remote learning.
Joe Sanberg, Business leader, entrepreneur, and anti-poverty advocate, joins Cheddar News to discuss his push for an $18 minimum wage in California, and how employers are reacting to minimum wage hikes across the country.
Illinois State Senator Robert Martwick joins Cheddar News to discuss the new bill he co-sponsored allowing students in the state to take 5 mental health days without a doctor's note.