SNL

The puzzle has finally been solved -- President Obama's terrible debate performance last week was all Michelle Obama's fault ... at least according to "Saturday Night Live."

Last night SNL spoofed Obama and Romney's initial showdown -- offering one hysterical explanation for POTUS (played by Jay Pharoah) choking: he was really thinking about a last minute anniversary gift for the First Lady.

Coffee mug? Denver Bronco's sweatshirt? Bathrobe?

Seth MacFarlane absolutely DESTROYED Ryan Lochte during this weekend's "Saturday Night Live" ... and while the swimming star says he hasn't had a chance to see it yet, he certainly didn't seem too pleased about it.

MacFarlane appeared as Lochte during the "Weekend Update" sketch to do a preview of the new shows on television. Seth portrayed Lochte as an ABSOLUTE IDIOT ... referring to the new show "Go On" as "Goon" (he didn't realize it was two words) and at one point randomly saying, "It feels so weird to be dry."

Lochte told us over the weekend he hasn't checked it out yet -- but judging by his tone, he probably heard how brutal it was.

If, like Lochte, you haven't seen it either ... check it out below. We give it six swims.

Seth Myers tells TMZ he's already taken himself OUT of the running to play Paul Ryan on the upcoming season of "Saturday Night Live" ... insisting the identity of new Paul imposter is a closely guarded secret.

Myers -- who's the head writer on the show -- was walking his bike in NYC this week ... did drop one obvious nugget, we're DEFINITELY getting a Mitt Romney sketch on the season premiere.

1) Bill Hader
2) Taran Killam
3) Bobby Moynihan
4) Jay Pharoah (Um...)
5) Kenan Thompson (Yeah...)
6) Random new guy (crap shoot)

Choose wisely Seth.

Tom Davis, the comedic genius behind some classic "Saturday Night Live" skits ... died from neck and throat cancer today.

Davis and Al Franken were the comedic duo responsible for writing several of the bits that helped make Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd huge stars in the early days of 'SNL.'

Davis died at his home in a New York City suburb. He was diagnosed with cancer back in 2009.

A couple of legendary gems on Davis' 'SNL' resume include "Coneheads" and "Nick the Lounge Singer."

There's a reason Rihanna's arm was hooked up to a bunch of needles and tubes yesterday -- sources close to Rihanna tell TMZ, the singer had been struck down with a bad case of the flu ... and required an IV drip.

Sources tell us, she started feeling really ill last week and saw a doctor on Thursday ... but by the time of her "Saturday Night Live" appearance, she still wasn't fully recovered.

As we first reported, Rihanna missed the SNL dress rehearsal because she was sick -- but show producers didn't buy her excuse ... insisting she didn't appear ill.

But looks might be deceiving -- because we're told Rihanna wasn't just ill during her SNL performance, she also continued to feel sick the next few days ... and her doc was forced to put her on Penicillin.

Soon after, Rihanna began to experience flu-like symptoms -- requiring IV treatment yesterday, which is when she posted the above picture on Twitter.

Rihanna was a no-show for her final rehearsal for "Saturday Night Live" last night -- which did not sit well with the show's producers, including head man Lorne Michaels ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, RiRi called in sick for the dress rehearsal, which is done live in front of a studio audience right before the actual show. We're told Michaels takes dress rehearsals very seriously and was quite upset when Rihanna bailed at the last minute.

Our sources say that in her place, Rihanna's choreographer danced to her songs.

When Rihanna showed up later looking just fine, we're told the staff was shocked ... and felt she didn't appear sick enough to have missed the dress rehearsal ... though no one from the show called her on it.

According to our sources, once the live show got going, Rihanna was seen eating an apple and walking around in between songs ... which bothered several staffers because she did not seem ill at all.

We're told producers can't even remember the last time someone has skipped the dress rehearsal.

Sources close to Rihanna tell TMZ she went through every rehearsal except the dress rehearsal (which she was in the building for) because she just felt too ill to do it. We're told RiRi had a doctor come to her dressing room before the show and administer a shot of penicillin before she went on.

Lindsay Lohan was all set to continue her obsession with Marilyn Monroe during last week's "Saturday Night Live" -- but a sketch featuring her and Jon Hamm was scrapped at the last minute ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, the sketch was to feature Lindsay as Marilyn and Hamm as JFK appearing to Rick Santorum (played by Andy Samberg) while he is at a conservative event (see photo above).

During the sketch, Marilyn and JFK explain Marilyn was on birth control provided to her by Medicare, which causes Santorum to vomit uncontrollably. Santorum (the real one) recently said that JFK's speech from 1960 about keeping religion out of politics "makes [him] want to throw up."

In the end, we're told the sketch made it all the way to rehearsals, and was even performed in front of a live audience, but was ultimately cut because of time constraints.

Love it or hate it, there's at least one person who thinks Lindsay Lohan did a great job on "Saturday Night Live" last night ... and that's Lindsay herself.

Sources close to Lindsay tell TMZ she understands it wasn't a perfect show, but she feels proud of the episode. We're told there were several last minute changes -- including ditching her singing monologue in favor of one with cameos from Jimmy Fallon and Jon Hamm (see below).

Our sources say Lindsay was excited to be back working and really missed being a part of the action.

According to our sources, Lindsay understands people are going to bash her performance regardless ... but she feels she did the best she could do.

So we gotta ask ...

Lindsay Lohan was seen leaving her New York hotel this morning, script in hand, as she gets ready to host "Saturday Night Live" tonight.

As TMZ previously reported, LiLo plans to sing her opening monologue and from there ... nothing is off limits. We're also told Lindsay has invited several famous friends to cameo on the show, but no word on exactly who will make an appearance.

Lindsay is counting on tonight's "SNL" to re-launch her career. So we gotta ask ...

Lindsay Lohan's taking her music career to the next level on SNL tonight -- TMZ has learned, the actress plans to SING the majority of her opening monologue on the sketch show.

Sources tell TMZ, nothing's off the table either -- Lindsay will poke fun at all the recent mishaps in her life ... arrests, endless court dates, necklace-stealing sagas, jail, morgue duty ... the list goes on.

But Lindsay won't be alone on stage -- we're told several cast members will join her in chorus.

Sources tell us, Lindsay wants to show the world she doesn't take herself as seriously as people think -- and actually has a sense of humor about the legal troubles that have plagued her the last few years.

We're told Lindsay has also extended several personal invites to famous friends to join her on the show -- and they unanimously accepted. No word yet on who the surprise guests might be.

Bottom line ... Lindsay knows there's a lot riding on tonight's performance -- so she's determined to make it one for the ages, practicing non-stop all week long.

Speaking of singing -- let's all take a moment to remember Lindsay's foray into pop music ...

Lindsay Lohan has been the butt of jokes on "Saturday Night Live" for years, but TMZ has learned that this coming Saturday ... the LiLo jokes will be made by Lindsay herself.

As TMZ first reported, Lindsay has been dying to do "SNL" as a way to re-establish her career and reached out to Lorne Michaels personally to make it happen.

According to our sources, Lindsay plans on using all the unpleasantness from the last few years as fodder for the show. We're told Lindsay has already told "SNL" that she is game for anything and nothing is off limits.

Our sources say Lindsay wants to show that she is "in on the joke" -- so expect to see references to any number of DUIs, alleged necklace thievery, jail stints, mug shots ... and on and on.

Lindsay Lohan was DYING to do "Saturday Night Live" again -- and kickstart her comeback -- so she reached out to Lorne Michaels herself to book the hosting gig ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Lindsay tell TMZ she has always felt the "SNL" executive producer has been very fatherly towards her throughout the years. We're told LiLo has always enjoyed doing the show, but was waiting for the right time to do it again.

So now that her community service is coming to an end, our sources say Lindsay called up Lorne and asked him to consider her for the show again. We're told they had multiple conversations and eventually settled on a date ... March 3.

Daniel Radcliffe is coming to the defense of the singer he introduced on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend ... sorta.

Radcliffe was at the Bafta nominations ... when he was asked about Lana Del Rey -- who's been TRASHED by music critics and people with ears alike who suffered through her baffling performance on the show (below).

Radcliffe responded, "It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly."

Radcliffe concluded, "I don't think it warranted anywhere near that reaction."

Alec Baldwin took even more unrelenting shots at American Airlines last night -- mocking his recent cell phone debacle on "Saturday Night Live" ... even referring to himself as an "American treasure."

Among the awesomeness ... Alec -- pretending to be the pilot of his ill-fated flight -- explained why he slammed the lavatory door so loudly during his alleged standoff with a flight attendant ... claiming, "Words with Friends" can be "frustrating."

"Saturday Night Live" legend Chevy Chase believes four SNL cast members truly stand out as the best ever -- and one might shock you ... because rumor has it ... Chevy despises the man.

Good news boys and girls ... Mr. Robinson might actually return to the neighborhood.**

Eddie Murphy just told Ellen Degeneres he's finally gotten over his beef with "Saturday Night Live" ... the show that helped launch him into superstardom 25 years ago.

During the interview, Ellen asked, "Is there something going on that you have not been back for a while on SNL? Will you go back and host?"

Eddie replied, "Not anymore. Now, I’m cool. I would go back if it was the right stuff, situation."

When Ellen asked why Eddie had issues with the show, he didn't come all the way clean ... but explained, "It was couple ... Over the years ... they did little s**tty stuff where I was like, hey, f*ck y’all. I’m not trippin. It was years ago. I don’t have any bad blood with that show. And that show is such a big part of my past. I love being part of it. Yeah, I wanna go back."

It's long been rumored that Eddie's problem with "SNL" started with a sketch on David Spade's Hollywood Minute segment ... when a picture of Eddie appeared on screen and David said, "Look children, a falling star ... quick, make a wish!"

**For those too young to get the reference, check out Eddie's old Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch (below) ... hilarious.