SNL

8:45 AM PT -- Sources close to the couple tell us Pete won't reference the breakup when 'SNL' airs, and the reason is ... the exes have an agreement to stay silent.

We're told the split was mutual, and Ariana and Pete verbally agreed neither would talk about it publicly -- but she was already feeling betrayed because Pete joked about it during a standup routine last week at a charity event. We're told it got worse when Ariana saw the promo.

Our sources say Pete got word Ariana was upset, and decided he didn't want to go through with the skit he'd written for this week's 'SNL' -- they had an agreement, after all. He discussed it with executive producer, Lorne Michaels ... and he signed off on pumping the brakes.

As for the promo airing? We're told it was already in the works, and it was too late to pull it.

The breakup ain't funny to Ariana Grande anymore -- she came for Pete Davidson on social media Thursday night after he joked about their breakup ... and it's clear, this ain't no conscious uncoupling.

Davidson cracked a joke about the fact he's single during a promo for this weekend's 'SNL' -- asking musical guest Maggie Rogers if she wanted to get married.

Our sources connected to 'SNL' say Pete had been in good spirits while prepping for the show -- and was open to making jokes about jumping into relationships too soon.

So, that's what happened during the promo ... but Ariana Grande wasn't laughing -- she tweeted a shot at her ex.

"For somebody who claims to hate relevancy u sure love clinging to it huh. thank u. next."

She later deleted the tweet.

Pete previously joked about their engagement when 'SNL' came back from summer recess -- but that was when he and Grande were still together.

The jokes were self-deprecating about how Grande is the breadwinner in the relationship -- and he was just lucky to be there.

But, they broke up last month, and clearly they ain't on good terms.

No word if Davidson planned on addressing the split on this week's show -- but if he was, ya gotta believe he's rethinking the plan now.

Originally Published -- 1:00 AM PDT

Pete Davidson finally looks like he's feeling better after his split with Ariana Grande ... 'cause the comedian was grinning like a jack-o-lantern at a Halloween event with his buddy.

Pete walked through a holiday event for kids Sunday on his home turf of Staten Island, and judging by these pics ... the 'SNL' star was happier than a trick-or-treater with a pillowcase full of candy.

Pete was passing through the neighborhood shindig when he stopped to pet a furry pooch and snap a selfie with his fans. We're told he was super friendly to everyone and seemed to be in a very good mood.

It took a few weeks, but Pete is looking way happier than he was the last time we saw him. He really looked like a man down on his luck a few days after we broke the story he and Ariana called off their engagement.

Hey, there's nothing like a pumpkin patch and a cute pup to lift your spirits.

Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson both seemed to know marriage wasn't in the cards, even after they got engaged, because they never lifted a finger to seal the deal.

They got engaged in June, and our sources say an entire summer passed without locking down a venue, buying a wedding dress, or even picking a date. We are told Ariana talked about a wedding with her mom, but that's all it was ... talk.

The months of inaction predate the death of Ariana's ex, Mac Miller, last month. As we reported, Mac's death was the beginning of the end of Ariana and Pete's relationship, because she was emotionally paralyzed.

The only real signs of happily ever after were a $100,000 engagement ring -- which she's already given back -- and a pet pig which she's kept.

Pete Davidson looks like a man down on his luck since his split with Ariana Grande ... and you can't blame him.

Davidson arrived to his mom's house Wednesday with a hood over his head and phone in hand. It's the first time we've seen Pete since the breakup, and you can't do anything but feel sorry for the guy.

TMZ broke the story -- Ariana was seen for the first time Tuesday night since calling off their engagement -- she performed at a pre-taping for the NBC "Wicked" special. Davidson was set to headline a comedy gig at Temple University but has since pulled out.

Hard to tell from the pic ... but Pete's still got his Ariana tattoo on his hand.

Ariana Grande is making an attempt to cover up any and all signs of Pete Davidson ... even if it means hiding a tattoo dedicated to Pete with a Band-Aid.

Grande performed "The Wizard and I" Tuesday in NYC during a pre-taped segment for the upcoming NBC special dedicated to the Broadway musical, "Wicked." Ariana has a "pete" tattoo on her ring finger, and you can see in this side-by-side, she made sure to cover it up for any close-ups.

The special is set to air October 29, meaning the split will be more than two weeks old ... so hiding the tattoo now does make a lot of sense.

TMZ broke the story, the "Wicked" performance was Grande's first public appearance since the split ... Davidson was set to headline a comedy gig at Temple University Wednesday, but dropped out last minute.

In a post that's apparently since been deleted, Ariana said, "time to say bye bye again to the internew for jus a lil bit. it's hard not to bump news n stuff that i'm not tryna see rn. it's very sad and we're all tryin very hard to keep goin. love u. and thank u for bein here always."

Ariana's also parted with the $100k engagement ring from Davidson, but will keep the couple's teacup pig.

Ariana Grande put on a brave face and belted out a big tune in her first public appearance since ending things with Pete Davidson.

Grande performed "The Wizard and I" Tuesday in a pre-taped TV special for the Broadway musical "Wicked." Grande assured fans Monday she'd still be a part of the event, even after the split with Davidson, and she delivered on her promise.

TMZ broke the story ... Davidson was supposed to headline a comedy gig Wednesday at Temple University but dropped out last minute. He's being replaced by Adam DeVine.

Grande has already returned the $100k engagement ring from Pete, and she'll keep their pet teacup pig, Piggy Smallz.

Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson's relationship was crumbling for weeks ... and the couple's PDA at 'SNL' over the weekend was the pair holding on for dear life.

TMZ broke the story, Ariana was at 30 Rock Saturday night to support her then-fiance -- we're told the two shared plenty of hugs and kisses through the night -- and looked the opposite of a couple on the verge of a major split.

Sources close to the couple say there was no big fight or fallout between 'SNL' and when we broke the news of the split ... it was just time.

Our sources say the 'SNL' PDA was that of a couple holding on for dear life and desperately trying to make their relationship work. We're told they'd been trying to repair things for a while, but were essentially just going through the motions without real feelings anymore.

As we reported ... Pete and Ariana got engaged back in June after only dating for a short period of time.

Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson are dunzo as a couple, and their engagement has officially been called off ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the former couple tell us AG and PD split this weekend, with both parties acknowledging that it simply was not the right time for their relationship to take off. We're told the two still have love for each other, but things are over romantically.

Ariana and Pete announced their surprise engagement earlier this year in June -- just a few weeks after they were reported to be just casually dating. TMZ broke the story ... Grande's engagement ring cost right around $100k.

Grande's recently expressed she was going through a rough patch, tweeting a lot of personal messages and saying she needs a break from the public spotlight and asking "can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls."

As for Davidson, he's continued to appear on SNL, even mentioning his former fiancee in a couple sketches. The last time we saw them together was just last week.

Our source says while things may be done for the couple for now, the two aren't ruling out the possibility of anything in the future.

Donald Trump came to a startling revelation last night ... Kanye West is the black him!!!

Alec Baldwin made his return to 'SNL' to parody Ye's Oval chit chat. This one is especially interesting, because they danced around making fun of mental illness.

Also interesting ... most times 'SNL' takes a real event and makes it broader, but this one was pretty much true to form ... with all the hits, runs and errors from Thursday's pre-lunch meeting. The reporters in the crowd were definitely funnier than the real deal ... for sure.

Every so often a man finds himself at a crossroads, where the choice he makes will forever alter the course of his life. Or, in Matt Damon's case -- he has 2 awesome choices and really can't lose.

Here's the deal -- Damon's a huge UFC fan and, on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor will take on Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight championship at UFC 229. It's a highly-anticipated fight and will be a huge draw, and Matt's got a seat Octagon-side for the action.

But as we all know ... Damon also KILLED as Brett Kavanaugh on last weekend's "Saturday Night Live." Almost everyone wants and expects Matt to play the role again this weekend ... especially with the full Senate vote on Kavanaugh expected on Saturday.

Apologies to Lorne Michaels ... but sources close to Damon tell us he's decided to go to Vegas for the fight.

We're told the lure of McGregor's return to UFC outweighed a reprise as Kavanaugh.

1:22 PM PT -- Finally, some true clarity from Kanye. He just tweeted ... "not abolish but. let’s amend the 13th amendment We apply everyone’s opinions to our platform."

1:10 PM PT -- Kanye just tweeted out what appears to be a clarification about his 13th Amendment remark, saying "the 13th Amendment is slavery in disguise meaning it never ended We are the solution that heals."

It seems like he might be talking about a specific part of the 13 Amendment that refers to people who are convicted of a crime, who can then be forced to work. Section 1 reads ... "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

Unclear if this is exactly where Kanye's head is on the issue, since he didn't offer more context to his tweets. But, if we're giving him the benefit of the doubt ...

Kanye West made a shocking comment Sunday ... "Abolish the 13th Amendment" ... the Amendment that outlawed slavery.

Kanye has been tweeting about his support for Donald Trump ... this in the face of his 'SNL' appearance last night where he wore his MAGA hat on stage, and delivered a pro-Trump rant toward the end of the show.

Kanye tweeted ... "This represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America to create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment."

He added a footnote to that ... "Message sent with love."

It's hard to imagine what he means ... abolishing the 13th Amendment would at least, in theory, allow states to once again enslave human beings.

Matt Damon went off the rails Saturday night, perfectly capturing Brett Kavanaugh for the cold open of Saturday Night Live's Season 44 Premiere.

The show spoofed the Supreme Court nominee at Thursday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing ... and it was spot on. Damon guzzled water, contorted his face and had full-on agita.

Senators Chuck Grassley (Alex Moffat), Diane Feinstein (Cecily Strong), Amy Klobuchar (Rachel Dratch), Thom Tillis (Mikey Day), Cory Booker (Chris Redd), John Kennedy (Kyle Mooney), Sheldon Whitehouse (Pete Davidson) were all represented.

Kanye West has been hard at work finishing his album, doing a massive shoe release and practicing for his gig on 'SNL' ... a performance that'll feature some serious star power.

Sources on set tell us Ye's been in NYC all week putting the finishing touches on Saturday's show. We're told the mood at 'SNL' has been relaxed, collaborative and Ye's been treated like a part of the family.

Our sources say Kanye's working with Spike Jonze to put the finishing touches on the performance's creative direction. Kanye's also bringing some heavy-hitters out to join him on stage. We're told Lil Pump, Kid Cudi, Teyana Taylor and 070 Shake -- all of whom have songs with Ye -- are all set to hop onstage.

Adam Driver is tapped to host the show -- Ye posted a pic with him and Kenan Thompson Thursday during rehearsals while sporting a MAGA hat.

Kanye's also had a meeting with an 'SNL' show honcho, who we're told has put his faith in Kanye to deliver an unforgettable performance for the season premiere.

Peyton Manning says he really DIDN'T want to fire footballs at kids' faces during his famous 2007 "Saturday Night Live" skit -- but changed his mind when a parent begged him to peg his kid.

The sketch is pretty famous -- Peyton was spoofing his United Way ads by teaching kids how to get tattoos, steal cars and play real, hardcore park football.

But, a key part of the skit featured Peyton nailing kids in the face with footballs -- HARD -- and the QB says he was so nervous about tagging the youngsters, he almost quit the bit.

Peyton told the story at the 2018 Indianapolis Colts kickoff lunch on Wednesday -- saying he didn't feel comfortable with the scene at the time and told producers he wanted to shut it down.

But, right before they called it off, one of the parents of the child actors approached Peyton and the director and said, "I want him to hit my kid in the face!"

So, Peyton -- being a people pleaser -- said, "I will do it. I will knock your kid out."

And the rest is history ... hilarious, hilarious history.

Ben Affleck's latest sighting shows all the signs of a bachelor lifestyle, which has us wondering ... has he broken up with GF Lindsay Shookus?

Ben was spotted Thursday night leaving Nobu Malibu rocking a very casual single-guy look -- loose jeans, jacket, t-shirt with a cig in hand -- after having dinner with a very hot blonde who's not Lindsay.

The chick is Playboy's Miss May 2018, Shauna Sexton.

It's interesting -- Affleck celebrated his bday Wednesday with his kids, and had a dinner date with Shauna last night ... but no sign of any celebrating with Shookus.

Ben and Lindsay haven't been photographed together in nearly a month. And, what's also interesting ... there was a moving van in front of Ben's home on August 9. We don't know if someone was moving in or moving out of his $19 million Pacific Palisades mansion.

We reached out to the "Justice League" star to see if perhaps Batman went through a pre-birthday breakup ... so far, no word back.

Kenan Thompson's living his best life in 2018 -- he turned 40, earned his first-ever acting Emmy nomination and now he's become a father for the second time to a baby girl. Sweet trifecta!!

The 'SNL' star's wife, Christina Evangeline, gave birth to Gianna Michelle Tuesday night in Florida. Little Gianna weighed a healthy 6 pounds, 6 ounces. The couple already has another daughter, Georgia Marie, and the two are already inseparable and obsessed with each other.

Christina posted a video on social media announcing her pregnancy only days before she was ready to give birth. TMZ broke the story ... Christina gave birth to their first child back in 2014.

Congrats!!!