SNL

The war vet Pete Davidson disrespected on 'SNL' concedes there may be a silver lining ... he's now a stand-out in Tuesday's midterm election.

Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw told us on "TMZ Live" ... this could turn into a Beyonce moment ... turning the 'SNL' lemons he's been given into sweet, sweet lemonade ... which could translate into a win for him when the polls close on Tuesday night.

As we reported ... Dan isn't demanding an apology after Pete said Dan looked like a "hitman from a porno" and brushed off his disability with a "whatever." Dan does admit, however, the cheap shot "tore at my core."

Pete Davidson is taking all the heat for his terrible "joke" about wounded veterans ... and somehow no one is blaming it on 'SNL.'

Kenan Thompson just weighed in ... saying Pete "definitely missed the mark," adding, "it's tough when you're fishing for jokes. ..." Kenan noted his dad was a Vietnam vet. There's no mention of 'SNL' shouldering any of the blame for allowing the joke on the air.

Davidson had cracked during weekend update ... GOP congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw -- who wears an eye patch after losing an eye in Afghanistan -- looked like a hitman from a porno, adding, "I know he lost his eye in war or whatever ... whatever."

'SNL' EP Lorne Michaels gives his crew lots of leeway when it comes to creative content, but ultimately the show and presumably Standards and Practices at NBC have the power to nix a "joke" that crosses the line.

Pete Davidson and 'SNL' don't owe GOP congressional candidate, Dan Crenshaw, a mea culpa for making a crack about his war-caused disability ... but SNL needs a lesson on humor.

We spoke with Dan -- who's running for an open seat in Texas' second congressional district -- and, somewhat surprisingly, he shoots down the idea that Pete and co. must issue an apology to him because they made an insensitive joke about his eyepatch.

If you missed it, Pete did a bit on 'Weekend Update' where he gave his first impressions on some of the candidates running for office in the midterms elections, most of whom were Republican. He joked Crenshaw looked like a hitman from a porno, and said of his injury ... "I know he lost his eye in war or whatever ... whatever." The remark caught tons of backlash.

One person who's not outraged is Dan, who tells us he wants society to get away from the culture of apology-demanding every time someone misspeaks.

Pete Davidson made a decision ... when Ariana Grande goes high, he'll go high.

Pete addressed his breakup on 'SNL' Saturday night, and had nothing but good things to say about his ex-fiancee. He called her "a wonderful, strong person" and wished her the best.

Truth be told ... there was a small dose of hypocrisy. Pete schooled everyone that the breakup was nobody's business, yet he himself addressed it earlier in the week on stage, cracking jokes about it. And he shot a promo for 'SNL' where he obliquely referred to it.

Pete did crack a joke about moving back in with mom.

TMZ broke the story ... Ariana planned a preemptive strike in case Pete threw shade on her ... releasing her new song -- and making specific reference to him -- just 30 minutes before 'SNL' went live on TV.

UPDATE 8:05 PM PT -- Check out the post and hear the new song.

Ariana Grande isn't going to let Pete Davidson define their relationship and breakup on "Saturday Night Live" tonight, because TMZ has learned she's releasing a song 30 minutes before 'SNL,' and his name is right there in the lyrics.

Record label sources tell TMZ, the overarching theme of the song -- titled "Thank u, next" -- is empowerment ... what she's been through in her relationships and other experiences. We're told it is not a diss track.

Our sources say she specifically names Pete, Mac and others ... but she doesn't go after Pete the way she did earlier this week after he publicly joked about their breakup. She had accused him of being a hypocrite ... pretending he wasn't into being in the spotlight yet hanging on for dear life.

We're told Ariana felt betrayed by Pete and doesn't want to take the chance that he'll talk about their breakup tonight on 'SNL' as she just sits by. As we reported ... Pete was planning on addressing it, but 86'd the idea after she made it clear they had an agreement to keep their relationship private. Nonetheless, anything could happen.

Among the lyrics, which she posted, "Got so much love ..... got so much patience ..... I've learnt from the pain ..... and turnt out amazin ..... say I've loved and I've lost ..... but that's not what I see cause look what I got ..... look what you taught me."

It goes on ... "Cause look what I found ..... ain't no need for searching and for that I say ..... thank u, next."

The song will be released at 11 PM ET.

Originally Posted 11/3/2018 6:00 PM PDT

Pete Davidson's got bright days ahead.

The 'SNL' star headed into the weekend with an updated shade of blue -- sky blue we're thinkin'. A colorist named Aura at Sally Hershberger Salon took due credit, saying, "Had the pleasure of doing this funny guy's hair."

Ariana's ex donned a similar shade during a promo for this weekend's 'SNL' ... asking musical guest Maggie Rogers if she wanted to get married. That backfired quickly.

Pete Davidson joked he was "0 for 3" in a new 'SNL' promo in which he proposed to a new chick -- and now we know who the third girl is ... Larry David's daughter.

Sources tell us that Pete had proposed to Cazzie David multiple times during their two-year relationship. The exact number of times isn't clear, but we're told it was definitely more than once. Our sources say Cazzie rejected his offer each time.

They split in May before Pete got with, and eventually proposed to, Ariana Grande. As you know, the rest is history.

As we reported ... Ariana took some shots at Pete in since-deleted tweets, saying, "for somebody who claims to hate relevancy u sure love clinging to it huh. thank u, next."

Sources close to the former couple tell us Ariana felt betrayed by Pete's remarks, because they'd both agreed to not talk about their split in public. We're told Pete's now scrapping any further references to their breakup for this weekend's show, and Lorne Michaels signed off.

There was speculation as to who Pete was referencing when he dropped the "0 for 3" line, because he's dated a handful of chicks over the years, including "Girl Code" star Carly Aquilino -- whom he dated before Cazzie.

But, we've been assured ... that third chick is absolutely Cazzie, who's since scrubbed her IG of any Pete references. Seems to be a pattern with his exes.

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.