SNL

'SNL' is nothing if not predictable, and they were true to form Saturday night when they skewered 2 recently-unemployed brothers.

Dr. Anthony Fauci -- no, really it was Kate McKinnon -- was offering advice on how to navigate the holidays in the midst of another COVID surge. There was some pretty funny role-playing ... such as a worried passenger wonders out loud to a flight attendant about COVID and whether the mile-high club can get you pregnant.

But then the brothers Cuomo appear, and they introduce themselves this way ... "Hello, I am disgraced Governor Andrew Cuomo. I'm disgraced former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, and we both lost our jobs because of COVID."

Ted Cruz is hilarious, as he pretends to have the last laugh in his war with Senator Bob Dole, who died last week. Dole famously said no one liked Cruz ... well, watch the rest.

Pete Davidson and his pal Machine Gun Kelly are talking about the potential elephant in the room -- namely how they landed smoke show GFs -- and they're doing it in their undies.

The duo stripped down Monday night during a takeover of Calvin Klein's IG live -- Pete's got a deal with CK -- and the buddies, who are famously dating Kim Kardashian and Megan Fox, brought penis jokes aplenty.

While still fully clothed, PD joked he'd have been willing to kiss MGK on cam or even touch penises if CK upped the budget for their appearance -- and then they decided to flash their tightie whiteys.

After dropping trou, Pete checked out MGK's manhood and remarked, "Nice stuff, by the way, I get it now. Good for you. Good for you, dog." Kelly replied, "I would’ve put an extra 2 socks in there and blew the world’s mind."

Pete was more self-deprecating, saying ... "I’m not really a grower or a shower. It’s actually the same small and hard. It’s actually a scientific wonder."

Of course, the buddies are leaning into what everyone's been buzzing about -- how Pete, in particular, has hooked up with not only Kim, but Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, and Kaia Gerber.

Ariana's famously made very flattering comments re: Pete's manhood ... and last night, MGK said Pete's name is now synonymous with BDE. Pete sheepishly said, "That’s insanely embarrassing, but it’s true."

East Coast comedian and actor Tim Kazurinky was in his early 30s when his life changed forever after his work in Improv swung open the doors to a career as a writer and character on "Saturday Night Live" alongside comic greats like John Belushi, Joe Piscopo and even Eddie Murphy.

Shortly after his ride on the late-night sketch show ... Kazurinsky then landed the role as the nerdy up-and-coming copper Officer Carl Sweetchuck in the iconic funny franchise "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment," "Police Academy 3: Back in Training" and "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol."

Taylor Swift appeared on 'SNL' Saturday night, singing a 10-minute version of the song about her breakup with Jake Gyllenhaal ... and wow, the words and the emotions behind it are biting.

Swift performed "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)," a cut from her new, re-released version of 'Red.'

You've heard the song before, but watching Taylor perform it has gotta be pretty blistering for Gyllenhaal ... it's really raw.

Taylor also got in the act during a sketch with Pete Davidson ... a sketch called "Three Sad Virgins." It's a roast of 3 dudes on the show -- Martin, Ben and John ... skewering them for not having game.

The re-mastered version of 'Red' dropped Friday ... and tons of corporations got into the act by changing their Twitter names to support the album ... corporations that include Starbucks, Sour Patch Kids, Olive Garden, Etsy, Panera Bread, Chips Ahoy, Taco Bell and even the Kansas City Chiefs.

As you know, Taylor's re-recorded lots of her own songs from the elusive masters she doesn't own, and it's gone over big.

Conan O'Brien sounds proud of Pete Davidson and Colin Jost for what he says is a long-standing tradition ... "Saturday Night Live" cast members landing smoking hot women!!!

We got Conan, who was a writer on 'SNL' long before he hosted his own late-night show, leaving Sugarfish in Hollywood and our guy asked him what's up with 'SNL' being the ultimate aphrodisiac.

As you know ... Pete recently started dating Kim Kardashian, and Colin is married to Scarlett Johansson ... and don't forget 'SNL' alum Jason Sudeikis and his ex Olivia Wilde as another recent example.

Conan says this is just one of the many perks of a gig on 'SNL' ... harkening back to his days on the show when he dated more famous women than he can count, including Elizabeth Taylor! He's clearly joking, but still ... the track record speaks for itself.

Kanye West thinks "Saturday Night Live" forced Kim Kardashian to talk about her divorcing him on TV -- but he's sorely mistaken, 'cause she came to the show armed with the joke ... TMZ has learned.

Show sources with direct knowledge tell us ... Kanye's gripe from last week during his appearance on the "Drinks Champs" podcast is completely unfounded. We're told most of Kim's 'SNL' monologue was written ahead of time, and that included the line about their divorce.

ICYMI ... Ye complained the media was spinning a certain narrative about his relationship with Kim, something he apparently thinks still has a chance at being revived. He also called out 'SNL' specifically, saying they might've forced Kim to talk about their split.

That's simply not true, as we're being told the monologue was mostly unchanged from what Kim came in with ... and she only got a few suggestions from writers for the show.

In other words, the divorce crack was something Kim -- and her comedian pals -- wrote and wanted in the monologue. And, to further that point, our sources say Kim might acknowledge she's technically married to Ye -- but, frankly, they're not together anymore ... which is why Pete Davidson is happening.

There's also this ... Ye claimed there was no "paperwork" he'd seen to prove a divorce was even happening, but our sources say that's BS and he's fully apprised of what's happening here. As we've reported, the divorce is moving forward, full steam ... and he even signed off on Kim buying the former family home from him for $23 million.

Paris Hilton says Kim Kardashian is totally invited to her upcoming wedding ... but she's keeping it a mystery if Pete Davidson can roll with as a plus one.

We got Paris leaving Alice + Olivia in Beverly Hills on Friday and our photog asked if Kim got a wedding invite.

As you can see, Paris nods in agreement ... but when we press her about Kim being able to bring Pete as a plus one, Paris gives no indications either way.

Remember, Paris and Kim go way back, so ya gotta imagine Kim was one of the first ones to get an invite ... and the wedding is fast approaching -- it's next Thursday.

As you know, Kim has been hanging out a lot recently with Pete, and after a few dinner dates in New York and a roller coaster ride holding hands in SoCal, they are looking more and more like an item.

Paris might just be deliberating about inviting Pete ... like she is with a lot of other big wedding decisions.

She changed her venue for the umpteenth time recently ... the wedding to fiance Carter Reum is now going down at her late grandfather Barron’s Bel-Air estate and she has yet to pick out a wedding dress ... first reported by Page Six.

It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, Kim brings to Paris' wedding.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson's late-night date nights in NYC would've made for some legendary reality TV -- but fans expecting to see the new duo on Hulu are SOL -- because cameras just weren't rolling ... which makes a relationship seem all the more real.

Kim and Pete had the Internet buzzing this week after meeting up twice for dinner, one time with friends and once without. Reports popped up saying everything was being filmed for the Kardashian's upcoming project with Hulu, and only being done for publicity for the show.

We spoke with production sources who tell us Kim wasn't filmed or followed one time by Hulu cameras during her entire trip to NYC, much less during any encounters with Pete.

What's more amazing, we're told during Kim's first dinner date night with Pete, she snuck out of her hotel and made it to Staten Island sans a big security team -- and absolutely no cameras, not even paparazzi, got her during the escapade.

As for Kim and Pete ... our sources say the relationship isn't serious, but they're enjoying getting to know each other and having a fun mutual group of friends. And, who knows what else!

TMZ broke the story, the two had a private dinner at Campania -- one of Pete's favorite spots -- Tuesday night ... they got the secret treatment thanks to the spot's owner. Kim, Pete and friends then hit up Zero Bond Wednesday night before she returned to L.A. Thursday.

It was as inevitable as snow in winter ... "Saturday Night Live" did a sketch Saturday night on Netflix's hit show, "Squid Games."

Pete Davidson and guest host Rami Malek did the honors, with a country-type song about the phenomenon.

The song was a takeoff on Branchez & Big Wet's hit, "Turn Up On the Weekend," and it was pretty hilarious. It went like this ... the 2 guys were in a deep financial hole, so they signed up for the game.

They played the usual kids games, like Red Light Green Light, and the results were fatal for some.

One of the lyrics ... “There’s a robot girl who caught me running, better duck behind the nearest guy.” At one point Pete's face is splattered with blood as he keeps singing.

There's a really funny reference to the confusion over Korean cash and the prize money.

Davidson boasts in song how he killed all of his friends to make a killing in the game. Pete returns to the U.S. triumphant and flush with cash ... which he loses on a really bad bet.  Sorry NY Jets, but it was super funny!

Pete goes back to Korea for more, but this time things don't work out as well.

Rosario Dawson says "Saturday Night Live" needs to give BF Cory Booker his due the next time 'SNL' impersonates the Senator ... and she's got a few ideas for the stars to workshop.

We got the actress leaving ABC Studios in New York and asked what she thought of the show's impersonation of her boyfriend.

Rosario doesn't seem too impressed ... she says she's yet to see anyone nail Cory's true personality, and she explains why he's like the Fred Rogers or Ted Lasso of the Senate.

The 'SNL' skit mocking the recent Facebook hearing in Congress featured tons of politicians, but the Cory jokes were mostly centered on him dating Rosario.

Next time, Rosario says, the show should instead give her man props for everything he's doing for his State, from cannabis to police reform.

Kim Kardashian's in the middle of some O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown family drama ... and it's all because of what Nicole's sister views as a "distasteful" joke in Kim's 'SNL' monologue.

Tanya Brown, sister of Simpson's late ex-wife, tells TMZ ... Kim's O.J. cracks were in "poor taste" and Nicole's death should not be portrayed as a joke.

As you know, Kim hosted 'SNL' and her monologue featured a few O.J. jokes ... leading with a line about her father, Robert, one of O.J.'s defense attorneys, introducing her to her first Black person. She invited the audience to take a "stab in the dark" who that is -- referencing the gruesome manner in which Nicole and Ron Goldman were slain.

Tanya says the jokes were "beyond inappropriate and insensitive" and she's questioning just how much the Kardashian's actually cared about Nicole.

The fact is Kris Jenner was one of Nicole's close friends, but the way Tanya sees it ... Kim should have pushed back or refused to do the jokes, assuming 'SNL' writers came up with the bit.

Tanya herself has done that -- she says she once stormed out of a scheduled appearance on "The Meredith Vieira Show" when she was told, at the last moment, jurors from the murder trial would also be on the show.

She wishes Kim had a similar reaction to the 'SNL' lines.

Kim Kardashian has a message for Debra Messing ... you don't have to be an actor to kill it on "Saturday Night Live."

Kim came out of the gate with some shocking humor ... "I'm a Kim, not a Karen. Somehow [my mom] just knew. I don't know how she saw that coming, and not Caitlyn."

And then, there's this ... Kim said one thing she isn't is a gold-digger, "Honestly, I'm not even sure how you become one. So, I asked my mom's boyfriend, Corey."

And, she went on and on with jabs at her fam ... “[I'm] so much more than just a pretty face and good hair, and great makeup, and amazing boobs, and a perfect butt.  I’m so much more than that reference photo my sisters showed their plastic surgeon.”

Kanye wasn't spared, at first saying how grateful she was to be married to him and then slamming the brakes by saying she's divorcing him because of his personality!

There were sex tape jokes, O.J. Simpson jokes ... almost no one escaped her line of fire.

Of course, the writers killed it, but Kim was shockingly relaxed and ... well, really funny.

The skits were also mostly hilarious -- A "People's Kourt" where she settled lame family disputes.

Kris and Khloe made cameos and Halsey played a hilarious Kendall.

Lots of celebs also joined in -- Blake Griffin, John Cena, Chris Rock, Tyler C, Chase Crawford, Amy Schumer and Jesse Williams.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West put on a united front ahead of her "Saturday Night Live" appearance -- well, sorta ... dude still seems hesitant to acknowledge they're rekindling.

The recently estranged couple -- who are still technically in the middle of a divorce -- were seen leaving a hotel Saturday ... surrounded by a crush of paps, presumably on their way to NBC Studios to settle in ahead of KK's debut as host later this evening.

Kim was leading the charge with her head high ... and Kanye trailed behind, obscuring his face and keeping his head low -- even though everyone in town knows he's there. Seems the whole low-key vibe might be an act ... 'cause moments later, he took a selfie with a fan.

They hadn't been snapped together in NY prior to this -- but considering Ye was spotted out and about in the Big Apple over the past 24 hours ... it was no secret he'd likely be in attendance for Kim's big show. Now, it's all but certain he's in the audience, if not backstage.

We've seen them hanging out with one another quite a bit lately on the West Coast -- so it's obvious they're working out their issues and, seem to be on the road to reconciliation ... which may well lead to the divorce being called off.

While we haven't witnessed any full-blown PDA between them just yet -- the fact that they continue to step out publicly is a good sign for their relationship ... at least on its face.

Kim Kardashian's burning the midnight oil to get ready for her highly-anticipated hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live," showing that no matter what she says ... it ain't easy!!!

Production sources tell TMZ ... Kim's been putting in 20-hour days since she got into NYC Monday night. We're told call times for the 'SNL' talent have been 5 or 6 AM all week ... and some of the rehearsals have lasted until 3 AM. Sounds crazy, but we've independently confirmed it.

Our sources say Kim's been a trooper through it all too -- no complaints and no drama -- and has been laser-focused on the task at hand. We're told it's very clear ... she seriously wants to deliver as host.

As we told you ... one of Kim's promos for the Oct. 9 show has her joking the job is "so easy" because she's got the good looks for it, but the truth is she's also been getting guidance from some of the best in the biz.

We're told comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Michelle Wolf, Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Schumer and James Corden have all been giving Kim tips on what to include in her monologue, how to approach the skits and nail her delivery.

Kanye West will almost certainly be in the building when Kim Kardashian hosts 'SNL' and we're guessing we'll see his mug and maybe hear his voice during the show, but before the show, Ye had a chitchat over coffee with one Michael Cohen.

Kanye and Cohen were spotted at an Upper East Side coffee shop Friday, according to Page Six.

It's interesting for a couple reasons. First, Cohen -- who was famously Donald Trump's fixer -- has turned on Trump in a big way. Ye's feelings, on the other hand, are not as clear. As you know, Kanye loved sporting his MAGA hat and visited Trump in the Oval back in the day.

The other interesting thing ... Cohen is under house arrest after serving time for tax fraud and lying to Congress. He got in hot water a while back after dining at a fancy French restaurant without getting permission from the Bureau of Prisons, and it's unclear whether this meeting was approved or whether provisions have been made so Cohen can venture out.

As for Kim ... she's been pulling 20 hour days rehearsing for the big show. That sounds nuts, but it's true. She's been getting to the studio at around 5 AM and staying until 3 AM the next day.

As we reported, she's getting tips from huge names in comedy, including Chappelle, DeGeneres, Corden and Schumer (not Chuck).

Kim Kardashian is getting some good advice from some of the funniest people on Earth as she gets ready to host "Saturday Night Live."

Production sources tell TMZ … Dave Chappelle, Michelle Wolf, Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Schumer and James Corden have all been helping Kim with her preparation.

We're told the comedy legends have been giving Kim tips on what to include in her monologue, how to perform certain skits and nail comedic delivery.

As we reported, Saturday will mark the first time a Kardashian hosts 'SNL' ... and she's already landed some promo jokes.

Our sources say Kim has been having a blast getting ready for 'SNL' ... and some of the material will be self-deprecating. We're also told she's been very open to all ideas Lorne Michaels and the 'SNL' team have thrown her way. BTW ... good move on her part.

We're told producers and cast in rehearsals say Kim's actually been exceeding the expectations they had for someone without any experience in the comedy world.