Young Manning to prove himself on SNL
Eli Manning sensed his brother’s shadow even as a comedic actor.
“Saturday Night Live” producers invited the New York Giants quarterback to host after he won his first Super Bowl in 2008. One of the many reasons he declined was that Peyton Manning had hosted the show a year earlier after his own championship.
“I had not proven myself as much as I wanted to,” he said of that initial offer four years ago.
Manning recalled he sent word back that perhaps he’d host if he won another title. Sure enough, he said yes after his second ring and will star in the late-night sketches this Saturday.
Rihanna is the musical guest, and SNL chief Lorne Michaels said he’d like to include her in a skit. Asked which Manning brother is funnier, the SNL creator replied, “We won’t really know that till Saturday.”
“You sort of believe he doesn’t take himself that seriously,” he said. “I think he takes his work very seriously. But there’s a sort of central modesty to him. That plays well with what we do. If the host is spending a lot of time protecting an image, it’s exhausting – particularly for us.”
With impeccable comedic timing, Manning interjected, “I’m blushing, Lorne.”
Blaze hits back lot at Perry studios
The cause of a fire that ripped through a simulated streetscape at the studios of Atlanta filmmaker Tyler Perry may never be known, Atlanta fire officials said Wednesday.
The Tuesday evening blaze at Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta will be recorded as undetermined, Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran said in an emailed statement.
“The intensity of the fire in the area of origin consumed any evidence that would lead to a cause of ignition,” Cochran said.
There were no reports of injuries from the blaze that began shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and burned through the exterior facade of a large building, Atlanta fire spokesman Capt. Jolyon Bundrige said.
“We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that 99 percent of the damage is limited to the backlot facade,” a Perry studio statement said.
The fire never reached inside the building because of its concrete masonry construction behind the façade. However, there was some water damage inside, Bundridge said Wednesday morning.
The studio complex includes a 200,000-square-foot studio, five sound stages and a 400-seat theater, according to its website.
The birthday bunch
Folk singer Pete Seeger is 93. Actress Ann B. Davis is 86. Actor Alex Cord is 79. Singer Frankie Valli is 78. Sports announcer Greg Gumbel is 66. Pop singer Mary Hopkin is 62.