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March 10, 2006
Interetsing Twist, Amidala
The digital revolution has already gotten too fast for NBC.
Early this week, NBC did a sweep of the web to remove the hysterically profane Natalie Portman rap, performed on Saturday night in an SNL Digital Short. This was well recorded in the media
But what exactly is going on? Unlike Lazy Sunday, which NBC swept for, the Portman Rap is not available on iTunes for the now requisite $1.99. It is still available for streaming on the NBC site.
One has to wonder whether Ms. Portman’s agent was smart enough to realize that giving NBC a chance to monetize her appearance on SNL with no return made no sense. If not, one has to wonder why not. SNL guest hosts are paid scale for their weeks work… nothing wrong with that. But if NBC could generate, say, 50,000 paid downloads of her rap, that’s $99,500 or more than 25 times what the guest host was paid.
Welcome to the harsh reality that is about to slow a revolution… and ultimately, make the studio look-a-new-profit-source drool drip a lot more slowly.
Posted by poland at March 10, 2006 12:01 AM
Comments
dont they have something in their contracts when they agree to host snl that says that nbc can do whatever they want with their appearance on the show? sell it, reruns, dvd, etc? she would have a pretty smart agent if he made a claim on digital revenue.
Posted by: bicycle bob ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 10, 2006 05:30 AM
NBC really knows how to kill a buzz on one of its properties. WHy would they need to threaten websites with lawsuits over showing their stuff? Don't they know the value of buzz? Considering SNL has had nothing even in the realm of buzz this century. They should jump at these sites promoting their network and shows.
Posted by: Rufus Masters at March 10, 2006 07:15 AM
Posted by: ZacharyTF at March 10, 2006 07:48 AM
That You Tube site is so funny.
Posted by: Josh at March 10, 2006 08:31 AM
This is a clean version that you can download...
http://www.moviecitygeek.com/Media/2006/portmanrap.m4v
Posted by: David Poland at March 10, 2006 10:27 AM
The actual Saturday Night Live episode was really good. Portman was really funny. I didn't know she could do that kind of comedy. I'm always impressed when an actor or anyone else does well on SNL. Shows range.
Posted by: BluStealer at March 10, 2006 10:44 AM
SNL should just be happy that any post-Ferrell skit is getting this kind of attention. And it's well deserved... the bouncing, scrappy Portman doesn't hit a false note the whole way through. Sarah Silverman watch your back bitch.
Posted by: Crow T Robot at March 10, 2006 11:10 AM
Yeah, Portman did really well on the show... she was in a lot of sketches and seemed really game. I don't know why, but it's often the twentysomething actresses who really get into it. Gwyneth Paltrow did quite well in her hosting gigs, as did Sarah Michelle Gellar... and Scarlett Johannson's ep from earlier this season was one of this season's best. Jennifer Garner even did a decent job a few years ago.
There are some dudes who always do well, like Jack Black... and I really liked the Jason Lee ep from earlier this season (up there with the SJ one). But they've done more comedy in their careers than the above-mentioned actresses.
Posted by: jesse at March 10, 2006 11:16 AM
Isn't it better for Portman to be publicized as a comedian than for her manager to try to squeeze a hundred thousand out of NBC? Or would that set a precedent somehow?
Posted by: jeffmcm at March 10, 2006 11:49 AM
To really succeed on SNL a star has to be willing to look like a complete fool and laugh at him or herself.
If you try to be too cool for school, it shows.
Look at the better people. Walken, Baldwin, Hanks. All willing to go for it.
Posted by: Charly Baltimore at March 10, 2006 12:45 PM
I may not like anything he says but Alec Baldwin is a great SNL host.
Steve Martin may be the best they have ever had host.
Posted by: joefitz84 at March 10, 2006 01:53 PM
Oh, look! I just realised the last reply was by Joefitz! Was this the last thing he every wrote?
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 at March 14, 2006 11:34 PM
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