And you thought all he did was wear giant suits and rock Broadway!
David Byrne has conquered Broadway, and in his new promos for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live the Talking Heads legend has jokes too. In a series of spots promoting Saturday’s Leap Day (Feb. 29) episode, the American Utopia star plays the straight man to host comedian John Mulaney and SNL cast member Heidi Gardner.
“We’re excited to do the show, but we’re even more excited for Heidi’s first promo!,” Byrne says as he and Mulaney fete the SNL star known for characters such as teen film critic Bailey Gismert and boxing girlfriend Angel, as well as spot-on impressions of Dana Bash, Drew Barrymore and Allison Janney. Spoiler alert: she get a first-promo sash and tiara.
In other spots, Gardner freaks out that Bryne is standing next to them and both need to be reminded by Mulaney that there’s actually a show this week and they’re not just hanging out for fun, “like friends do,” with lights and cameras and producers.
After wrapping a successful 20-week extended Broadway run, Byrne’s Utopia is booked for a return engagement for the one-of-a-kind theatrical concert that combines songs from his Talking Heads heyday with selections from his eclectic solo output at New York’s Hudson Theatre in September. The critically acclaimed show will play a 17-week return engagement, beginning performances Sept. 18 and scheduled through Jan. 17, 2021, with an official reopening date to be set.
A filmed version the musical, directed by Spike Lee, has been shot, with a release date to be announced for later this year.
Check out all the promos below.