Marcello Hernandez Upped to Main Cast for Season 50 of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live”

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Marcello Hernandez is getting a promotion…

The 27-year-old Cuban & Dominican American stand-up comedian, writer and actor has been promoted to the main cast of NBC’s Saturday Night Live for its milestone 50th season that will be marked by celebrations, reunions and high profile guests.

In 2022, Hernandez joined the cast of CNL, becoming the show’s first cast member from Generation Z.

Meanwhile, up-and-coming comedy performer Ashley Padilla is among the new cast additions on NBC’s venerable late-night sketch program

Padilla will be a featured playerson the show next season

The majority of SNL performers, including all longtime veterans, will be back for Season 50, which premieres September 28, with alumna Maya Rudolph returning to reprise her Kamala Harris impersonation through the Presidential election. Those departing the show this season include Chloe Troast, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney.

Created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, the #1 entertainment series across broadcast and cable for the 2023-24 season in 18-49, is produced in association with Broadway Video.

The show’s 50th season celebrations are set to culminate with a live primetime special February 16.

Padilla comes from The Groundlings where has been a member of the Main Company since 2021. She recently guest starred on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and NBC’s Night Court.

Selena Gomez Earns Two Primetime Emmy Nominations for “Only Murders in the Building”

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is celebrating a historic primtetime showing…

The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards nominations have been revealed, with the 31-year-old Mexican American actress, singer, producer and businesswoman earning a nod for serving as an executive producer on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Gomez’s acclaimed series, in which she stars, is nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series.

It’s her second nomination in the category for Only Murders in the Building, making her the most Emmy-nominated Latina producer nominated in the category.

But that’s not all…

Gomez earned her first-ever Primetime Emmy nomination in the Best Actress in a Comedy Series category for her portrayal of Mabel on Only Murders in the Building.

Created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin, Only Murders In The Building follows Charles (Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) & Mabel (Gomez), three strangers who share an obsession with true crime. Each season, the trio is tasked with unraveling the mysteries behind a new murder.

Sofia Vergara has picked up her first acting nod in a drama category.

The 52-year-old Colombian actress, who previously earned four Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Modern Family, is up for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for leading the cast of Netflix’s Griselda.

The recognition makes Colombia-born Vergara the first Latina born in a Latin country, nominated in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series category. Latin American Anya Taylor-Joy—who won in the category for The Queen’s Gambit—was born in Miami to an Argentine father.

Fred Armisen has picked up his 15th Emmy nomination.

The 57-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor, former Saturday Night Live star and musician earned a nod in the Outstanding Music Direction category for serving as the music director of Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Liza Colón-Zayas has earned her first-ever Emmy nod.

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actress is nominated in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category for her performance in The Bear.

Nestor Carbonell is also a first-time nominee…

The 56-year-old Cuban American actor is nominated in the Guest Actor in a Drama Series category for his performance in Shōgun.

Carlos Rafael Rivera has earned two nominations this year.

The 53-year-old Guatemalan Grammy composer, who has won two Emmys and a Grammy, is nominated in the Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music and Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) categories for his work on Lessons in Chemistry.

The forthcoming show will arrive just months after the delayed 2023 Emmy Awards were broadcast in early January due to last year’s actors’ and writers’ strikes.

Shows eligible for the Primetime Emmys must have been broadcast in the US between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024, with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences choosing the nominees.

Winners will be revealed at the live ceremony on Sunday, September 15.

Here’s a list of this year’s Primetime Emmy nominees:

Drama

Best Drama Series
Shōgun
The Crown
Fallout
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show
Mr & Mrs Smith
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem

Actor in a Drama Series
Idris Elba – Hijack
Donald Glover – Mr & Mrs Smith
Walton Goggins – Fallout
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun
Dominic West – The Crown

Actress in a Drama Series
Imelda Staunton – The Crown
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show
Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age
Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show
Emma Sawai – Shōgun
Maya Erskine – Mr & Mrs Smith

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tadanobu Asano – Shōgun
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Mark Duplass – The Morning Show
John Hamm – The Morning Show
Takehiro Hira – Shōgun
Jack Lowden – Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce – The Crown

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski – The Gilded Age
Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show
Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown
Greta Lee – The Morning Show
Lesley Manville – The Crown
Karen Pittman – The Morning Show
Holland Taylor – The Morning Show

Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Néstor Carbonell – Shōgun
Paul Dano – Mr & Mrs Smith
Tracy Letts – Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty
Jonathan Pryce – Slow Horses
John Turturro – Mr & Mrs Smith

Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Michaela Coel – Mr & Mrs Smith
Claire Foy – The Crown
Marcia Gay Harden – The Morning Show
Sarah Paulson – Mr & Mrs Smith
Parker Posey – Mr & Mrs Smith

Comedy

Best Comedy Series
The Bear
Hacks
Abbott Elementary
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows

Actor in a Comedy Series
Matt Barry – What We Do In The Shadows
Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs

Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Jean Smart – Hacks
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Lionel Boyce –The Bear
Paul W Downs – Hacks
Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear
Paul Rudd – Only Murders in the Building
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary
Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary
Carol Burnett – Palm Royale
Liza Colón-Zayas – The Bear
Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
Meryl Streep – Only Murders in the Building

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Jon Bernthal – The Bear
Matthew Broderick – Only Murders in the Building
Ryan Gosling – Saturday Night Live
Christopher Lloyd – Hacks
Bob Odenkirk – The Bear
Will Poulter – The Bear

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Olivia Colman – The Bear
Jamie Lee Curtis – The Bear
Kaitlin Olson – Hacks
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph – Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig – Saturday Night Live

Limited Series

Best Limited Series
Baby Reindeer
Fargo
Lessons in Chemistry
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country

Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Richard Gadd – Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers
John Hamm – Fargo
Tom Hollander – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Andrew Scott – Ripley

Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Jodie Foster – True Detective: Night Country
Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple – Fargo
Sofía Vergara – Griselda
Naomi Watts – Feud: Capote vs The Swans

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Jonathan Bailey – Fellow Travelers
Robert Downey Jr – The Sympathizer
Tom Goodman-Hill – Baby Reindeer
John Hawkes – True Detective: Night Country
Lamorne Morris – Fargo
Lewis Pullman – Lessons in Chemistry
Treat Williams – Feud: Capote vs The Swans

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Lily Gladstone – Under the Bridge
Dakota Fanning – Ripley
Jessica Gunning – Baby Reindeer
Aja Naomi King – Lessons in Chemistry
Diane Lane – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Nava Mau – Baby Reindeer
Kali Reis – True Detective: Night Country

Reality/Variety

Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Traitors
The Voice

Talk Series
The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night with Seth Meyers
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Writing for a Variety Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Saturday Night Live
The Daily Show

Directing for a Drama Series
Hiro Murai – Mr & Mrs Smith
Frederick E O Toye – Shōgun
Saul Metzstein – Slow Horses
Stephen Daldry – The Crown
Mimi Leder – The Morning Show
Salli Richardson-Whitfield – Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty

Writing for a Drama Series
Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner – Fallout, “The End”
Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover – Mr & Mrs Smith, “First Date”
Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks – Shōgun, “Anjin”
Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente – Shōgun, “Crimson Sky”
Will Smith – Slow Horses, “Negotiating With Tigers”
Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare – The Crown, “Ritz”

Directing for a Comedy Series
Randall Einhorn – Abbott Elementary
Lucia Aniello – Hacks
Christopher Storer – The Bear
Ramy Youssef – The Bear
Guy Ritchie – The Gentleman
Mary Lou Belli – The Ms Pat Show

Writing for a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary, “Career Day”
Meredith Scardino, Sam Means – Girls5eva, “Orlando”
Christopher Storer, Joanna Calo – The Bear, “Fishes”
Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs, Jen Statsky – Hacks, “Bulletproof”
Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider – The Other Two, “Brooke Hosts A Night Of Undeniable Good”

Jake Bender, Zach Dunn – What We Do In The Shadows, “Pride Parade”

Variety Special (live)
66th Grammy Awards
76th Annual Tony Awards
The Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Starring Usher
The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady
The Oscars

Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Billy Joel: The 100th – Live At Madison Square Garden
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer
Dick Van Dyke 98 Years Of Magic
Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die
Trevor Noah: Where Was I

Outstanding Music Direction

The 46th Kennedy Center Honors • CBS • Done + Dusted in association with ROK Productions; Rickey Minor, Music Director

Late Night With Seth Meyers • Episode 1488 • NBC • Universal Television and Broadway Video; Fred Armisen, Eli Janney, Music Directors

The Oscars • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Rickey Minor, Music Director

2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony • ABC • Tenth Planet Productions; Adam Blackstone, Don Was, Omar Edwards, Music Directors

Saturday Night Live • Host: Ryan Gosling • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video; Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli Brueggemann, Music Directors

Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (original dramatic score)

All The Light We Cannot See • “Episode 4” • Netflix • 21 Laps Entertainment for Netflix; James Newton Howard, Composer

Fargo • “Blanket” • FX • FX Presents an MGM/FXP Production; Jeff Russo, Composer

Lawmen: Bass Reeves • “Part I” • Paramount+ • MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, Bosque Ranch Productions and Yoruba Saxon; Chanda Dancy, Composer

Lessons in Chemistry • “Book of Calvin” • Apple TV+ • Apple Studios; Carlos Rafael Rivera, Composer

The Tattooist of Auschwitz • “Episode 1” • Peacock • Synchronicity Films, Peacock, SKY Studios; Kara Talve, Hans Zimmer, Composers

Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

Feud: Capote vs. the Swans • FX • FX Productions, 20th Television; Thomas Newman, Composer

Lessons in Chemistry • Apple TV+ • Apple Studios; Carlos Rafael Rivera, Composer

Masters of the Air • Apple TV+ • Apple Studios with Amblin Television / Playtone; Blake Neely, Composer

Palm Royale • Apple TV+ • Apple Studios; Jeff Toyne, Composer

Shōgun • FX • FX Productions; Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick Chuba, Composers

Marcello Hernández to Compete in 2024 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Marcello Hernández is ready to play ball…

Major League Baseball (MLB) officials have revealed the names of some of the celebrities who’ll be taking part in the 2024 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, including the 26-year-old Cuban American stand-up comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live cast member.

The game, which is set to take place on July 13th, is part of the All-Star Saturday festivities taking place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Hernández will be joined by 30-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers. Both recently celebrated Latino culture in baseball in a campaign with Remezcla Creative Agency titled “El Béisbol es Otra Cosa.” The campain highlighted the great Latino starss in themajor leagues, as well as the many ways Latino communities relate to them.

Other celebrities who are set to participate in the game include actress Gina Rodriguez, singers Eladio Carrion, Payo Solis & Julian Peña, Jr of Grupo Frontera, TV & radio personality Bobby Bones, reality TV personalities West Wilson and Matt James, country music star Kane Brown and influences Dani Austin and Nicky Cass.

Also participating will be former pitcher Pedro Martínez, and former NFL wider receiver Terrell Owens, as well as former NBA point guard Tyrese Maxey and softball legends Jennie Finch, Natasha Watley, and Lauren Gipson (Chamberlain).

Tickets for the All-Star Saturday festivities are now available at allstargame.com, starting from $35 and include all three events on Saturday, including the 2024 All-Star Futures Game, featuring the top Minor League prospects and the MLB Futures Skills Showcase as well as the 2024 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.

Marcello Hernandez Signs with LBI Entertainment

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Marcello Hernandez has new representation…

The 26-year-old Cuban & Dominican American stand-up comedian, writer and actor has signed with LBI Entertainment.

Hernanadez currently performs as a featured player on Saturday Night Live.

On SNL, he has been featured on Weekend Update and appeared in some of the more memorable recent sketches with Pedro Pascal, Bad Bunny, Ana de Armas and Jason Momoa, among others.

Performing stand-up since the age of 18, Hernandez has opened for headliners such as Jo Koy, Dave Chappelle, Tim Dillon, Mark Viera and Gilbert Gottfried.

In 2020, he became a host and creative director for @onlyindade, a Miami-based account with over one million followers.

In 2022 he was selected as a Just For Laughs New Face of Comedy.

Starting in 2023 he can be seen in commercial campaigns for T-Mobile and Nissan.

Marcello Hernandez Stars in Nissan’s Upcoming Super Bowl Commercial

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a family affair for Marcello Hernandez… with a Regional Mexican twist.

The 26-year-old Cuban and Dominican American stand-up comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live cast member stars in Nissan’s upcoming Super Bowl commercial, appearing alongside the members of Grupo Frontera

The 60-second commercial released on Monday (February 5) features Hernandez retelling the riveting story about his unexpected, yet adventurous journey while test-driving the latest Nissan Pathfinder. Just as he hits the road, Hernandez gets calls from his abuela, sister and uncle asking him — and the Nissan salesperson as his co-pilot — to pick them up. So, they do.

“From the dealership to the mountains, desert and beach, Hernandez and the salesperson make their way through this epic adventure, the Pathfinder navigates various terrains while thrilling everyone across all generations of the family,” an official description of the ad reads.

As he’s telling this nail-biting story in a diner, Grupo Frontera pops up from a booth behind him and asks Hernandez to keep narrating his epic adventure. “Qué? No, sigue, sigue,” the group orders.

The ad will air on TelevisaUnivision on Sunday, February 11, as part of the network’s Super Bowl 2024 broadcast for Spanish-language viewers.

Univision will also broadcast a pre-kickoff performance — featuring a special performance by Puerto Rican star Myke Towers — presented by Nissan, which will air on Univision at 4:00 pm ET Sunday from the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

“At Nissan, we’re always looking for ways to deeply connect with our customers,” said Marisstella Marinkovic, chief marketing officer, Nissan USA, in a statement. “We’re using the nation’s biggest game day to air an in-language spot that reignites the love of Nissan among bicultural Latinos, who comprise many of our customers. From our partnership with TelevisaUnivision, to the Latino talent and the director we casted, we brought music and sports together to create a thrilling in-language and in-culture experience.”

“This is a significant moment for TelevisaUnivision, and we’re excited for Nissan to debut their Spanish-language creative to our audience,” added John Kozack, executive vice president of multimedia sales at TelevisaUnivision. “Latinos are an economic powerhouse, and this national stage provides the perfect opportunity for brands like Nissan to reach this fast-growing demographic – and further our goal of showcasing the value and importance of in-language and in-culture advertising to this consumer base.”

Jacob Elordi Tries Conquering His Fears in “Saturday Night Live” Promo Ahead of Hosting Debut

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jacob Elordi is preparing for a special late-night debut…

The 26-year-old half-Spanish Australian actor and Saltburn star will host Saturday Night Live for the first time ever this weekend, and in the first promo teasing his debut, Elordi is seen struggling even before he gets to his opening monologue.

As Elordi walks through the famous wood and glass doors at Studio 8H he stops, anxiously looking at the steps that lead to the main stage.

“They all make it look so easy,” he says to himself as a montage of previous hosts walking down the stairs plays.

Cast members Marcello Hernandez and Punkie Johnson appear to offer encouragement.

Elordi tries walking down the stairs in a crouch, sliding and bumping down the steps on his butt before finally launching himself over the edge for a fully upright descent.

SNL airs this Saturday, January 20 at 11:30 pm ET/8:30 pm PT on NBC and streams live on Peacock with Elordi as host and musical guest Reneé Rapp.

Colman Domingo to Serve as Presenter at Primetime Emmy Awards

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is headed to the Emmys…

The 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor, who won an Emmy for his guest performance on HBO’s Euphoria, will serve as a presenter at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, January 15.

Domingo joins a roster of presenters that includes Peter Dinklage, Tom Hiddleston, Ke Huy and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Charlie Puth and acclaimed duo The War and Treaty will perform over the In Memoriam spot, while Travis Barker will team with show host Anthony Anderson for what the show promises will be “a show-stopping open.”

The show will also include cast reunions and tributes to hit TV series spanning more than seven decades, including The Sopranos, Martin, Cheers, Grey’s Anatomy, All in the Family, Ally McBeal and I Love Lucy as well as Saturday Night Live’s signature Weekend Update segment, which will be helmed by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

The 75th Emmy Awards, executive-produced by Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, January 15 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/5:00-8:00 p.m. PT) on FOX and will also be available the next day on Hulu.

Bad Bunny Trash-Talks Himself in New Promo for NBC’s Upcoming Episode of “Saturday Night Live”

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny’s seeing double…

In the latest Saturday Night Live promo, the 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar, this week’s host, squares off against this week’s musical guest, who so happens to be Bad Bunny.

Riffing on the singer-actor’s professed love for professional wrestling, the promo features cast member James Austin Johnson as a WWE-style announcer interviewing a rather soft-spoken “Benito” – Bad Bunny’s birth name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – who says he’s not nervous about the hosting gig. “Hell, no. I love being silly,” says Benito.

At that point, a tougher-looking opponent enters the “ring” to smoke and a heavy metal accompaniment. “Oh my God!,” says Johnson. “It’s Bad Bunny!”

“Well, I’ve got a Weekend Update for you, amigo,” says the sunglass-wearing Bunny to Benito. “You suck.”

Bad Bunny, who was an SNL musical guest on February 20, 2021, has made regular appearances on WWE’s weekly television show Monday Night Raw.

The singer-rapper released his fifth solo album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, on October 13. He also appears in the 2023 biopic Cassandro starring Gael García Bernal as gay wrestler Saúl Armendáriz aka Cassandro.

Bad Bunny to Serve as Host & Musical Guest on Upcoming “Saturday Night Live” Episode

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is preparing to pull double duty…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar will return to Saturday Night Live on October 21.

But this time, Bad Bunny will serve as host and musical guest.

The “Me Porto Bonito” rapper previously performed in 2021, but this will mark his first time on hosting duties.

Bad Bunny joins a list of Latinx artists to pull double duty on SNL that includes Jennifer Lopez (February 10, 2001, February 27, 2010) and Bruno Mars (October 20, 2012).

But Bad Bunny isn’t the only Latinx artist scheduled to appear on NBC’s long-running late night sketch comedy show this season.

On the October 14 episode, which will be hosted by Pete Davidson, Ice Spice will make her debut appearance on the Lorne Michaels-created show as the musical guest.

Julio Torres Signs Deal with Ars Nova to Identify, Develop & Commission Projects from Rising Comedy Artists

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Torres is hoping to cultivate new comedic talents…

The 36-year-old Salvadoran writer, comedian and actor has agreed to a deal with Ars Nova, the Off-Broadway, non-profit theater in New York City, that will see them partner to identify, develop, and commission full-length projects from early-career comedy artists.

The collaboration further expands Ars Nova’s two-decade commitment to new comedy at a time when support systems for NYC-based artists have decreased.

Under the partnership, Torres and Ars Nova will look to provide comedians with opportunities for development and production outside of the traditional model of sketch shows and 10-minute sets. They’ll offer funding up front to create brand new, uniquely theatrical shows, while providing mentorship and development resources to the artists involved, the first set for a commission being Ars Nova Vision Residency Alum River L. Ramirez. Others will be announced at a later date.

To celebrate the alliance, the Problemista star will return to the Ars Nova stage on October 26 to host Showgasm. — the theater’s variety-show-meets-party that serves up comedy, burlesque, and more. In addition to the newly commissioned Ramirez, Showgasm. will feature performances by Spike Einbinder, Macy Rodman, and Max Wittert, among others. Tickets are Name Your Price starting at $5 with every dollar going directly to the artists involved.

“This is such a dream—I get to guide Ars Nova into commissioning shows from my brilliant friends, starting with the unique and powerful River L. Ramirez, who has been an inspiration of mine since I met them years ago doing open mics,” said Torres in a statement to Deadline. “Many years ago, John Early introduced me to Ars Nova where I had my first solo show. I’m proud that now I get to put the spotlight on others and give them the resources they need to translate their talent and experience into formal commissions by a welcoming theater.”

Added Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan, “Julio is a singular talent whose groundbreaking work in comedy and television continues to redefine our culture. We’re ecstatic to have him actively in our community again and inspired by his desire to help the next wave of comedy talent break barriers, by getting their work made and seen. Placing this partnership alongside our ongoing comedy residency program CAMP, led by Matt Gehring and Mahayla Laurence, further cements Ars Nova’s commitment to its comedy, music, theater, and everything-in-between, mission.”

A Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, filmmaker and actor, Torres is best known for his Emmy-nominated and WGA-winning writing on Saturday Night Live, the Peabody and GLAAD Award-winning HBO series Los Espookys, which he co-created with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, and his forthcoming directorial debut Problemista, a comedy he wrote and stars in alongside Tilda Swinton, which premiered at SXSW and will premiere theatrically in 2024, having been one of the many titles pushed out of 2023 amidst the strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.

First performing on the Ars Nova stage in 2014, Torres has also been seen on shows like High Maintenance, Search Party and Shrill, the Ed Helms–Patti Harrison indie Together Together, and on assorted late-night shows, where he’s performed stand-up. His next television series, Fantasmas, will premiere on HBO next year.

Torres previously wrote, produced and directed the comedy special program Pervert Everything for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. They teach performance and public speaking at The Brick Aux in BK, perform experimental comedy at Littlefield in BK, and have been commissioned for original musical and dance-based performances by Baryshnikov Arts Center, Gibney, Ars Nova Vision Residency program, and Moma PS1. Named one of Comedy Central’s Up Next Comedians for 2018, Ramirez has additionally written for High Maintenance and The National Lampoon Radio Hour.

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