A night, among many, to remember

On January 13 this year Jake Gyllenhaal stamped his mark on the archives of Saturday Night Live by recording an opening number that will forever feature on Best of SNL specials and DVDs. I was nervous, I'll admit it, but no need, Jake was sensational and incredible, a huge talent, and his appearance on SNL ranks as the personal moment of the year for several friends here. However, let's be honest, quite a few people had multiple most favourite moments (myself included). One thing though, I find it almost impossible to believe that SNL was almost a year ago. I didn't realise before, but it seems Jake had been scheduled to host SNL before - on 8 May 2004 to be exact. But Jake backed out at the last minute and Snoop Dogg took his place. Whatever the reason, this sounds like destiny because when Jake did appear, making reference to his 'unique fan base' and giving them what he thought they might want, he stole the show left, right and centre.


SNL was a favourite moment for Pia, so I'll shut up and let Pia describe why she chose it: 'Being cant-take-my-eyes-off-him in love with this man for almost a year and naturally interested in his brilliant career, and despite his sis Maggie commenting that he will knock 'em dead, I cannot help but wonder however he's gonna follow Justin Timberlake"s "Dick In A Box". I have no TV so had to sweat it out. a phone call from my friend in Long Island, gay male, in a shocked voice: "OMG he was in drag!" WHUT? ":He was wearing an effing dress!" WHUT? When I saw the program, thank you IHEARTJAKE girls, I was blown away. "You did it, man!" I was so proud of him, and his timing, confidence, joyful presence; sis Maggie knows her lil bro!... I think one of the most amazing things about Jake is that he lets us love him!'


Paulh says: 'For me, the one that blows everything away is the moment when Jake, introducing "Saturday Night Live," quickly removes his suit and tie, revealing a sequined dress. He throws on a wig, and sings, in falsetto, a song from "Dreamgirls." The only other one that comes close is a moment at Cannes, when Jake is on the platform, and he hears his fans chanting "Jake! Jake!" He puts his hand to his ear to show that he hears, and then he points to them with a radiant smile on his face.' Neely loved SNL too - 'This was something special, a side of Jake that we don't often see in his films.' It's also on Christie's list: 'Saturday Night Live - just because it was so daring and so much fun! And it showed how well Jake could sing.' Sounds like good reasons to me.


Another fan was David Fincher. In his interview with Jake for October's Interview, David said: 'By the way, I finally saw your SNL which I thought was awesome- balls-out one of the funniest moments I've seen on that show in a long time. Jake: Thanks. I figured, if you're going to do it, then really do it. David: Well, you did it, and now no one ever has to do it again. (Both laugh) Somebody sent it to me on DVD because I missed it and everyone was talking about it. ..Jake:...They played the song, we practised it a couple times, and Lorne came up to me and said "You should do this in drag. What do you think?" And I was like 'Fantastic!" And that was it.'


In the New York Post, SNL's Musical Director Katreese Barnes revealed that Jake's appearance on SNL is one of the very reasons why she has a dream job. 'Saturday night, when the sketches come together, can be really magical. Like when Jake Gyllenhaal performed his version of the “Dreamgirls” song - that was a really rewarding moment for me. It was a Thursday night when he had the idea to sing the song, and they called me down to rehearse with him. On Friday, we brought in some backup singers, and he started gaining more confidence, and then by Saturday night he blew me away.'


Ooh where did that photo come from... (my favourite sketch from the night - after the opener). Renowned journalist Diane Sawyer, who went a little giddy when she interviewed Jake as part of the Zodiac promotion in the Spring, said that Jake's SNL performance had had quite an effect on her - in fact, it made her fall out of bed.



Top ten terror list

411movies has voted Zodiac as no 2 in its Top Ten Terrors of 2007 (behind Grindhouse). 'The inclusion of this entry was a little obvious. While not horror in the strictest sense, Zodiac is one of the best movies of the year in it's own right. It features a story that is a great one about a killer that was never caught. It shows the killer do his thing and it shows the ongoing investigation to find out who is doing this. The tagline is very fitting, "There's more than one way to lose your life to a killer" because that is what happens here. Everyone involved in the investigation is affected in some way, some more than others. Without credible actors there is no way this could have worked. It's a good thing David Fincher knows what he's doing, because we get very credible actors. Jake Gyllenhaal comes through and Robert Downey Jr provides his usual great performance. Everyone involved with this movie does a tremendous job and it provides one of the best experiences of this year. While the length does work against it, the pacing and story draw you in and tries it's hardest to keep you from getting bored. You may check your watch, but you'll never stop being entertained by the show. Zodiac isn't just good horror, it's good cinema.'


Pictures of Jake

Some more outtakes from the Esquire photoshoot have emerged, including one that, although Jake has again been airbrushed to witin an inch of his life, is so beautiful.






On 8 December, Jake was photographed while out on Pier 39 with Reese and her family. As someone who loves San Francisco, I have to say that I had a superb cocktail or three on Pier 39 while watching the sealions. For a better look, enjoy the live webcam - one of my favourite webcams on the entire net.


Reasons to be grateful

A paparazzi video of Tobey Maguire emerged from the other night when he was out in Los Angeles having a break from filming Brothers. The haircut on him is distinctly jarheady and yet again makes me relieved that Jake is the 'Other Brother'. I much prefer Jake with a hairy chin than with a heairless head...

Includes pictures from IHJ.