By using the site, you consent to these cookies. ", Will Ferrell's idea for the sketch came from hearing "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" over the years: "Every time I heard [the song], I would hear the faint cowbell in the background and wonder, 'What is that guy's life like? And, of course, I asked Jackie O Still I feel like a million dollars Walken has hosted Saturday Night Live a total of seven times, and is therefore part of the "Five-Timers Club", a select group of celebrities who have hosted the show five or more times. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong called him back, saying, "Wait, goddamn it!" Christopher Walken[1] is an American character actor whose career has spanned over 50 years with appearances in theater, film, and television. 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He passive-aggressively plays the cowbell very close to Eric Bloom (Chris Parnell)'s ear and fails to keep time with the rest of the band. Following his early (1950s) work in television and theater, Walken has acted primarily in films. [16], Members of Blue Öyster Cult were positive regarding the sketch. Hello, I'm Christopher Walken, and this is Saturday Night Live. I invited Michael Jackson I Invited Joanie Collins Come on down, come on down Parnell plays the group's lead singer, "Eric". [26], The sketch is listed by the title "Recording Session" in a 2017, breaking up laughing and ruining the sketch, "Jimmy Fallon and James Franco laugh about 'more cowbell' sketch from 'SNL' on 'Tonight Show, "Jimmy Fallon Recalls Famous Blue Oyster Cult / 'More Cowbell' Saturday Night Live Skit", "When Is It OK to Crack Up? 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Be right back! [5][6][7] On "Take Two," Walken can be seen through the booth glass, laughing, as Ferrell's too-tight shirt rides up, exposing Ferrell's stomach while he is dancing and playing the cowbell. Additionally, Ferrell was unfamiliar with the song and not aware of the sound-break near its end. This list includes appearances in various episodes of fictional shows, while excluding appearances as himself on talk shows, interview shows, ceremonies, and the like. In 2004, The Best of Christopher Walken was released on DVD, featuring highlights from Walken's many appearances on the show. I feel like a million dollars But, to my surprise, everyone of those guys Watch Christopher Walken Collection from Saturday Night Live online at NBC.com. [22], At Ferrell's all-star cancer benefit concert Best Night of Your Life on October 6, 2018, Ferrell joined Coldplay's Chris Martin on cowbell for the song "Viva la Vida. In addition to acting for film and television, Walken has acted in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway theater productions. The sketch ends with a freeze frame on Frenkle with the superimposed message: "In Memoriam: Gene Frenkle: 1950–2000. Come on down, come on down [18] The cowbell did not appear during the actual episode. Frenkle sheepishly agrees to tone down his performance in the spirit of cooperation. Frenkle's exuberance in following this advice causes him to bump into his bandmates as he dances around the cramped studio, thrusting his pelvis wildly in all directions, and the band aborts another take. "[23], In St. Charles, Missouri, a marathon/half marathon race is held annually called MO’ Cowbell Run. (song) and Kate McKinnon with Her American Accent, Weekend Update: Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany Trump on the 2020 Election, Justin Bieber and benny blanco: Lonely (Live), Weekend Update: Famous 80's Cocaine Wife Carla on NYC Nightlife, Justin Bieber ft. christopher walken christopher walken christopher walken saturday night live Despite the fact that Frenkle is fictional, fans occasionally express their sympathies to Blue Öyster Cult over his death. [4] Ferrell re-wrote the sketch when Christopher Walken was scheduled to host to fit the actor's rhythm. I feel simply out of sight An episode of VH1's Behind the Music documenting the band Blue Öyster Cult showcases footage of the group from a 1976 recording session that produced the band's biggest hit, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." He also sings and dances, as seen in some of his films including: Puss in Boots, Hairspray, and Pennies from Heaven. For more information on cookies including how to manage your consent visit our. On May 14, 2005, on an episode that Will Ferrell hosted, the Gene Frenkle character made a reappearance on the set of Saturday Night Live as musical guest Queens of the Stone Age played their first song of the night, "Little Sister" – which features a jam block, an instrument similar to a cowbell. If the driver engages the autopilot activation 4 times in quick succession, it starts cowbell mode, which plays a long audio clip of the sketch and shows a rainbow trail on the touchscreen following the car. '"[2] He co-wrote the sketch with friend and playwright Donnell Campbell. The sketch is presented as an episode of VH1's documentary series Behind the Music that fictionalizes the recording of the song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult. Watch Saturday Night Live highlight 'The Continental' on NBC.com I'm rehearsing in my dancing shoes According to Fallon, Ferrell wore a tighter shirt in the live sketch than he wore at dress rehearsal to allow his stomach to hang out, in turn making Fallon laugh. In the end, the band agrees to let Frenkle play the cowbell part his way. "[14], The sketch was referenced on various episodes of SNL in years to come. Explore Christopher Walken's characters and sketches on Saturday Night Live. I feel simply out of sight Laughing, Armstrong answered, "Yes. DVD special features include auditions, photo gallery, dress rehearsals, outtakes, TV appearances. I'm throwing a ball tonight It's hard to describe the excitement that I'm feeling at this moment. In reality, the song was recorded at the. Walken's early career was primarily in theater and television where he often played small roles. (spoken outro) [citation needed] Ferrell appeared in the 2011 video for "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys, in the front of a limo, playing a cowbell. Ferrell's appearance was unrehearsed and it was unknown to Green Day that Ferrell would appear. [108] This list includes the most popular of them. "More Cowbell"[a] is a comedy sketch that aired on Saturday Night Live on April 8, 2000. Okay, you can't. (spoken intro) I'm throwing a ball tonight Even Ferrell at one point can be seen laughing for a moment soon after Jimmy Fallon laughs for the first time in the sketch. He has acted in more than 100 additional plays including some by Shakespeare. Walken has been a primary character in two film franchises: as Gabriel the fallen angel in The Prophecy series, and as Jacob Witting in the made-for-television films based on Patricia MacLachlan's Sarah, Plain and Tall novels.