Michael Phelps to Host Season Premier of “Saturday Night Live”Filed Under: Television

Michael Phelps, still riding the Olympic waves from Beijing, has been announced as the host for the season premier of “Saturday Night Live” which kicks off on September 13.

Reserved for hollywood elite’s such as Tom Hanks and Steve Martin who are both members of the “Five Timers’ Club,” the 23 year old will open the show celebrating SNL’s 34 season. Ironically the musical guest Lil Wayne graced the song list of Phelps’ Ipod before his races in Beijing.

On top of SNL, the “Alltime Olympian” will also be making an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno earlier in the week on September 8.

Catch “Saturday Night Live’s” season premier on Sept. 13 at 11:30pm ET/PT on NBC.

FULL RELEASE:
New York, NY ˆ August 27, 2008 ˆ “Saturday Night Live” makes its 34th season premiere on Saturday, September 13 featuring two of the biggest names of the summer ˆ Michael Phelps and hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne.

US Olympic swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps will make his acting debut hosting the season premiere hot off his record-shattering performance in Beijing.

The SNL season premiere kicks off four live shows in a row, a rare practice that generated momentum for the show this past spring when the show returned after the WGA Strike-imposed hiatus. All told, seven all-new SNL’s will air on Saturdays prior to the election.

Phelps went a perfect 8-for-8 in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz’s single-Games record for most gold medals won. In addition, Phelps broke another Olympics record, becoming the most decorated Olympian in history, winning a stunning 14 career gold medals. Phelps currently holds seven world records in swimming.

Unprecedented millions tuned in to watch Phelps in action, from the US Swim Team’s explosive victory over the French in the 4×100m freestyle relay, by just .08 of a second; to Phelps’ record-demolishing performance in the 4×200m freestyle relay breaking the record by more than four seconds and his seventh gold medal win, beating Serbia’s Milorad Cavic by the slimmest and most dramatic margin imaginable ˆ one-one-hundredth of a second.

Joining Phelps and also making his SNL debut is hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne.

 

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Tags: Michael Phelps, Phelps Host SNL, Saturday Night Live

Phelps Addresses Amanda Beard and Lily Donaldson RumorsFiled Under: Rumors

While it’s clear that Phelps is the Alltime Olympian after his performance in Beijing, one thing that is not clear is the 23 year old’s girlfriend status.

The media whirlwind surrounding Phelps in recent days has led to rumors of the swimmer being connected to teammate Amanda Beard and British fashion model Lily Donaldson.

During an interview with Extra’s Dayna Devon, Phelps cleared the air and put to rest any rumors that he is dating Amanda Beard. As for Lily Donaldson, only time will tell.

“No, I’m not dating Amanda Beard. I’ll say that. I think she has a boyfriend.” When asked if he’s single, he responds, “Part of my life is kept to myself. I’m able to relax and be with my friends. Those pretty much are the only people who really know the answer to that question.”

Amanda Beard, two-time Olympic gold medallist and captain of the 2008 swim team, made headlines in Beijing but not for her swimming talent which allowed her to medal in the last three Olympic Games. In fact, in a shocking turn of events, Beard finished 6th in her 200m breaststroke heat and failed to advance to the semifinals in Beijing.

Instead Beard left her wet-suit behind and used the Olympic platform for her political agenda which included unveiling her nude anti-fur campaign poster for animal rights organization PETA.

The protest, originally scheduled to take place in a hotel conference room that officials ended up locking down, instead took place just outside of the athletes’ village on Wednesday morning August 6th.

The poster (pictured above) reads:

BE COMFORTABLE
IN YOUR OWN SKIN.
DON’T WEAR FUR.

This isn’t the first time the American swimmer has shown her “ass”ets in public. Beard posed nude for the July 2007 edition of Playboy Magazine (+18 see pics).

Amanda Beard Gallery

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Tags: Amanda Beard, Lily Donaldson, Michael Phelps, Phelps Rumors

Michael Phelps Sport Illustrated Cover RevealedFiled Under: Press

Sports Illustrated revealed their new Michael Phelps cover for the upcoming August 25th issue which is expected to hit news stands on Thursday.

This is the fifth time Phelps has graced the cover of the prestigious sports magazine. Mark Spitz, who Phelps surpassed with his astonishing 8 gold medal run, made the cover three times.

On the new cover, Phelps, who is labeled “The Alltime Olympian,” replicates the famous 1972 pose of Mark Spitz when he won his record 7 gold medals. The photo signifies a new era in Olympic champions with Michael Phelps winning a world record 8 gold medals in Beijing.

The photo was taken by SI’s Simon Bruty inside an ancient temple on Sunday night in Beijing.

Here is a gallery of Michael Phelps’ five Sports Illustrated covers in descending order.

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Tags: Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps, SI Cover, Sports Illustrated