Comedy

Jay Leno is responding to Monica Lewinsky’s claims that he went especially hard on her after her affair with Bill Clinton hit the headlines in the '90s.

Sources close to Jay tell TMZ he didn’t target Monica personally back then -- he says she was just an easy punchline and fair game, since she was everywhere in the news at the time.

Addressing Monica's claims from Tuesday's "Call Her Daddy" interview with Alex Cooper, sources say Jay wouldn’t call it unfair -- she was often the butt of the jokes, but no one was out to get her personally. It's just that, in comedy, sometimes people get hurt.

Hilaria Baldwin's standing by her man -- after a Trump impersonator tried to get under Alec's skin, it's Hilaria who chased the guy down the street ... according to the troll himself.

We got comedian Jason Scoop Tuesday in NYC, where his harassing confrontation of Alec went down, and went viral after he posted it. If ya missed it, Scoop hurled over-the-top zingers at Alec while impersonating Donald Trump Sunday night, provoking a furious response in which the actor threatened to snap the comic's neck.

But, Scoop claims one of the wildest parts of his interaction on the street wasn't caught on camera. He says after Alec erupted over Scoop's jabs about the "Rust" shooting death of Halyna Hutchins, Hilaria came swooping in to protect her hubby.

Justin Bieber and Dave Chappelle enjoyed a relaxing night on the town together ... catching up over a smoke break.

The singer and comedy legend were photographed together at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood on Saturday night. The guys were seen sitting on the outside patio catching up while Justin took a smoke break.

It's unclear if the best friends were at the bar alone or with a group. At one point, JB was seen hugging another person who was arriving to the bar.

Rachael Kirkconnell's got a new man in her life ... it's the Brawny dude -- and, she says it's finally someone she feels she can rely on.

"The Bachelor" alum is starring in a new ad for the paper towel giant ... and, she kicks it off by taking a shot at her ex -- saying she's cooking from home now because she doesn't have to pick out the perfect dinner spot anymore.

Remember, Rachael says she and Matt James got into a massive fight when a restaurant she picked wasn't up to his standards ... and, now she says she's free of that obligation.

Sure, it might not be as valuable as the T206 Honus Wagner or a 1956 Mickey Mantle, but Topps' '25 signed Larry David card, which just sold for over 10 racks at auction, is MUCH COOLER!

The one-of-one card features a photo of the "Seinfeld" creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star from a classic episode of 'Curb,' "Mister Softee" ... where David's wearing his "Yari’s Autonomics" softball uniform (very apropos).

Fans of the show will remember Larry making a Bill Buckner-type error, costing Yari's the championship.

Tracy Morgan flattered Jeanie Buss while possibly exposing his lack of NBA knowledge at the same time ... with Jay Mohr saying the comedy legend asked his wife if she was a Laker Girl!!

The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member revealed the hilarious interaction in a preview of an upcoming "Mohr Stories" episode ... saying it went down at the sketch show's 50th anniversary event last week.

Mohr explained one of his goals for the weekend was to get his wife and longtime friend to get a pic together ... and he made it happen -- but not before the memorable encounter.

D.L. Hughley isn’t holding back on Trevor Noah’s recent podcast question about whether integration was the right move for America -- calling it "maybe the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

He broke it down on "TMZ Live" Tuesday, saying Black people are still at a disadvantage even after integration -- pointing to issues like "white flight" and underfunded Black schools.

D.L. doubled down that integration was necessary because Black schools were severely underfunded -- but once schools did start integrating, white kids left, taking resources with them ... basically canceling it out.

R. Kelly's attorney is clapping back at 'SNL' after the show took a jab at him during its 50th anniversary special this weekend.

Kelly's lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, tells TMZ she finds it "Rather arrogant that SNL sees it as their job to decide, belatedly, who should and should not be canceled."

In case you missed it, 'SNL50' made light of its more controversial moments over the years with an "In Memoriam" segment, highlighting its "problematic guests" -- including R. Kelly, Diddy, O.J. Simpson, Jared Fogle and Robert Blake.

Tom Hanks stirred the pot as he stepped into character for 'SNL's 50th anniversary special -- but his portrayal of a Trump supporter didn’t land well across the board.

The Oscar winner took on the MAGA-hat-wearing role of Doug in a 'Black Jeopardy' skit, where his character preached the world would be better if more people went to church.

When game show host Darnell Hayes -- Kenan Thompson -- went in for a handshake, Doug pulled back, saying, "Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa!"

The "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special wasn't about to come and go without a couple shots at Bronny James ... with the Lakers rookie's name getting dropped for laughs during the show.

The 20-year-old was targeted toward the beginning of "Weekend Update" ... with Michael Che uttering a wisecrack about bringing his own form of nepotism to the staple sketch.

"Me and Colin [Jost] are actually the longest serving 'Weekend Update' anchors," Che said. "I've done 'Weekend Update' for so long, next season I'm co-hosting with my son, Bronny."

"Saturday Night Live" has been on 50 years ... and, some of the biggest stars in Hollywood gathered to celebrate the brilliant sketch comedy show -- bringing their best style to the carpet.

Cast members Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig brought some spice to the carpet ... with Maya showing off her bright blue dress and Kristen throwing on a revealing, sheer black ensemble. Blake Lively, who hosted the show back in 2009 wore a low-cut silver dress to the event.

The guys brought their A-game too ... with Tracy Morgan and Darrell Hammond stunning in their suits.

Hidden behind this "Saturday Night Live" legend is a gal from up north who ventured to LA in the early 2000s. Given the clues, can you guess who this mashed up celeb is? You've got this!

She started her career at the infamous sketch comedy school, The Groundlings, and was off to 'SNL' from there. She's also no stranger to box office. You'd definitely want her as one of your bridesmaids!

Her final performance on 'SNL' may have been back in 2012, but she's set to hit the iconic Studio 8H this weekend for the 50th Anniversary special!

Will Ferrell's looks over the years make him one sexy spartan!

Here is a 30-year-old version of the "Saturday Night Live" star rockin' the bowl cut and side burns for his iconic sketch turned movie "A Night At The Roxbury" back in 1998 (left).

And, nearly three decades later Mr. Ferrell was cool and casual at last month's screening of "You're Cordially Invited" in NYC (right). He may be showin' some gray, but in our eyes, he can still get it all night and all day 😜!

With show-stopping impersonations of stars like Alex Trebek, Harry Carey, George Bush  ... the only thing his rugged beauty could use is a little more cowbell!

The question here is ...

'SNL 50' put on a concert for the ages Friday night in NYC ... as several superstar musicians and former cast joined forces to celebrate 'Saturday Night Live's half-century milestone!

Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon and Bill Murray were some of the highlights in the packed" SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert" show ... which also featured performances by Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin, Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Post Malone.

Miley worked the stage — and the audience — as the three-time Grammy winner performing at Radio City Music Hall early into the multi-hour celebratory event. MC belted Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with Brittany Howard, as well as her Grammy-winning hit, "Flowers."

Comedian Jeff Dye's taking a blowtorch to Sarah Hyland's family-friendly image -- 'cause he says the sitcom star's the worst -- and, he went out of his way to ruin her big moment on a movie set.

Dye sat down for an interview on "The George Janko Show" ... and, he talked about his time on "The Wedding Year" -- a 2019 rom-com starring Hyland, Tyler James Williams, Jenna Dewan and Anna Camp.

In the movie, Dye plays Camp's character's husband ... a role he says landed him on set for all of 30 seconds -- long enough to see Sarah's worst parts, Jeff claims.

Steve Martin is gearing up for one of the biggest performances of his career for the 'SNL' 50th anniversary special ... and he's doing it alongside some of his famous friends.

Steve turned heads on Thursday night at the legendary Comedy Cellar in NYC, when he spontaneously took the stage to workshop material. Sources with knowledge tell us his jokes are in preparation for the massive 'SNL' show this upcoming Sunday.

We're told 'SNL' legends Martin Short and John Mulaney joined Steve onstage and participated in his bit.