Who: Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Marika Sawyer, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Bryan Tucker, Chris Kelly, moderated by Steve Gaydos
What: “Live from New York… A Discussion with the Saturday Night Live Writers”
Where: Paley Center for Media
When: November 13, 2011
Thumbs: Up

Barack Obama impersonator Reggie Brown first hit my radar in April, but with a much-publicized performance at the Republican Leadership Conference, he figures to be on many more screens in the near future. Initially accused (by liberal blogs) of telling “racist jokes,” then by RLC President Charlie Davis of “racially insensitive jokes,” the truth beyond those accusations has emerged. In an exclusive interview with Mediaite, Reggie responds to his critics, talks about his past and future, and issues a friendly challenge to fellow Faux-bama Fred Armisen.

Over the course of 2010, we covered an array of politicians, authors, entertainers, media mavens, and others as they discussed their crafts and their industries. We enjoyed most of the panels, lectures, and debates we took in, while some of them fell short. Here, a rundown of our 5 favorites, followed by the 10 quotes that defined the year in New York City media panels:

Last week’s Betty White hosted episode has seemingly given gravitas to the many Facebook SNL petitions out there. Consider Saturday’s episode the comedy world equivalent of the John Edwards story giving the National Enquirer a semblance of credibility. The question is, will Lorne Michaels and company deign to listen to their online fans again?

Well no one says Lorne Michaels doesn’t have his finger on the pulse of our culture: Tonight’s SNL featured a cold open where ex-Rep. Eric Massa fessed up to groping his staffers, tickle-fights, and a whole bunch of Navy “snorkeling.”

Update: Special guest Jerry Seinfeld joined Seth Meyers in a second take-down of Massa during “Weekend Update”. Both videos below.

The rumors are true, and yes, Facebook had something to do with it. USA Today is reporting that Betty White will be hosting the May 8 broadcast of Saturday Night Live after refusing the spot for years. White, whose legendary status has persisted to a younger generation through her role in The Proposal, playing beer pong with Jimmy Fallon, and, yes, those Golden Girls reruns on Lifetime, became the center of a Facebook campaign to get her to host after the debut of her new Snickers ad during the Super Bowl. And Lorne Michaels couldn’t sound happier about it.

For many Saturday Night Live writers, the gig is their first real job. And that makes Lorne Michaels their first real boss. Contrary to what you may have heard, Michaels actually sounds like a supportive and understanding boss, setting aside the pressures of producing a weekly comedy show in favor of focusing on how to help his young talent get better at what they do.

Who: Jimmy Fallon interviewed by Bill Carter What: The New York Times’ Arts & Leisure Weekend Where: The Times Center When: January 8, 2009 Thumbs: At our palms, applauding

The year 2009 had many media bright spots, break-out stars, dominating networks and game-changing technologies. The Mediaite 50 collects the finest, most exemplary innovators and influencers of the year, defining a media moment in time and setting the agenda as we move forward. See the full list after the jump:

This week, Barney’s unveiled their annual holiday windows, this year celebrating Saturday Night Live. The displays are heavy on allusion to various characters, scenes and personalities from the series’ 35 years – but deciphering each of those references is hindered by the primary mode of presentation, papier-mâché. I can’t help but suspect that this medium was chosen primarily to evoke sympathy – after all, it’s possible, if not probable, that they were actually made by a class of fourth graders.

Last week, Jake Tapper‘s potential facial hair (and high profile interviews) made him a big gain on the Power Grid — all the way up to the #2 spot. Then, he spoke out about the government’s campaign against Fox News and he came out ahead. Plus: Erin Andrews and Ann Coulter!

It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with competition and we get our kicks from big movement on the Power Grid. Recently malady has been responsible for movement in the rankings: just look at Dr. Sanjay Gupta and New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin . But who were the other big movers and shakers, and why the fluctuation? Find out inside.

In its 34th season last year, SNL went mainstream — super mainstream. Thanks to Tina Fey‘s uncanny resemblance to Sarah Palin — a Vice-Presidential candidate who revealed herself to be a headline machine in one of the most riveting election seasons in U.S. history — SNL hit its stride with viral video after viral video, [...]

“I’m so heartbroken that the Internet, for the first time, was wrong about something. How are we ever going to trust the Internet again?” Who said it?