Zac Efron Toe-Points Toward an SNL/iTunes Rip-Off

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Did you enjoy this week's Saturday Night Live sketch where Zac Efron has his toes sucked by older brother Jason Sudeikis? Well, my internet-equipped perv, you're not likely to find it online. NBC hasn't made the clip available on its SNL website, and it's stamping out the sketch on YouTube. Though the New York Daily News attempted to imply there was some skulduggery afoot (ahem), the real explanation is more simple -- though it's indicative of a major problem with SNL's online presence.

E! points out that the sketch used two bits of licensed music -- "Monkey Wrench" by the Foo Fighters and "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross -- and that music licensing issues had not been worked out to allow NBC to use those same songs online (those same issues are often responsible for the delay of music-heavy series on DVD, since the format wasn't included in the contract when the songs were originally licensed).

One big problem? iTunes sells new SNL episodes online for $2.99 without giving any indication of which sketches will be cut -- and sometimes, the missing music-driven sketches (say, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake's "Single Ladies" skit from the Paul Rudd-hosted episode) are the buzzworthy ones that are motivating the purchase. As you can imagine, the discrepancy has a nation of foot and leotard fetishists up in arms, and the SNL section on iTunes is filled with complaints. Heed their cries, NBC, or face an outraged fan campaign that floods every executive desk with toenail-filled envelopes delivered via UPS.

· The Real Reason Zac Efron's SNL Fetish Footwork Got the Boot [E!]



Comments

  • HwoodHills says:

    If you're THAT worried about missing out on a, "Zac Ef gets his toes sucked" sketch, maybe your issue's bigger than "false advertising?"

  • TRFD says:

    How is anyone in this day and age not making sure licensing agreements cover online material, especially a flagship show of a major network? I don't get it...

  • el smrtmnky says:

    i asked them to put up the Vincent Price sketch with Jon Hamm by emailing them and commenting on Hulu and they did it w/in a few hours. but then again, this was kinda creepy.

  • Inhaler says:

    I bet Vanessa can't fit that much foot in her mouth.
    And also, was Jason Sudeikis able to conceal his chubby?

  • JASONELIAS says:

    E! should know better. It was Heatwave who did the original version of "Always and Forever" and that was the version in the skit. Wow, I'm boring and old, excuse while I go see what 8 tracks need fixing...

  • pagebailey says:

    I didn't see this sketch, but I am curious as to why there is a stack of Lane Bryant catalogs on the table in front of them....