Anyone who has followed NBC’s Saturday Night Live lately knows there are some interesting events afoot.

Besides the confirmed departure of female cast members Rachel Dratch and Tina Fey, there are rumors circulating that four other players will face the chopping block this coming winter when SNL starts it’s 32nd season. Some of the names being thrown around are veterans Horatio Sanz, Maya Rudolph, Chris Hammond and Chris Parnell, as well as younger players Kenan Thompson, Will Forte, Finesse Mitchell, and- well, basically anyone not named Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, or Jason Sudeikis. Sudeikis, of course, has just been confirmed as the next host of Weekend Update, replacing former duo Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey, so that takes him out of the mix. Also, Sanz has recently spoke out denying his departure from the show.

One of the other few names that have escaped the axe rumors is Fred Armisen. The comedian, who started his entertainment career as the drummer for 90’s punk band Trenchmouth, has been with SNL since 2002, and he recently took some time out to talk with Invisible Limb via his new Myspace page. Here is a brief Q&A session we had with the man behind talk show host’s Ferecito and Prince.

Enjoy!

You’ve recently embraced the electronic world of Myspace, which would normally be no big deal except I know that you’ve also recently worked with Jenna Fischer (Pam from the Office). From what I’ve read Jenna is a pretty big advocator of the site, maintaining her own profile, posting behind-the-scenes blogs, and even converting a few of her Office co-stars to the social networking giant. So did she have any influence on you joining? How has it been handling the influx of fan mail and friend requests?

I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I had a site on Myspace but did nothing with it. Then Jenna told me about how it works and how it’s useful for being in touch with fans and old friends. I did it and I love it. People have said some pretty nice things and it’s given me an opportunity to talk about some of the stuff I’ve done. The influx is fine. I like busy work.

On your new Myspace you’ve provided some hidden camera videos from your ‘pre-SNL’ days. What was your mind frame like at the time you made them? Did you make them in hopes of pursuing a career in comedy? If not, when did you convince yourself this was the career for you?

I was thinking that it was fun to do. I like doing video projects. It was kind of my first comedy gig so that was exciting.

So you’ve been working at SNL since 2002. The most popular question on the mind’s of SNL fans is how their favorite cast member got contacted by SNL, and more importantly, what material they performed at their audition. In an attempt to cover both, describe for us the time period shortly before and after your SNL audition.

I went through the regular channels. My agent sent SNL a tape of my stand-up. They called and said, “Ok, come in and audition”. I did Fericito and the Self Defense guy. Marci Klein told me that I got the job. It was such amazing news that I saved the incoming call # as “best call ever”.

According to a recent New York Post article there is a cast “shake up” in the works at SNL, mainly due to budget concerns. How much of an effect do these reports, valid or not, have on your performance as a player? I would think it would be similar to a sports athlete hearing his name brought up in trade rumors in the media. Is there added pressure?

No. I don’t subscribe to complaining about pressure. I love what I do.

The article also goes on to mention that no new cast members will be hired this season, something of a rarity for the show. If true, how do you think the absence of new faces will affect yourself and the other cast members? Will you be forced to re-haze last year’s featured players?

I’m still being hazed by senior cast members.

New to SNL last season was the emergence of the show’s Digital Shorts. How was it working on these with the Lonely Island guys? The Tangent didn’t seem to elicit too much of a response from the live audience but I thought it was hilarious. Were you one of the writers for that one?

No. Bill Hader wrote it for me. I’m not kidding. I owe him big time. The Lonely Island guys are amazing and brilliant.

Internet resource Wikipedia.org offers a comprehensive list of all the characters and impressions you’ve done during your tenure on the show- and there are a lot. Which character or impression are you most proud of and which are you glad is over and done with?

My favorite is Steve Jobs. He is fascinating. Not sure about what character I’m not into doing anymore. It’s all fun.

You have a brief appearance in Aziz Ansari’s recent short video which pokes fun at mp3 blogs and “indie” promotion. What are your thoughts on mp3 blogs? Are there any in particular that you visit from time to time?

I like some of them. Is Brooklyn Vegan an MP3 blog? I love that one. Pitchfork too.

Most people are familiar with your musical background. What are some of the bands that have fired you up recently? I hear you are a big fan of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s new album.

Saddam’s stuff is very simple. Few overdubs. I like Band of Horses and the new Mission of Burma album.

On your website FredArmisen.com, there is a video for the Helio Sequence that you directed called Don’t Look Away. How did the idea come about? And why are those puppets so frightening?

The idea is from other videos I like. David Bowie “Ashes to Ashes” and Falco “Der Kommissar”. The figures are from an amusement park in Portland called “The Enchanted Forest”. The entire place is based on fairy tales.

Finally, what advice would you have for a young man or woman who is thinking about pursuing a career in comedy? What avenues do you think offer the most opportunities for newcomers (stand up, viral videos, improv circuits)?

The best thing to do is start off playing drums in a punk band. A good name is Trenchmouth. Use a kit that has timbales instead of tom toms, they are louder and more shrill. Then start doing hidden camera video pieces. Then do stand up.

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Want some more Fred Armisen? Click the links below.

Fred on Myspace
Fred on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend
Fred in a Tigers and Monkey’s music video
A bunch of Fred videos on Milk and Cookies
Fred all over YouTube