TV special will showcase 'SNL' short films

NEW YORK - Sometimes the memorable moments on

Saturday Night Live

aren't live.

From Mr. Bill to "Lazy Sunday," the late-night show has occasionally presented short films. Now, it has collected many of the best for a two-hour prime-time special airing Sunday night at 9. Andy Samberg is the host.

For a program that has sliced and diced material for all manner of prime-time compilations, it's the first time one is being devoted specifically to the short films.

"It's great to be able to show all these great ones from the past to a generation that is not familiar with them," Samberg said.

Speaking of "Synchronized Swimmers," he said: "This is not just something that influenced me heavily, but influenced everybody in comedy."

The film featuring Martin Short's water acrobatics was directed by Christopher Guest.

Samberg also remembers Eddie Murphy's short film, "White Like Me," in which the actor impersonated a white man.

"When I was a kid and saw that, my brain exploded," Samberg said. "It was like the greatest thing I'd ever seen in my life."

The granddaddy of SNL films featured Mr. Bill, a clay figure given a high-pitched voice and a tendency to meet untimely ends.

Samberg, in his fourth season at SNL, may be better known for his work on short films than live skits. "Lazy Sunday," a rap video about cupcakes and movies on an otherwise boring afternoon, became a sensation on the Internet.

Now, Samberg is hosting MTV's Movie Awards after the Saturday Night Live season ends.

Live or taped? Samberg said he doesn't have a personal preference when he's working on the show.

"It depends on the material," he said. "I've had some of the most fun of my time here live in the studio. When something is really working in there and you're feeling the audience's energy and playing off each other, that can be kind of electric."