andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Michael Phelps is about to dive into new water.

The 23-year-old swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, is set to appear on screen twice in the upcoming weeks.

Phelps will first appear on the televised MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, joining Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, and the cast of High School Musical as a presenter.

Then, a week later, he will be hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live. SNL’s 34th season premiere, airing on Sept. 13, will also feature Lil Wayne as the musical guest.

And, as if that weren’t enough for “Phelps Phans”, the swimmer will also be releasing a book about his time at the Olympics, his training, and how he was raised in a single-parent family. The book, “Built To Succeed”, is slated for a December release.

John McCain will be “live from New York” once again this Saturday.

The Republican presidential candidate is set to make a cameo appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” according to aides traveling with McCain in the Pacific Northwest.

No details were revealed about McCain’s sketch in this week’s episode, which will be hosted by comedian Steve Carell with musical guest Usher.

McCain previously hosted “SNL” in 2002, making him the first sitting senator ever to host the show.

The show also did a skit in March lampooning the 71-year-old politician, played by series regular Darrell Hammond, for being “crazy old.”

Democratic presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have both appeared on “SNL” in recent months.

EW is reporting that, contrary to published reports, funny lady Maya Rudolph will not be returning to Saturday Night Live.

Rudolph told NBC execs just yesterday that she is dropping out of her eight season on the show. No official reason for her departure has been given, but a spokesperson for NBC says, “We wish Maya nothing but the best.”

Rudolph was also absent for a large part of last season while she was on maternity leave.

She will be best remembered for her impeccable impressions of Donatella Versace, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce.

Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig are now the show’s only remaining female cast members. However, new players may join the show, which will feature the rest of the ‘06-’07 cast.

Saturday Night Live will be without six actors when the new season debuts this fall, according to reports.

Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch left to focus on their new show “30 Rock,” a sitcom based on SNL.

Four other cast members have reportedly been fired, but their identities are not yet known.

“The history of ‘SNL’ has been that people step up. It’s just been that way, at least so far. I think there are people there now who are going to be brilliant,” producer Lorne Michaels told the New York Post.

Along with “30 Rock,” Aaron Sorkin’s new show “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” will also use SNL as its foundation.

With Fey gone, “Weekend Update” will now be taken care of by new member Jason Sudeikis.

SNL producers also hope to have veteran Darrell Hammond back on the show. Hammond is known for his impressions of Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

Charles Rocket, 56, was found with a slit throat at his home last week.

The case is now being treated as a suicide.

Rocket, whose real name was Charles Claverie, died October 7.

“An investigation determined there was no criminal aspect to this case,” State Police Sgt. J. Paul Vance said Monday.

Rocket, a cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” during the 1980-81 season, was always one to spark a controversy.

One specific incident was on an episode of the “Who Shot J.R.?” plot line on “Dallas,” which created a nationwide sensation at the time.

Rocket?s comments offended viewers causing NBC to publicly apologize. He was later let go due to weak ratings at the time.

“I’m horrified,” said Chris Frantz, a friend who founded the popular band “Talking Heads.” “I know that Charlie had some pretty big disappointments in his life. The world of Hollywood movies and television can be pretty rough for a person.”

The thought of suicide is a shock to both family and friends.