Andy Samberg begins his first season on "Saturday Night Live" with a series of short comedy films under his belt.

A native of Berkley, Calif., Samberg was one of three LA-based writer-performer-filmmakers (all childhood friends) dubbed "The Lonely Island" whose short films were showcased on the popular "untelevised television network" show and website: Channel 101.com. Some of their popular shorts included the "O.C." parody "The 'Bu" and their full length pilot "Awesometown." Samberg's "Lonely Island" cohorts Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer now write for "SNL" as well.