Saturday Night Live Secrets We Didn’t Know About Until Now!
An evening of live comedy sketches. It’s been 45 years since Saturday Night Live first aired! Sketches, celebrity hosts, and musical guests all appear on Lorne Michaels’ show, which he developed and hosts. There have been a large number of SNL cast members who have gone on to become major stars since the show’s inception. Take a peek behind the scenes of “Live from New York!” to learn more about the show, its stars, and the behind-the-scenes details.
SNL Gave Carson a Break
In the 1970s, award-winning television host Johnny Carson was something of a cultural icon. Millions tuned in to watch the World War II veteran’s show because of his conversational approach to interviewing guests.
SNL Gave Carson A Break
Weekend reruns of some of Carson’s most memorable interviews were shown on NBC between 1965 and 1975. The star requested that the shows be shifted to the weekdays so that he could take some vacation time. Dick Ebersol began working on a show for Saturday nights as a result.
Candice Bergen Was the First Female Host
It was hosted by George Carlin and referred to as NBC’s Saturday Night when it first aired. Candice Bergen was the show’s first female host, and the first host to return for a second season..
Candice Bergen Was The First Female Host
Among the other female hosts, there was actress Drew Barrymore, who was the youngest host ever at the age of six. There are no other female hosts who have hosted as many episodes of the comedy show as this one—six to be exact!
There Have Been Tragic Losses
A comedian’s dark side is unfortunately all too common, even among the funniest of them. For this and other reasons, there have been a number of tragic deaths within the SNL community. Gilda Radner, Danitra Vance, and Tom Davis all died of cancer, while John Belushi and Chris Farley both succumbed to their addictions.
There Have Been Tragic Losses
Michael O’Donoghue was 54 when he died of a brain hemorrhage and Charles Rocket, a cast member, took his own life. As the show’s first head writer, he was also the show’s first character to speak a word.
Victoria Jackson Gave Out Bibles
Between 1986 and 1992, Victoria Jackson appeared on Saturday Night Live as an actress, comedian, and singer. Because Jackson is a right-wing Christian conservative, she had to reach out to her co-stars. Jackson left Bible audio cassettes in the mail slots of her coworkers.
Victoria Jackson Gave Out Bibles
She remarked, “Maybe I’m overcompensating, because everybody here is dying and going to hell, and I’m supposed to tell them about Jesus.” The rest of the cast was not pleased with the course of action.
Larry David Quit and Un-Quit
It’s safe to say that Larry David is one of the most well-known SNL alumni. Seinfeld, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, was actually inspired by his time on the show.
Larry David Quit And Un Quit
At one point, while writing for SNL, Larry David approached the producers and said, “That’s it! I quit!” However, he changed his mind over the weekend and showed up at work on Monday as if nothing had happened. David was inspired to write his first episode of Seinfeld, “The Revenge,” by this incident.
Martin Lawrence Is Banned
Several celebrities have been barred from hosting or appearing on SNL in the future. Martin Lawrence, a comedian, actor, and writer, is one of them. The star rose to prominence in the 1990s, and in 1994, she hosted the sketch show.
Martin Lawrence Is Banned
Unfortunately, Martin Lawrence’s monologue was all about women’s hygiene, or the lack thereof. In response to the comedian’s tirade, the show’s sponsors received over 200 complaints. It has since released clips of Lawrence’s performance that have been edited to remove the content that was infringing.
Chris Farley Went to Rehab
At the age of 33, Chris Farley, an actor and comedian, tragically died from addiction issues. Many people don’t realize how many times the actor has sought treatment for substance abuse. He died for the final time one night during the week.
Chris Farley Went To Rehab
At SNL’s conclusion in 1997, Chris Farley served as host one last time, but the show’s cast and crew were so disturbed by his performance that it was removed from distribution and streaming.
Tina Fey Was First Female Head Writer
In 1999, actress, comedian, and writer Tina Fey was promoted to the position of the head writer on Saturday Night Live (SNL), despite the show’s reputation as a “boy’s club.” During her time in charge of the show’s writing staff, Fey won a Writers Guild of America Award and an Emmy for her work.
Tina Fey Was First Female Head Writer
Tina Fey is frequently ranked in the top three Saturday Night Live cast members. Through the 1990s, she steered Weekend Update in a new direction and made it her own.
The Yankees Are SNL’s Mascot
You can never have too much superstition in the entertainment industry. SNL has had the same seats in Yankee Stadium since 1975, when the show first debuted there. Lorne Michaels, the SNL showrunner at the time, was offered the four seats behind home plate by the Yankees owner.
The Yankees Are SNL’s Mascot
That’s why they’ve been paying to keep them since then. On a regular basis, Yankees fans can catch Michaels, as well as other A-listers and cast members, in this coveted seat.
Phil Hartman was Murdered
We’ve already talked about some of the tragic losses that SNL has had to deal with. In any case, the passing of Phil Hartman merits a separate section. Joining the cast in 1986, the Canadian-American actor, comedian, and screenwriter earned the nickname “Glue” for his ability to keep the group cohesive.
Phil Hartman Was Murdered
On The Simpsons, Hartman voiced Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure Brynn Omdahl, the star’s wife and a former model, killed him while he was in bed. He had just turned 49 years old.
NBC is In Charge
Some of the SNL cast members were making millions of dollars in other projects, and NBC’s studio was beginning to worry. People like Adam Sandler and Eddie Murphy walked away from the show and went on to star in blockbuster films.
NBC Is In Charge
Because of this, they renegotiated the contracts of their stars. It’s now possible to reject two offers from NBC for a sitcom but not the third. Because it means NBC can “own” a star for years at a time, this drew ire from some people.
The First Season Had Muppets
SNL’s first season featured an episode featuring Jim Henson’s Muppets in every episode! A decision was made to use darker versions of the puppets on the show because both Lorne Michaels and Jim Henson shared the same manager. The SNL cast and the Muppets, on the other hand, did not get along.
The First Season Had Muppets
Older Muppet performers did not appreciate SNL sketches because they felt the Muppets were taking up too much of their time. They eventually backed out, and the more sinister Muppets went on to star in The Dark Crystal instead.
Many Don’t Make It
What about the performers who didn’t make it into the Saturday Night Live cast? While Nickelodeon’s Kenan Thompson is now the longest-serving cast member, Kel Mitchell auditioned for the show but was rejected.
Many Don’t Make It
Kevin Hart and Jim Carrey were the only other well-known actors and actresses to be omitted from the final list. Perhaps Jim Carrey would have been a good fit for this role?
There’s a Five-Timers Club
There are many challenges in hosting Saturday Night Live—you must be funny and confident in your monologue, and you must avoid making any mistakes on live television. There are some celebs who are better suited to this role than others. Members of the Five-Timers Club have hosted the show five or more times.
There’s A Five Timers Club
A list of the members of the Five-Timers club includes actors such as Steve Martin, John Goodman, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase, Danny DeVito, Drew Barrymore, Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, and Bill Murray, among others.
Chevy Chase Was Homophobic
He was a cast member of Saturday Night Live’s first season, real name Cornelius Crane Chase. The actor won three Emmys for his work on the show, two for writing it and one for acting in it. Chevy Chase, on the other hand, held some deeply troubling beliefs, which he frequently expressed on television.
Chevy Chase Was Homophobic
Chevy Chase made a homophobic joke about Terry Sweeney, a gay cast member, in an episode during the HIV epidemic. Lorne Michaels demanded an immediate apology from Chase, which displeased the comedian.
The Cast Write Their Own Material
The Saturday Night Live cast is expected to write their own material, unlike some other shows. For some cast members, not being able to see their sketches on TV has been a source of frustration. This was the real reason Larry David took a leave of absence.
The Cast Write Their Own Material
Rachel Dratch, a cast member, has stated this: “I don’t think people realize how much you have to write for yourself. If you can’t figure it out, then you’re handed your walking papers.”
Norm McDonald Fought an Intern
Norm McDonald is a Canadian actor, comedian, and writer who appeared on Saturday Night Live from 1993 to 1999. Wyatt Cenac, a comedian and writer, was then an intern on the show and played soccer with the star at one point. Cenac was enraged when he accidentally kicked McDonald.
Norm McDonald Fought An Intern
“He grabbed me, tried to throw me across the room, which is not how soccer is played,” Wayne Cenac later told Stephen Colbert. He continued, “And I pushed him off me.”
John Mulaney Made Bill Break
Before starring in major films and creating his own series, Bill Hader made his name as a stand-up comic and actor on Saturday Night Live. Hader played Stefan, a Weekend Update city correspondent, on the live comedy show from 2005 to 2013.
John Mulaney Made Bill Break
Putting his hands on his face isn’t just a character trait for Stefan. In order to make Bill Hader laugh, John Mulaney, who had been on the show for a decade, reworked some jokes prior to airing.
Jay Mohr Plagiarized a Routine
SNL is a demanding job that comes with a great deal of responsibility and public scrutiny. Jay Mohr, an American comedian, actor, and radio host, was unable to cope with the pressures of this. The star was on the show from 1993 to 1995 and suffered from panic attacks on a regular basis during this time.
Jay Mohr Plagiarized A Routine
In fact, he claims that co-star Sarah Silverman saved his life by assisting him in securing medical treatment. Rick Shapiro’s stand-up routine was plagiarized by Jay Mohr while he was on the show. As soon as the higher-ups learned of his actions, he was terminated.
John Belushi Was a Misogynist
In fact, he claims that co-star Sarah Silverman saved his life by assisting him in securing treatment. A routine by Rick Shapiro was lifted verbatim by Jay Mohr while he was performing on the show. They fired him as soon as they found out.
John Belushi Was A Misogynist
To avoid participating in sketches written by women, the star refused to do so. Jane Curtin, a cast member, said, “He felt as though it was his duty to sabotage pieces written by women.” It was, to put it mildly, disappointing.
The Stage is Suspended
Filming for Saturday Night Live takes place in Studio 8H, which is located on the 8th and 9th floors of the Comcast Building, also known as 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Tina Fey’s SNL-inspired comedy 30 Rock is, of course, named after this location.
The Stage Is Suspended
Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra used the studio as a radio soundstage prior to its current use. It was suggested by Toscanini that the entire stage be suspended from the ceiling so that it would not be disturbed by the nearby subway’s rumble.
Jon Hamm Encouraged Amy Poehler
Jon Hamm hosted his first Saturday Night Live in 2008. A sketch based on the actor’s hit show, Mad Men, would be performed by him and Amy Poehler on the show. A heavily pregnant Poehler learned that her OB-GYN had died while they were rehearsing for their show.
Jon Hamm Encouraged Amy Poehler
When Amy Poehler broke down in tears, a terrified John Hamm exclaimed, “I know this is very sad, but this is a really important show for me, so I’m going to need you to get your sh*t together.”
Chevy Was Banned for Life
Bill Murray replaced Chevy Chase at the beginning of season 2 of SNL. After a long absence, Chase returned to the show as the first host, and he was a jerk to everyone.
Chevy Was Banned For Life
Jane Curtin refused to work with Chevy Chase, but he was still asked back to the show. The host of the 1997 show slapped and harassed a female writer and yelled at everyone else, including Cheri Oteri. In the end, he was banned from hosting.
Sarah Silverman Stabbed Al Franken
Sarah Silverman was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1993 to 1994. She has since told the story of how she stabbed Senator Al Franken in the hair and apologized profusely.
Sarah Silverman Stabbed Al Franken
She remarked, “I was just kind of like a million miles away looking at his hair. The whole table has really sharpened pencils, like super sharp… and in my mind, I just thought, I’m gonna like stab this through his hair. But what everyone saw, because this is what happened, was that I just stabbed him really hard.”
Norm McDonald Didn’t Like Chris Kattan
Given that Norm McDonald got into a fight with intern Wayne Cenac over a hallway soccer match, it appears that Norm McDonald is not a particularly easygoing person to be around.
Norm McDonald Didn’t Like Chris Kattan
In addition, the comedian made derogatory remarks about Chris Kattan, claiming that “I don’t know, but to me he seems gay… He claims he’s not, but I’ve never seen, like, a guy who’s not gay seem so gay. I don’t find him funny. What can I say? Never made me laugh.” During rehearsals, the two frequently clashed, and when McDonald returned to host, Kattan was nowhere to be found.
Andy Sandberg Got Overwhelmed
Andy Samberg was a fan favorite on Saturday Night Live. From 2005 to 2012, the Lonely Island member was a regular on SNL, where he popularized digital shorts. Samberg won an Emmy for his parody songs, which he wrote and performed with his band members and Justin Timberlake.
Andy Sandberg Got Overwhelmed
However, in 2012, the star abruptly left the show without informing his co-stars. “What it came down to was I just couldn’t physically and emotionally do it anymore,” he later explained.
Tina Fey Wouldn’t Film with Sarah Palin
The whole world was watching when Tina Fey stepped into Sarah Palin’s shoes. Tina Fey, on the other hand, was not a fan of “sneaker uppers,” in which the person you’re impersonating sneaks up on stage and joins the performer. Fey refused to do a two-shot because she didn’t want Palin near her.
Tina Fey Wouldn’t Film With Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin stood backstage with Lorne Michaels, watching Fey’s impression on a monitor, to get around this. Alec Baldwin, on the other hand, ended up interacting with the divisive figure.
Sinéad O’Connor Is Banned
The appearance of Irish artist Sinéad O’Connor on Saturday Night Live is probably one of the most well-known episodes of the show. O’Connor ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II in protest of child abuse in the church while performing her live musical performance, which was a rendition of Bob Marley’s “War.”
Sinéad O’Connor Is Banned
Tim Robbins, a devout Catholic, was the host that night, and he refused to acknowledge O’Connor. Later Catholic guests Madonna and Joe Pesci also spoke out against the star’s actions. It would be nine years before the church issued a formal apology for the abuse.
Darrell Hammond Struggled Backstage
From 1995 to 2009, actor, comedian, and impressionist Darrell Hammond was a regular on Saturday Night Live. That’s a fantastic run! Then, in 2014, he succeeded Don Pardo as announcer. Darrell Hammond has always struggled with self-harm, despite being a hit on the show.
Darrell Hammond Struggled Backstage
Hammond revealed in his memoir that he self-harmed frequently behind the scenes at SNL and was once admitted to a psychiatric ward. In Hammond’s abusive childhood, his mother stabbed, slapped, and tortured him. This behavior is a result of this abuse. Later, he was diagnosed with PTSD.
Lorne Michaels Banned Two Episodes
Lorne Michaels has two episodes of Saturday Night Live he wants to keep in the vault. Louise Lasser, an actress and writer, hosted the first episode of season one. She claims her ramblings were in reference to her Mary Hartman character, and that her manager had the episode canceled because of it.
Lorne Michaels Banned Two Episodes
The second episode, in which comedian Milton Berle appears, has been banned. The former vaudevillian made racist jokes, referred to everyone with derogatory terms, and then got a standing ovation for it all on his own accord.
Male Writers Peed in Jars
One of Liz Lemon’s writers is peeing in bottles on 30 Rock in the sixth episode of its fourth season, which Tina Fey’s show is known for. Unfortunately, she was subjected to this particularly unpleasant behavior while working at SNL.
Male Writers Peed In Jars
In fact, the male writers relied on jars to relieve themselves, even though the bathrooms were right next door to their writing room. Fey continued, saying, “judging by its consistency, I suspect that the writers sometimes spat into it. Or that one of them was terribly ill.”
Adrien Brody is Banned
Adrien Brody, an American actor, and producer, was another celebrity who managed to get himself banned from hosting Saturday Night Live. One year after his Oscar-nominated performance in The Pianist, he hosted the show.
Adrien Brody Is Banned
Adrien Brody’s dreadlock wig was a complete mystery when he took the SNL stage. The celebrity introduced the night’s musical guest, Jamaican rapper Sean Paul, in a Jamaican accent. A dissatisfied Lorne Michaels issued a ban on the actor from returning.
Larry David Heckled Michael McKean
During the first season of SNL, Larry David was unable to get along with anyone. It’s well-known that the writer left and then returned because he was upset that his sketches weren’t airing. During a live shoot, David once taunted actor Michael McKean (pictured) backstage.
Larry David Heckled Michael McKean
Even though Larry David’s time on Saturday Night Live was less than stellar, he did get to meet Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Later on, he cast the actress on Seinfeld, for which she won an Emmy Award for her performance. She’s now up to eight!
Eddie Murphy Raged at David Spade
It was Eddie Murphy in the early ’80s who was the biggest name on Saturday Night Live. To make matters worse, he was the tyke. Murphy quit the sketch show in 1984 to focus on his acting career. If you’ve seen any of his commercials, you’ll know that he has a worldwide following.
Eddie Murphy Raged At David Spade
David Spade, an SNL cast member, made a joke about Murphy when his career was stagnant in the 1990s. There is speculation as to why Murphy didn’t return for several years after this incident.
Fred Armisen Married Elisabeth Moss
In our opinion, Fred Armisen has a bad vibe about him. Perhaps it’s because we’ve been privy to his past romantic relationships. His ex-girlfriend has referred to him as “sociopathic” in the past.
Fred Armisen Married Elisabeth Moss
He first saw Elisabeth Moss on Saturday Night Live in 2008. Despite their vows, the couple had little time together after their wedding. It was “extremely traumatic and awful and horrible,” Moss said of their marriage. She remarked, “He’s so great at doing impersonations. But the greatest impersonation he does is that of a normal person.”
Andrew Dice Clay Was Unwanted
Andrew Dice Clay, better known as The Diceman, is a racist and misogynistic comedian. The media went into overdrive when he was booked to host SNL in 1990. Member of the cast Nora Dunne made it clear right away that she would not be performing. It’s unfortunate that she wasn’t backed by her colleagues.
Andrew Dice Clay Was Unwanted
Sinéad O’Connor, who had not yet been banned, was the musical guest that week, and she also refused to perform. Indeed, the comedian was heckled by the audience as he took the stage. For the sake of public safety, NBC demanded a delay.
Molly Shannon Bruised Herself
From 1995 to 2001, Molly Shannon was a cast member of SNL. An unpopular Catholic school girl named Mary Katherine Gallagher was one of the show’s stars’ characters. Because she dislikes “perfect girls” in television shows, Shannon crafted the character to be moody and awkward.
Molly Shannon Bruised Herself
Molly Shannon threw herself around on stage as Mary Katherine Gallagher in real life. She remarked, “I’d get bruised and cut up, but because of the adrenaline, I never felt it until Sunday.”
Nobody Liked Steven Seagal
During Steven Seagal’s SNL appearance in 1991, Lorne Michaels called him “the worst host ever.” The actor pitched a sketch about sexually assaulting women, which is particularly disturbing in light of the numerous allegations leveled against him. It wasn’t just actors and crew that he was mean to, either.
Nobody Liked Steven Seagal
As he hosted the season 18 premiere in 1992, Nicolas Cage said that he was “the biggest jerk who’s ever been on the show.” Lorne Michaels yelled out, “No, No, That would be Steven Seagal.”
Eddie Murphy Annoyed the Cast
The first cast member to host and perform on the same episode of Saturday Night Live was Eddie Murphy back in the 1980s. What’s the reason behind this? Co-star Nick Nolte had to bail after a wild night the night before.
Eddie Murphy Annoyed The Cast
The Eddie Murphy Show is life from New York, as Murphy declared at the conclusion of his opening monologue. This was not everyone’s cup of tea. Everyone else on set seemed irritated by the young star’s conceit.
Chris Kattan is Permanently Injured
It has been revealed that Chris Kattan had some run-ins with SNL co-star Norm McDonald during his time on the show. A “stunt thing” prompted him to leave the show, according to the actor and comedian.
Chris Kattan Is Permanently Injured
Chris Kattan broke his neck by hurling himself back into a chair during a stunt. According to reports, the star has undergone multiple surgeries to deal with the pain and refuses to discuss the accident. NBC helped cover the costs of some of his procedures.
Kristen Stewart’s On-Screen Slip
Saturday Night Live hosting is a nerve-wracking experience, without a doubt. We can’t completely blame Kristen Stewart for uttering the F-bomb. After all, she is only human. There was a lot of excitement in the air when the star realized that her opening monologue had gone without any hitches!
Kristen Stewart’s On Screen Slip
Stewart claims this, “I felt so bad about it. I just came offstage apologizing profusely […] They were really nice about it.” Lorne Michaels must have forgiven her because she hosted SNL a second time in 2019.
Conan O’Brien Didn’t Believe in Wayne’s World
Conan O’Brien was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1988 to 1991, for those who are unaware. According to digital media firm LittleThings, Conan was not on board when Mike Myers came up with the idea for a “Wayne’s World” sketch because he didn’t think it would be funny.
Conan O’Brien Didn’t Believe In Wayne’s World
We all know that the sketch was only on the air for a short period of time, but it became extremely popular, to the point where it was made into a feature film.
Will Ferrel’s Agenda
Will Ferrell’s goal in “The Love-ahs” was to keep Fallon off balance and make him laugh. As a matter of fact, Ferrell stated that he was aiming to make Fallon laugh when he created the skit. Even though he tried everything he could think of to make Fallon laugh and be distracted, the plan worked flawlessly.
Will Ferrel’s Agenda
Additionally, he brought it up on The Tonight Show, admitting that he’d do anything to get Fallon to break character during the live broadcast by switching things up. Because Lorne Michaels and the writers didn’t like Fallon breaking character, he said he was in hot water.
How Sketches Are Chosen
Have you ever wondered what it takes to put together a single episode of Saturday Night Live? Writers and cast members get together on Mondays to pitch jokes and brainstorm ideas. Tuesdays are reserved for writing. Then, on Wednesdays, everyone gathers to read the sketches aloud.
How Sketches Are Chosen
Thursdays are dedicated to the construction of the sets. Fridays are reserved for rewrites and rehearsals. The most difficult aspect of this process is that only about eight sketches are chosen for each episode, out of a total of 40 to 50.
Kanye West Threw a Fit
Kanye West is well-known for being a controversial and outspoken figure. We think it goes without saying that no one expects T-Swift to be super well-behaved at this point, after infamously bombarding him at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and tweeting a series of allegations against the Kardashian family.
Kanye West Threw A Fit
West allegedly screamed at a stagehand and everyone else in the vicinity for moving an item of his set on the show when he appeared in 2016, which may come as a surprise to some.
“Live From New York, It’s Saturday Night!”
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” at the end of the opening monologue or sketch is one of the most memorable moments for SNL fans and viewers alike. In any case, have you ever wondered why no one exclaims, “It’s Saturday Night Live!”
“Live From New York, It’s Saturday Night!”
Because, you know, it’s the show’s title. As it turns out, Saturday Night Live was running on ABC at the time of the sketch show’s debut. The word “live” was dropped from the title to avoid legal complications.
Leslie Jones Was Traumatized
To their credit, the cast of Saturday Night Live is remarkably composed on stage. Leslie Jones, for example, is a good example. When James Franco hosted the show in 2017, she appeared in the “Gift Wrap” sketch with him.
Leslie Jones Was Traumatized
Unfortunately, a lot of fake blood ended up in Jones’ mouth during the performance. In her opinion, this is how she feels about it “Some blood went in my mouth and then I threw up in my mouth, and I had to swallow it so I wouldn’t throw up on national […] TV!”
Emma Stone Met Her Hubby
Nothing beats witnessing two people fall head over heels in love. So when we learned that Emma Stone and Dave McCary met on the set of Saturday Night Live in 2016 when she hosted, we were ecstatic.
Emma Stone Met Her Hubby
From 2013 to 2019, McCary worked as a segment director on the show. When he and Stone first met, sparks flew, but they kept their relationship a secret for a long time. McCary proposed to the actress in 2019 at NBC’s Manhattan headquarters, where they first met. They are now married and have a daughter!
Aidy Bryant’s Wardrobe Mishap
It’s undeniably amusing for SNL fans to see cast members break character. Aidy Bryant usually maintains her composure, but that was not the case during the “Inside the Beltway” skit. The sketch, you see, necessitated a few lightning-quick wardrobe changes.
Aidy Bryant’s Wardrobe Mishap
Aidy’s stylist arrived on set a little too early for the final outfit change, and everything fell apart. Afterwards, Aidy found it difficult to maintain a straight face. However, according to Bryant herself, it was the worst character break she had ever had to deal with on-air.
Jason Sudeikis’ Abrupt Exit
Given that SNL has been on the air since 1975, it comes as no surprise that the show has had its fair share of casting changes. Even so, when Jason Sudeikis announced his departure from the show, it was a topic of conversation for quite some time.
Jason Sudeikis’ Abrupt Exit
On top of that, he made the announcement of his departure from SNL while appearing on a taping of The Late Show With David Letterman, which surprised the cast and crew. Sudeikis’ departure follows that of Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers, all of whom announced their departures in the previous days.
Set Changes
Since Saturday Night Live is a live sketch show, many moving parts must work together to create a successful episode — props, costumes, and set changes are just a few examples of what must be considered.
Set Changes
How do they manage to change sets so quickly while the cameras are still rolling? Apparently, the crew has a minute and 42 seconds to change the stage during the opening credits! What a lot of pressure!
Out of Pocket
With SNL, some of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood have been discovered and nurtured in their early stages of development. However, even if you’re cast on the show, it does not guarantee that you’ll become a millionaire (although that would be nice).
Out Of Pocket
Even so, cast members are said to earn a good salary. SNL after-party drinks and food aren’t covered by the show, so employees have to pay out of their own pockets.
Debbie Downer
Her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live were part of the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler/Maya Rudolph/Jimmy Fallon generation of SNL. Most people remember Rachel from her role as Debbie Downer, who first appeared in the 29th season of the show.
Debbie Downer
The character was born while Dratch was on vacation in Costa Rica, she claims. Dratch is said to have been inspired by a woman at her table who made a depressing remark. As a result, we have our first character!
On a Dare
Will Ferrell wore the same outfit for the entire season of Saturday Night Live. Wrangler jeans, a plaid button-down shirt, a puffy vest, and a trucker hat were all part of this ensemble. As a parody of “Smokey and the Bandit,” Ferrell wore the absurd ensemble nonstop for two days straight.
On A Dare
A show writer had challenged him to wear it through the season, which was November at the time. Ferrell agreed, and he wore the costume to work every day until the season ended (in May). That’s a total of six months!
Prank Calls to Seth Meyers
The fact that Seth worked long hours as one of the show’s heads writers did not stop his co-stars from surprising him with impromptu midnight wake-up calls for a laugh. Fred Armisen used to make prank calls to Meyers at 4 a.m., pretending to be from a radio show.
Prank Calls To Seth Meyers
Fred’s favorite joke to play on Seth was to call him up and pretend that he was being interviewed by a radio show, then act as if he gave Seth’s phone number to the host of the show.
John Mulaney’s SNL Camera Debut
In 2008, John Mulaney, a writer, and comedian joined the show as a writer. He made his SNL camera debut the following year. Mulaney plays a clapboard operator in the sketch.
John Mulaney’s SNL Camera Debut
He was able to finish his first line without any problems. They high-fived a lot when Bobby Moynihan was waiting for Mulaney when he walked off camera, so much so that the actor missed his second cue!
A Night to Remember
The SNL writers threw a wild party prior to the Season 27 finale. By sliding across the table, Jimmy Fallon set the tone for the event. Eventually, others got in on the action.
A Night To Remember
Someone had to watch over the table at the other end of the table to make sure no one went flying out the 17th-story window because they built their sleds from pizza boxes, according to reports. A towel of vomit was found outside Carson Daly’s office by Horatio Sanz. Sheesh.
The Paris Hilton Bet
There was a wager placed during the show’s hosting by Paris Hilton. Several cast members were convinced that she would not ask them any questions because she was rumored to be completely self-absorbed.
The Paris Hilton Bet
Seth Meyers made a bet with the rest of the cast that she wouldn’t show interest in anyone else, and he would give a thousand dollars to the first person she did. When Hilton asked if she was Italian, Maya Rudolph came the closest, but no one got the money.
Will Ferrell Punched Ellen Degeneres
A promotional appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show was made by Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, who have both appeared on Saturday Night Live, in order to promote a film.
Will Ferrell Punched Ellen Degeneres
The three discussed a 2001 sketch in which Ferrell and DeGeneres portrayed disapproving parents to Seth Meyers’ new girlfriend (Poehler), which is when the accidental punch occurred. Ferrell offered Ellen boxing gear as an expression of his sincere apologies to Ellen.
Cheri Oteri’s Stomach Troubles
The night before Cheri Oteri’s SNL audition, she had a terrible stomach illness. The next day, she showed up at the studio looking and feeling so bad that the makeup artist had to inquire as to what had happened. With Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell, Oteri went to a well-known Italian restaurant the night before her audition.
Cheri Oteri’s Stomach Troubles
Unfortunately, she ended up being wide awake for the rest of the night due to food poisoning. She claimed in an interview that she appeared to have been in a car accident. Despite this, she was hired! It appeared that he had been involved in a car accident.
Rachel Dratch’s Back Injury
Dratch spent the rest of the rehearsal lying on the floor under the table, shouting her lines to an audience of more than 100 people after injuring her back during a read-through.
Rachel Dratch’s Back Injury
As for Amy Poehler, she thinks Dratch was a total champ. It was Knoxville, who was hosting at the time, who offered her some loose pills from his pocket to help her.
Kate McKinnon Punched a Hole
Every once in a while Kate McKinnon would break their office walls open with a hammer while Aidy Bryant was away from her desk doing her work. McKinnon had heard that the SNL headquarters were undergoing renovations and that all of the walls and furniture would be demolished.
Kate McKinnon Punched A Hole
In the wake of this, McKinnon decided to savor the moment. For Bryant’s friend, the bad news was that the walls weren’t going to be demolished, but rather painted over. Oh, my goodness.
A Candidate Didn’t Give the All-Clear
According to reports, a planned episode of the popular television show Lorne Michaels was canceled after one of the presidential candidates expressed concern that the episode would be too politically sensitive.
A Candidate Didn’t Give The All Clear
There was a lot of backlash against the “TV Funhouse” sketch among the show’s creators and staffers. Due to the candidate’s scheduled cameo appearance in the cold open, Michaels decided to let the sketch pass.
Will Ferrell Brought Counterfeit Money
Prior to his callback, Will Ferrell had a face-to-face meeting with Lorne Michaels, which prompted him to arrive with a briefcase full of fictitious money in order to play a practical joke on the show’s creator.
Will Ferrell Brought Counterfeit Money
By throwing fake money on Michael’s desk and saying something like, “Take the money and put me on the show,” Ferrell’s idea was to get on the show. Ferrell’s brilliant plan had to be scrapped because the meeting’s atmosphere was far less laid-back than he had anticipated.
Jeff Goldblum Was Very Confused
As we all know, things don’t always go according to plan when it comes to improvised shows like Saturday Night Live. Isn’t ironic how often bad skits turn out to be the best-received ones of the night.
Jeff Goldblum Was Very Confused
Will Ferrell’s Harry Caray improvisations in “Space, the Infinite Frontier: Dr. Kent Wahler” made Jeff Goldblum smile as he sat in the audience. This skit has remained one of the most well-known in history to this day, and for good reason.
Jim Carrey Got Shot Down
The end of Jim Carrey’s opening monologue was unexpected, and not at all how he had rehearsed. However, the lady turned him down during his speech. Initially, it wasn’t meant to be this way. All of the rehearsals and practice runs ended with the girl accompanying him.
Jim Carrey Got Shot Down
We’re not sure why everyone assumed she’d say yes, given that she wasn’t an actress or paid performer. As it turned out, Jim Carrey was able to improvise and bring someone else on stage. Every member of the crew sighed with relief.
Bill Hader Didn’t like Justin Bieber
In 2018, Andy Cohen quizzed SNL alums Bill Hader and Jay Pharoah about their worst hosts. “We both know, dog,” Pharoah said right away. “Yeah,” Bill Hader chimed in: “It was Bieber.”
Bill Hader Didn’t Like Justin Bieber
Hader had said the same thing four years earlier. Then he added, “I really didn’t enjoy having Justin Bieber around. He’s the only one who lived up to the reputation. I think that’s the only time I felt that way in eight years.”
Don Pardo Tried to Retire
Don Pardo was an NBC announcer for more than half a century. Beginning with the first season in 1975, he served as the show’s announcer. In both 2004 and 2009, Pardo announced his retirement from this position.
Don Pardo Tried To Retire
He was persuaded to return on two separate occasions. Once he arrived in New York, the announcer flew from Arizona to record. After that, he started recording at home in 2010. At the age of 96, he died while still working as an announcer for SNL.
Will Ferrell Was the Highest Paid
A cast member’s salary on Saturday Night Live varies according to how long they have been on the show. Generally speaking, new performers make less money. As of the second season in 1975, cast members were paid $2000 per episode.
Will Ferrell Was The Highest Paid
A new cast member in the 1990s could earn an additional $1500 by writing a sketch that aired on the show, which was $5000 for the first year. He earned $350,000 for one season in 2001; he was the highest-paid cast member of all time.
Adam Sandler Was Bitter
Adam Sandler, 28, was fired from Saturday Night Live along with Chris Farley after five years. As a result of the star’s blindness, he or she refused to return for a long time.
Adam Sandler Was Bitter
Upon his return in 2019, he performed the song “I Was Fired” as his theme song. As a whole, the song was, “I was fired, I was fired. NBC said that I was done. Then, I made over four billion dollars at the box office, so I guess you could say I won.”
Bill Murray Confronted Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase is back in the spotlight as we wrap up our list of SNL tidbits. When he returned to host the show in the 1990s, the actor was well-known for his abuse of the show’s staff.
Bill Murray Confronted Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase also got into a fight with Bill Murray, the actor who will replace him in Season 2. An hour before the live show, Murray got into a fight with Chase, who later found him in John Belushi’s dressing room. The comedians split up because of Belushi’s antics.