Secrets from the Set of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a comedic institution. It’s been an on-air staple since 1975. For over 46 years America’s top-rated sketch comedy show has been a weekend mainstay for millions. Even though the cast changes regularly, some fan favorites can stay on for seasons upon seasons. The ridiculous amount of creativity and viral moments has made SNL a show that will never go out of style. It’s hard to find a fan that doesn’t have multiple funny sketches and memories labeled as a personal favorite. For as many laughs and shocks that occur on-air, ten times the amount happen behind the camera! Throughout the years Saturday Night Live has been making history both in front of and behind the camera.
There’s no end to the level of detail and drama that goes into creating a one-of-a-kind show that stands the test of time.
It Requires A Quick Hand
One of the best parts of Saturday Night Live is that it lives up to its name. Nearly everything you see is done in real-time. The skits each get one take to make a lasting impression. Thanks to that requirement, things work on a tight schedule. To make everything flow the entire set stays in motion. This is why the cast intro feels so long.
As the cast is introduced on the screen the stage crew is working like battery-powered rabbits. The entire opening has to be deconstructed before the opening credits end. Usually, there are only a couple of seconds between the ending of the intro and the host’s opening monologue! Landing a joke and opening the show at the right time is key.
George Costanza Had The Right Idea
Seinfeld is considered one of the best sitcoms of all time. It’s literally a show about nothing. That’s probably why it resonated with so many people (and still does to this day). Larry David, one of the minds responsible for the show, was also part of the SNL writer’s room. “Was” is the keyword. After skits of his weren’t being chosen, David famously stormed out and quit.
After he thought about it he returned the following Monday like nothing ever happened. If that sounds like it was ripped off from George Costanza in Seinfeld you’re half right. It’s the other way around. David wrote the future George Costanza story based on his own experience with quitting and rehiring himself on Saturday Night Live!
Sometimes It Got Cramped
Being a comedian can be rough. The hours are late, the pay is nearly nonexistent, and the green rooms rarely exist. Whenever you’re lucky enough to get a broom closet or dressing room, you gotta take what you can get. You even have to be prepared to share with others in the line-up. By the time you get to television, you deserve a bit more. If your co-stars on a show get their room then you should too.
Someone should have really told producers that during Gilda Radner’s time on the show. It wasn’t uncommon for male comics to get private dressing rooms. The female cast members shared rooms! What nonsense is this? Not everything about the show used to be funny.
Interior Designers Hate This One Trick
One of the neat things about SNL is that each of the sketches feels like a mini-movie. There’s a cast, lighting, a script, and even a fully realized set. Even for short sketches, fully functional hot tubs and other complicated pieces are brought in. This helps create a great sense of realism and theatricality to the sketch show. It’s a pity they don’t know how to recycle.
Unlike most live performances, Saturday Night Live doesn’t save a lot of sets. Despite having nearly half a century of episodes, most of the rooms and environments are always fresh. Aside from a select few, things get broken down so quickly it’s hard to put them together again for a second go-around.
They Have Some Hot Wheels
Some of the skits on SNL are pretty elaborate. To create a scene the show has to get pretty good at dressing a set. The more believable the scene, the funnier and easier it is for the audience. To do that, some jokes may require an automobile (or two). This isn’t fancy television magic. Saturday Night Live uses real cars whenever they can.
To do that they have to go out and buy one from the streets of New York. Once they secure the ride they have to get it upstairs. That’s not a problem for these pros. All they do is saw the vehicle in half! That way it’s easier to fit the car inside the elevator. We’re 100% not joking.
Richard Pryor Changed Television Forever
One of the neat things about Saturday Night Live is that it used to live up to its name. Everything on the screen was broadcast in real-time. That way the audience in the studio and the one at home saw the same thing. All of that changed when comedic legend Richard Pryor hosted on December 13, 1975. For anyone that hasn’t seen Pryor perform please go watch some clips. He’s one of the hallmarks of a fantastic stand-up comedian.
That doesn’t mean he was ready for the possibility of families watching a sketch comedy show together. Since Pryor had some controversial jokes, a delay was eventually established for viewers. Now there’s a five-second pause between what happens on the stage and what we all see on tv. That way the show has time to catch any jokes that may get flagged.
SNL Has No Time For Ageism
Saturday Night Live has had no shortage of incredible hosts. Some of the best surprises come from whoever’s chosen to host that week. A lot of the time the show knows who they’re going to book in advance. Other times the fans take control and let the producers know who they want. One of the most highly requested hosts was Betty White! You know her as Rose from Golden Girls.
It was a massive deal when she hosted in 2010. Hundred upon thousands of devoted fans of the actress created a Facebook petition for her to host. You know what happened? Everyone got their way. We all got to see Betty White Host and she received the honor of being the show’s eldest host!
Things Got Violent At Times
A lot of physical comedy takes place in SNL skits. Furniture gets broken, food is thrown, actors are assaulted, it all comes with the territory. When one of SNL’s greatest cast members, Will Ferrell, was in a scene he devoted his whole self to it. There were no rules or expectations when he entered the set. Everyone just went along with his lead. Sometimes his excitement got the best of him.
When Ellen Degeneres shared an episode with Ferrell she got a bit more than she bargained for. A fake punch turned into an actual hit! Like true pros, they both went on with the scene. Once Degeneres was fine he felt like he should apologize. As a means of apology, he sent her protective headgear!
HR Isn’t Very Personable over There
Speaking of Silverman, sometimes lightning strikes twice. She’s fine, she wasn’t struck by lightning. Her unforgettable stabbing of a coworker (an act of humor and love) was probably fresh on some people’s minds. Something bizarre deserved a bizarre response. How do you tell someone they’re losing their job because of an incident like that? Normally HR would sit you down and say that’s not okay.
When it came time to renew her contract, Sarah Silverman wasn’t sure what was going on. Then she received a fax from the network. That’s how she found out she wasn’t returning for another season! Who gets fired by fax? That’s like breaking up with someone on a Post-It.
Not All Hangovers Are Horrible
People get their shot at fame in a variety of ways. Sometimes an audition can go really well. Maybe they’re born with natural talent and know-how to market themselves well. Others just need to not be hungover. Eddie Murphy is often considered one of the most iconic members of the SNL cast. He also had one of the quickest rises from cast to host ever.
His movie co-star at the time, Nick Nolte, partied a bit too much the Friday before. He was so sick he couldn’t do the show! Even though Murphy was still on the cast, he was asked to host the show at the same time. This was the first time in the show’s history it ever happened!
It Can Be Neck-Breaking Work
Who here loves Mango? No, not the fruit, the dancer. If you were an SNL fan in the 90s then Mango was always in season. This over-the-top character came from the mind of the hilarious Chris Kattan. A lot of memorable performers on the SNL crew are known for their characters. Some impersonate a celebrity. Others create personas that are so wild people can’t help but never forget them. Mango was one of Kattans’ many shining moments.
Kattan is also well-known for his zany persona and comedic timing. It abruptly stopped after his eight-year run on the show ended in an injury. During a parody of the Golden Girls in 2001, Kattan threw himself onto the ground. After landing wrong he injured his neck and left the show later due to the event.
Late Night Jokes Never End
The bond between two people at the same company can be really special. Sometimes it spills over to the real world. If you like your colleagues enough they can become your best friends. It’s comforting to know that the Saturday Night Live cast members can experience that, too. To keep things interesting, people probably play jokes on each other all the time. Right?
When Bill Hader and fellow funnyman Fred Armisen needed a laugh they always had a go-to. They would call up their good pal and fellow coworker Seth Meyers. Sometimes they even called late into the night just to say hi or wake Meyers up. Besties!
She’s An Absolute Comedic Warrior
Having a back or appendage give out can be a bummer. It can turn even the most enthusiastic person into a sluggish Debbie Downer. The comedy royalty that makes up the SNL cast isn’t immune to the laws of nature. When something goes wrong they just have to roll with the punches. Sometimes they may even get hurt before the physical comedy even begins. During a table read Rachel Dratch experienced a bout of phantom physical comedy.
Her back gave out while she was going over lines! Instead of turning in for the day she just embraced the pain. Once she got comfortable she just kept going. The entire situation was so funny, the rest of the cast could hardly keep it together.
That Was A Ruff Moment
SNL burst out of the gate with a bang. That doesn’t mean there weren’t any rough spots along the way. It took a few years for the show to get on its feet. In its infancy, radical cast changes weren’t unheard of. In a world of ratings, you had to find people that could deliver the funny and the good numbers. Eddie Murphy was one of those people. That doesn’t mean he was immune to a pink slip.
He was almost a former cast member before his career even got off the ground. What saved him from getting the chop? According to an interview, it was his own brand of comedy. According to others, it was because he made people think he ate dog food live on national television.
How Bad Do You Have To Be?
Not everyone is good at being a team player. It’s also true that not everyone can handle a joke. What happens when you’re both? Well, you probably don’t want to host SNL. You have to be the exact opposite of those things to even have a shot. If you’re a mega-celebrity you may just be able to get away with it.
Or you’re Steven Segal. After hosting in 1991 both viewers and SNL castmates had a lot to say about his lackluster performance. He was so difficult to work with off-camera that the episode he hosted almost didn’t make it. To make sure something like that never happened again, Segal earned himself a lifetime ban from returning to the show.
Always Have A Plan B
Not all jokes land. It comes with the territory of being a comedian. You just have to be prepared for things to go awry. Thinking on your feet is an important skill for any comedian to have at the ready. The ability to immediately alter your set or situation to suit the audience is a sign of professionalism. If you can’t do that then what else do you do?
You could always drop a cow from the roof and hope for the best. Saturday Night Live is no stranger to weird punchlines and scenarios. Sometimes the most ridiculous outcomes can save a skit. In the early seasons when all else failed that’s what the producers relied upon! A stuffed cow would fall from the rafters in a last-ditch effort to make the audience laugh.
Not Just The Laughs Are Improvised
Many of the show’s golden moments take place during skits or backstage. Other times the weekly musical guests are the ones who shake things up. One such moment sent shockwaves throughout the world. In 1992 Sinead O’Connor was delivering a musical set during her time on SNL. At the end of her performance, she took out a picture of the then seated Pope and ripped it in half.
The singers stated it was a protest against current events. Despite enjoying artistic freedom, SNL received a whole bunch of letters. While the producers knew it may cause a stir, they didn’t realize a switch had occurred. The photo was supposed to be of a refugee child (and not ripped). Instead, O’Connor saw an opportunity to protest and announced it to the world live on-air.
Won’t You Respect Your Neighbor?
Some celebrities are untouchable. When you reach a certain level of notoriety your name alone can evoke an emotional response. If you’re not grinning or feeling your heart flutter at the mention of Mr. Rogers then we’re sorry your childhood was devoid of joy. Everyone has that one feel-good person and he is that for millions. But celebrity comes at a price.
Once you reach a level of fame the parodies can start rolling in. Everyone’s favorite neighbor wasn’t immune to SNL’s playful jabs. Even though he wasn’t a fan, he still appreciated Eddie Murphy’s rendition for what it was: harmless yet ridiculous fun (just not for kids).
Would Michael Scott Have Lasted Long?
A lot of stars grace the halls and stage of Saturday Night Live. It’s one of the reasons people keep turning in every week. It’s also the launchpad for others to reach new heights. Most viewers would be shocked to hear which of their favorite celebrities auditioned to be on the show. They’d probably be even more surprised to find out which were turned down.
For instance, before she ended up as a masseuse, Phoebe Bouffet tried to get a gig at SNL. Lisa Kudrow was unceremoniously rejected from the running. That didn’t stop her from having a ridiculously successful career along with her Friends. Not getting SNL may have been the best thing to happen to her career!
It’s Still A Work Environment
If you work hard you should play hard. Be safe but don’t be afraid to cut loose and have some fun. Not all office parties are a big blowout. Not all offices are SNL, either. The legendary writer’s room parties and wrap-up shindigs are pretty exclusive. Who wouldn’t want to party with the cast of the best sketch comedy show ever? What type of food do you think they serve?
You know what? It doesn’t matter. Everyone gets whatever they want…as long as they pay for it. Just because they’re stars doesn’t mean they don’t chip in when it comes time to let loose and cut a rug. With their paychecks it’s probably five-star dining all the way.
Keep Breaking Barriers, Tina Fey
One of the most successful modern-day cast members of Saturday Night Live is unquestionably Tina Fey. She’s a hilarious comedian, talented writer, and knows her way around producing excellent entertainment. She’s also a trailblazer. Comedy is already a tough industry. But there’s always been some misogyny going around. Fey didn’t seem to care about any of that.
She went on to become the first female head writer in the show’s entire history. It makes sense when you think about it. The female comedians hit it out of the park every single season! Under Fey’s eye, SNL delivered some of the most entertaining skits in the show’s run.
There’s A Ton Of Overtime Going On
To create Saturday Night Live you need several sketches. One or two isn’t going to cut it. If you keep count, you already know there are almost ten skits per episode. That may not sound like a lot. Are you a comedy writer? No? Okay, so sit down and get ready. What we see live is nothing compared to what isn’t picked up to air.
Out of the less than ten that make it to the stage, there can be upwards of forty that aren’t touched. Some weeks it’s over fifty! With so many writers throwing around ideas there’s a lot to sift through. It’s good to know there are always a few backups ready in case one sketch doesn’t sit well with the audience.
Workaholism Is Funnier Over There
The American mentality of loving your job can get out of hand. Some people take their careers and consider them their hobbies, too. Others spend way too long at the office. This is why taking time off is good. It helps you disconnect for a bit and recharge. Don’t say that to a workaholic. Their idea of a good time is staying late to see how much else they can get done. It’s the same in comedy.
In the early days of SNL, some people worked weird hours. Others even slept in the office occasionally. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi took things further. They wanted to be comfortable when they rested. They ended up having bunk beds set up in their office!
He’s Johnny Knoxville And You’re Watching SNL
Some shows will always stand the test of time. They can also help put an entire network on the map (or at least increase its popularity). What Saturday Night Live did for NBC, Jackass did for MTV. Tuning in each week to see what terrible stunts we should never try at home was a fun way to pass the time. The show seldom happened the way we know it today.
Johnny Knoxville was offered to do a stunt act weekly on SNL by THE Lorne Michaels. What an opportunity! Knoxville knew it was a big deal. He also knew that to get such a job he’d have to give up some creative control on what he presented. That didn’t stick the landing and he ended up staying on his own course towards fame and notoriety.
When Life Gives You Rejection
Has anyone reading this been to the basement of the Alamo? If you haven’t you should totally visit. It’s a great place to store a really cool bike if you have one! Don’t believe us? Just ask Pee-wee Herman. Before he had a big adventure, Paul Reubens (Pee-wee) had dreams of being an SNL cast member. He got pretty close. A friend of his, Gilbert Gottfried was supposed to help him achieve that dream.
Whatever happened during the audition caused Reubens’ plans to fall through. Once he got the rejection that disappointment helped fuel the creative fires for Reubens. He decided if he couldn’t get on a TV show then he’d make his own. Thus, The Pee-wee Herman Show would catapult the comedian to massive new heights, without the help of SNL.
Big Stars Land Big Blows
Saturday Night Live has produced many a mega-star. It’s also produced some divas. When you’re at the peak of comedy some egos may come into play. Everyone in the cast wants stage time. They also want to make a great impression. To get there, you have to hang out with your co-workers a lot. The week leading up to a new episode is intense. Everyone puts in a ridiculous number of hours. This can lead to some people getting a bit flustered.
Two of the show’s biggest heavy-hitters, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, took that frustration to a whole other level. Physical comedy is usually reserved for the camera. Take out the comedy and you have a couple of guys duking it out behind the sets. When the light went on they put on some smiles and did what they do best: entertain millions.
(Sketch) Comedy Brings Families Together
Some romances start at work. While an office love affair isn’t ideal for some, it can pay off in other ways. You just have to know how to read the room. With the huge turn-over SNL experiences weekly (new hosts, musical acts, sometimes even cast members) it can be tough making lasting connections. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Hollywood star Emma Stone realized this first-hand when she hosted an episode.
A segment producer on the show caught her eye. That lucky guy was comedian Dave McCary! Instead of the normal star-studded short romance, the two stayed together! Since 2016 they’ve been inseparable! In 2020 they got married and the year after welcomed their first kiddo to the world.
An Evening Of Live Theater
Saturday Night Live wasn’t always at the top of the television hill. Like any good show, it had to start somewhere. A lot of different moving parts have to work together to make sure things go off perfectly. That takes some trial and error. During the very first rehearsal a key component was missing: the audience. In the rush to get things ready for the first show, that small critical piece went unnoticed.
At the eleventh hour, the crew had to think fast. A blessing came in the form of a double-opportunity. Local citizens from the streets looking for some warmth and rest were invited inside the studio to watch the rehearsal! They got a show and the cast got a live audience to perform for.
Kelly Almost Got A Promotion
Do you know who Mindy Kaling is? No? First off, how dare you. Second, why not? You probably know her as Kelly from The Office. Not only is she a great actress, but she’s also a writer for the show! It was a pretty sweet deal. While The Office is big, SNL is a bit bigger. Kaling stated in an interview it was her dream to be associated with the show.
Unfortunately, her contract with The Office prevented her from finally accepting a job offer from the sketch show. It all worked out in the end. She eventually was invited again to be a guest writer. She also became a massively successful writer and actress. Sometimes it all works out in the end.
It Was Like Thunderdome Sometimes
Huge names come and go through Saturday Night Life. There’s a great chance your favorite comedian is somehow connected to the show. Sarah Silverman is one such icon. Even though she was never a multi-season cast member she helped influence the show. Some people are known for longevity. Others are known for events that will go down in the show’s history.
During her season, Silverman and former writer Al Franken had an interesting relationship. They seemed to be good friends. At the same time, Silverman stabbed him in the head. It wasn’t intentional. Well, the stabbing was, the pain wasn’t. According to Silverman, she wanted to stick a pencil through his hairdo. It ended up being his temple.