Brief Summary
This video features a conversation with former and current cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL), including Molly Shannon, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Kenan Thompson. They share personal anecdotes and insights about their experiences on the show, covering topics such as auditioning, the stress and camaraderie of live performances, the impact of political satire, and the emotional experience of leaving the show.
- The audition process is nerve-wracking, with cast members often overhearing competitors and feeling immense pressure.
- The table read is a unique experience where the funniest people take big swings, sometimes failing brilliantly, which is a valuable learning experience.
- Political satire on SNL is approached with the primary goal of comedy, but it also reflects the cast members' feelings and aims to provide comfort during difficult times.
- Leaving SNL is an emotional experience, with cast members often feeling a sense of loss but also recognizing the need to pass the baton to others.
Introduction
The video starts with a lighthearted introduction, with cast members expressing their initial confidence before joining SNL and then realizing the immense talent of their colleagues. They reminisce about their early experiences with the show, noting the evolution of the cast and the enduring appeal of SNL.
Early Experiences and Influences
Cast members share their early experiences watching SNL and how it influenced their career aspirations. Molly Shannon recalls memorizing lines from her favorite characters and being inspired by their wacky and amazing performances. Leslie Jones recounts taping the show with her brother and showing their favorite sketches to their parents.
Auditioning for SNL
The discussion shifts to the challenging audition process. Leslie Jones describes her cocky attitude during her audition and the initial disappointment of not getting the job. Kate McKinnon recounts spending her waitressing money to create a VHS tape, only to be passed over. She emphasizes the importance of live performance and eventually getting invited to audition after her live show was seen.
The Surreal Experience of Joining SNL
Cast members describe the surreal and stressful experience of joining SNL. Leslie Jones remembers the nerves and being enamored by 30 Rock. Molly Shannon talks about the relief of no longer having to cold call people to attend her shows and the luxury of having talented artisans create wigs, costumes, and props.
First Impressions and Camaraderie
Molly Shannon shares her first impressions of Seth Meyers and Colin Jost, humorously describing them as "beautiful white men." She also mentions how her friends noticed she stopped smelling like chicken after joining SNL, a reference to her previous one-woman show that involved carrying a rotisserie chicken.
Pre-Show Rituals and Nerves
The cast members discuss their pre-show rituals and how they cope with nerves. Molly Shannon mentions praying and having a bite of a pretzel. Kenan Thompson describes his opening song as a signal for showtime and a way to release his nerves by engaging with the audience.
The Live Show Experience
The conversation turns to the unique experience of performing live on SNL. Kenan Thompson emphasizes the importance of the connection between the performers and the audience. Molly Shannon recalls her anxiety about saying "Live from New York," often replacing it with "Live from Milwaukee" or "Live from Minneapolis."
Weekend Update and the Fear of Getting Fired
Colin Jost discusses the initial fear of delivering his first line on Weekend Update and the awareness of the live audience. Kenan Thompson notes that it takes about three to four years to overcome the fear of getting fired, but the pressure of presenting something new never really goes away.
The Table Read
The cast members highlight the table read as a unique and educational experience. Kenan Thompson describes it as a place where you see the funniest people fail, which is a valuable learning opportunity. Molly Shannon recalls a bombing experience with Martin Freeman, where her stewardess stand-up routine fell flat.
Bombing and Embracing Failure
Molly Shannon shares a story about a sketch with Will Ferrell where they played two people who lost 100 pounds and bombed on center stage. She emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and staying connected with her fellow performers.
Breaking Character and the Audience's Perspective
The discussion touches on the topic of breaking character and the audience's perspective. Kenan Thompson and Colin Jost would intentionally direct Molly Shannon to the wrong camera to make her laugh. The cast members agree that the audience is never wrong and that a sketch's success is only determined on Saturday night.
Dress Rehearsal vs. Live Show
The difference between the dress rehearsal and the live show is explored. Molly Shannon notes that she always did better at dress rehearsal, while Kenan Thompson gets nervous if the dress rehearsal audience is too good. The impact of a reduced audience during COVID-19 is also mentioned.
Creating Characters and Finding Freedom
Molly Shannon discusses creating the character Genie Dary, a terrible stand-up comedian, as a freeing exercise to make her peers laugh. She describes the character as a closeted lesbian doing straight comedy and getting no laughs.
The Role of Hosts
The cast members discuss the role of hosts and the different approaches they take. Kenan Thompson notes that some hosts come in prepared with a lot of ideas, while others give grace to the cast and let the room go around. He praises Melissa McCarthy for always coming in with heavy hitters.
Memorable Hosts and Moments
The conversation shifts to memorable hosts and moments on the show. Molly Shannon recalls working with Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, describing them as "super vets." Kenan Thompson mentions Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston as hosts who elevated every sketch. He also shares a story about Tom Hanks finding a new beat in a sketch at the last minute.
Molly Shannon's Iconic Characters
Kenan Thompson praises Molly Shannon's character Sally O'Malley, highlighting the audacity and joy of her performances. Molly Shannon reveals that the character is based on her father's limp after a terrible automobile accident.
Political Satire on SNL
The cast members discuss the role of political satire on SNL. Leslie Jones admits that she didn't know much about politics before joining the show. Kate McKinnon explains that her approach to political comedy is to think about the inner lives of the people she's portraying. She emphasizes that comedy has to be the first order of business, but it's also important to synthesize feelings in a way that makes people laugh.
Lauren Michaels' Influence and the Show's Heart
Kate McKinnon praises Lauren Michaels' ability to respond to tragic events with an underlying goodness and a desire to comfort people. She cites the example of the Ukrainian choir singing after the Russian invasion.
Leaving SNL
The cast members share their experiences of leaving SNL. Kate McKinnon explains that she wanted to leave at the right time, while she still loved the show. She also wanted a good ending, after experiencing an abrupt and traumatizing departure earlier in her career.
The Unique Continuity of SNL
Kenan Thompson reflects on the unique continuity of SNL, noting that it's rare to return for season after season and see the same people again. He emphasizes the love and respect he has for the show and the people involved. He jokes that he's not calling them to stay, but they keep calling him back.
