Behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live, the comedy institution known for launching careers, lies a relentless pressure cooker that has taken a significant toll on the mental and physical health of its brightest stars and dedicated writers.
For over five decades, Saturday Night Live has been a cultural touchstone, a comedic launching pad for countless iconic performers and writers. The allure of the live sketch comedy show, with its immediate feedback and unparalleled exposure, has drawn aspiring talents from around the world. However, beneath the roar of laughter and critical acclaim lies an environment famously described as a “comedy pressure cooker,” one that many former cast members and writers reveal can be overwhelmingly stressful, creatively stifling, and even detrimental to well-being.
The Relentless Grind: Long Hours, High Stakes
The weekly cycle of creating a live sketch comedy show, as depicted in films like Saturday Night and TV series such as 30 Rock, involves grueling hours in an atmosphere thick with stress, egos, and insecurities. Work that elicits roars of laughter one moment can be met with insufferable silence the next, creating an unpredictable and high-stakes environment.
Comedians often find themselves pushed into specific roles, or having their unique comedic voice “wrung out” by the show’s demanding machinery. Leslie Jones, a cast member from 2013 to 2019, told NPR, “they take that one thing, and they wring it… I was, like, a caricature of myself.” Similarly, Jay Pharoah, after six years on the show, explained his departure by noting how “they put people into boxes. And whatever they want you to do, they expect you to do.” He sought an environment where he felt more appreciated.
Even seasoned writers faced immense frustration. Larry David, who wrote for SNL’s 10th season in 1984, recalled at a Vanity Fair event that he was “getting increasingly frustrated” as his sketches, though funny at read-throughs, were constantly cut. He only had one sketch air the entire year.
The Psychological & Physical Price of Live Comedy
The intense atmosphere can take a severe toll on mental and physical health. Sarah Silverman, an SNL writer and cast member in the mid-90s, described the experience on Howard Stern‘s show, saying, “there is just something about it where they just have this energy that puts you in your place, where you feel like a piece of s***, and you’re terrified… the anxiety… it’s very hard to be zen and chill there.”
For some, the dream quickly turned into an ordeal. Michaela Watkins, after one season (2008-2009), felt as though she was “running a marathon, but the week I got there, they cut my achilles.” Her contract wasn’t renewed, leaving her feeling “delusional” despite her belief that things were going well.
The stress can be so profound that it leads to lasting psychological effects. Kyle Mooney, who worked on SNL from 2013 to 2022, revealed on the Fly on the Wall podcast that the show causes “PTSD.” Referencing fellow writer and producer Erik Kenward, Mooney stated, “there might be some sort of study about PTSD associated with people who worked at that show… It’s such an intense onslaught and like—it’s definitely not good for you.”
The relentless demand for fresh ideas takes a toll on even the most prolific minds. Bob Odenkirk, an SNL writer from 1987 to 1991, explained to Kelly Clarkson that by Christmas, after about 11 shows, writers are “exhausted” and have “nothing in [their] brain.”
One of the most candid accounts comes from Andy Samberg, who left after seven seasons in 2012 due to concerns for his “mental and physical health.” On Kevin Hart’s Hart to Heart series, Samberg confessed, “physically and emotionally, like I was falling apart in my life… I hadn’t slept in seven years basically.” The demanding schedule of writing, shooting, and editing digital shorts meant “four days a week you’re not sleeping, for seven years.”
Navigating the Inner Circle: Cliques and Competition
Beyond the personal toll, the social dynamics within SNL can be equally challenging. Zach Galifianakis, who had a brief writing stint, described the environment as “very cliquish,” making it “impossible” to fit in. He vividly recalled the silence in the room after one of his sketches bombed during a read-through, with Tina Fey offering a comforting hand on his shoulder.
More recently, former cast members Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, who both departed before Season 51, opened up on Nwodim’s podcast, Thanks Dad, about the challenges of sharing an intimate space under such pressure. While they forged a strong friendship, Nwodim admitted that such closeness “doesn’t have to work that way. It can make you not like each other.” Gardner added that despite their friendship, the competitive nature meant “there weren’t a lot of times we were able to succeed the way we wanted at the exact same time,” making SNL “not the easiest place to work.”
The Gauntlet of the Read-Through
The notorious Wednesday read-through stands as a pinnacle of SNL’s pressure. Tina Fey, reflecting on her time as a writer and cast member, called it “an incredibly nerve-wracking, intimidating experience.” She described the room, packed with writers, performers, producers, designers, and NBC legal, as a “tough room” where you “sweat from your spine out, you’re woozy, and you can feel your heartbeat in your mouth.”
Even those who excelled as writers found performing daunting. John Mulaney, after five years in the writers’ room, found hosting the show a terrifying “wake-up call.” He told NPR, “I always thought we [writers] had the harder job… I had no idea how hard this was,” highlighting the unique pressures faced by the performers.
The Enduring Dream vs. Personal Well-being
Despite the “unhealthy” aspects, SNL offers an undeniable platform and opportunity. Kyle Mooney noted that the show taught him he “could write something that I was okay with each week,” a profound discovery that pushed his capabilities. Andy Samberg, though “falling apart,” found it difficult to leave because of the intoxicating feeling that an idea in the shower could be on television in three days. He made the difficult choice to leave for his health, a decision the show preferred he wouldn’t make, as Entertainment Weekly reported.
For Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, their recent departures after SNL’s 50th season were driven by a desire to pursue new projects in film and television. While the decision to leave such a prestigious institution is never easy, it underscores a recurring theme among alumni: balancing a dream career with personal health and creative fulfillment is paramount.
The recent cast shake-up, also reported by AOL, saw other cast members and writers depart, signifying the constant evolution and demanding nature of the show. While SNL remains a dream for many, these candid revelations from its alumni paint a more complex picture, one where the pursuit of comedic excellence often comes at a significant personal cost.
