Although the series looks more like four autonomous documentaries instead of a coherent unit – one of which is entirely dedicated to the “More Cowbell” sketch – it is always filled with many moments behind the scenes:
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When you audition for Saturday Night LiveYou only have five minutes to show them what you can do.
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… Except for Keenan Thompson – he made more than 10 minutes.
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Andy Samberg was so nervous during his first hearing that he vomited.
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Often, when an artist was recalled for a second hearing or a screen test, he was asked to find a completely new material.
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Many characters that the actors have heard as subsequent appearances SnlLike the aunt of Kristen Wigg, Linda and Target Lady, and the NPR host of Ana Gasteyer.
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There are many stars over the years that have interviewed for the show, but were not distributed, like Jennifer Coolidge, Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Jordan Peele, Stephen Colbert and Donald Glover.
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There is also a long story of comedians auditioning and then hired instead as a writer, like Bowen Yang and John Mulaney.
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Throughout its years, the show hired many people thanks to distribution and writer recommendations. Andy Samberg was recommended by Jimmy Fallon, George Wendt called about Jason Sudeikis, and Gwyneth Paltrow Delured about Maya Rudolph.
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When Will Ferrell joined the cast in 2000, there was a criticism that called him the “new most annoying coming”. Ferrell made a sign that he was hung on the door of his office which said “the new most annoying coming” and commented: “If you think I’m boring now, wait, I’m going to be so boring.”
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Once you are hired, you have the impression that you always audition because you need to get your sketches in the air. Each week, 30 to 40 sketches are written and submitted, but only a small fraction is really chosen.
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On Monday, before each new program, the writer’s room receives information on this week’s host, as well as what they can do (sing or dance) or on the subjects they want to stay away. Writers then adapt their sketches to this specific host.
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On Wednesdays, they make their large table to read, where about 40 sketches are read aloud. Later in the evening, around 10 p.m., Lorne lets them know which sketches of 8 to 12 were chosen.
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Some departments will spend hours or days on specific accessories, costumes or special effects for a sketch only to discover that the sketch was cut for an hour before being on the air.
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The Thursdays are intended for rewritings, then, come on Friday, whole sets are built and installed on the stages of each sketch.
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There is a scene on the set called “Shitcan Alley” and “Conot Corner” because it is the scene furthest from the public, where the sketches “Die”. Two sketches that went alive from this stage are “More Cowbell” by Will Ferrell and “Wayne’s World”.
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During the general rehearsal on Saturday, just before the real show, the writers of each sketch will sit under the stands with Lorne, where he looks at rehearsal. Then Lorne, Steve Higgins, the host and the producers go upstairs to the Lorne office and they choose the final sketches for the show.
You can currently broadcast SNL50: beyond Saturday evening On Peacock.