Sarah Silverman on Being SNL Cast Member: You Feel Like a Piece of Sh-t

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 2:37 pm

Sarah Silverman Reveals SNL Trauma: "You Feel Like a Piece of Sh-t"

Comedian Sarah Silverman recently opened up about her challenging experience as a cast member on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL), revealing the intense pressure and self-doubt she faced during her brief tenure. Speaking at an event honoring Conan O'Brien, who she credits with helping her career after her firing, Silverman described the environment at SNL as "magical" but also incredibly stressful, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

Silverman, who was on the show for only one season (1993-1994), shared her candid thoughts in an interview with Howard Stern. She explained that the atmosphere at SNL made her feel "terrified" and like a "piece of sh-t." She referenced Andy Samberg's song about SNL cast members' anxiety, highlighting how many people connected with the sentiment. Silverman admitted she was "totally thrown for a loop" when she was fired, as she hadn't considered it a possibility.

Fortunately, O'Brien's support proved crucial to her career. Silverman credits O'Brien, whose talk show *Late Night With Conan O'Brien* was just beginning when she was fired, for giving her a platform. She was a frequent guest on his show, which helped her gain exposure and launch her career. Silverman acknowledged that her time on SNL, despite its difficulties, served as an "incredible boot-camp experience."

Silverman's career has since flourished. She even hosted SNL in 2014, two decades after her dismissal, and was later impersonated on the show. The news comes as SNL prepares for its season finale, hosted by Scarlett Johansson with musical guest Bad Bunny.

Tags: Sarah Silverman, SNL, Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, Late Night With Conan O'Brien, comedy, comedian, firing, anxiety, pressure, cast member, Howard Stern, Andy Samberg, Scarlett Johansson, Bad Bunny, season finale, Mark Twain Prize, Melissa Villaseor

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