Several “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) cast members and writers have openly discussed their struggles with the show’s high-pressure environment, creative constraints, or personal dissatisfaction during their tenure. Below is a detailed look at notable SNL stars who expressed discontent with their experience, based on recent reports and interviews, particularly from sources like BuzzFeed and E! Online published in 2025.
1. Ben Stiller (1989, Less Than a Season)
- Experience: Ben Stiller joined SNL as a featured performer in 1989 but left after just four episodes. He described the experience as overwhelming, citing his discomfort with live performing. On The Interview podcast in January 2025, Stiller explained, “I got too nervous. I didn’t enjoy it, and I wanted to be making short films.” He admitted that while being on SNL was a childhood dream, he struggled with the live format and felt he “wasn’t great” at it. His decision to leave was driven by a desire to pursue projects like The Ben Stiller Show on MTV.
- Aftermath: Stiller’s brief stint didn’t hinder his career; he became a major movie star and director, known for films like Zoolander and Severance.
2. Tracy Morgan (1996–2003)
- Experience: In the SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night docuseries, Tracy Morgan revealed feeling isolated as one of the few Black cast members, stating, “To be on the whitest show in America, I felt by myself.” He struggled with the show’s environment and felt his humor wasn’t fully understood until he took his concerns to Lorne Michaels. Michaels reassured him, saying, “I hired you because you’re funny, not because you’re Black. So just do your thing.” This encouragement helped Morgan find his footing, leading to memorable sketches.
- Aftermath: Morgan became a comedy icon, starring in 30 Rock and other projects, proving his comedic prowess beyond SNL.
3. Conan O’Brien (Writer, 1988–1991)
- Experience: Conan O’Brien, a writer on SNL before becoming a late-night host, described his time on the show as overly intense. On his podcast in 2024, he admitted, “I was way too intense, and I think I robbed myself of some fun that I could have had.” The grueling pace left him “burnt out,” prompting his departure. He reflected that he could have stayed longer if he hadn’t made the experience such a grind.
- Aftermath: O’Brien went on to host Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Conan, becoming a beloved figure in comedy.
4. Damon Wayans (1985–1986)
- Experience: Damon Wayans, a cast member in the 1985–86 season, felt frustrated by being typecast in stereotypical Black roles. In the SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night docuseries, he recalled Eddie Murphy’s advice: “Write your own sketches. Otherwise, they’re gonna give you some Black people shit to do, and you ain’t gonna like it.” Wayans’ pitches were often rejected, leading to a breaking point where he went off-script during a live “Mr. Monopoly” sketch, deliberately sabotaging it to get fired. “I just did not care,” he said. He was dismissed immediately but later reconciled with Lorne Michaels.
- Aftermath: Wayans co-created In Living Color and hosted SNL in 1995, achieving success in film and television.
5. Casey Wilson (2008–2009)
- Experience: Casey Wilson, a cast member for two seasons, described her SNL tenure as “utter madness” in her 2021 book, The Wreckage of My Presence. She began taking antidepressants to cope, hitting “rock bottom.” When not asked to return for a third season, she felt “a rush of relief” despite the sadness, as the show’s intense environment wasn’t conducive to her mental health.
- Aftermath: Wilson found success in shows like Happy Endings and Marry Me, and as a bestselling author.
6. Robert Downey Jr. (1985–1986)
- Experience: Robert Downey Jr., part of the 1985–86 cast at age 20, was fired after one season during a major cast overhaul due to poor ratings. In 2019, he reflected, “I learned so much in that year of who I wasn’t. I was not going to come up with a catchphrase.” He admitted to being “ill-suited” for SNL’s rapid-fire sketch comedy, lacking improv experience.
- Aftermath: Downey became a global star, notably as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and hosted SNL in 1996.
7. Jenny Slate (2009–2010)
- Experience: Jenny Slate’s single season on SNL was marked by a high-profile incident where she accidentally swore on live TV. She described the experience as “very intense” and “really disappointing” on Off Camera with Sam Jones in 2017, feeling uncomfortable in the risk-averse environment. “I was not suited to the environment, I didn’t like it,” she said, noting her humiliation after being fired via email. The experience led to stage fright, temporarily halting her stand-up career.
- Aftermath: Slate rebounded with roles in Parks and Recreation and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, becoming a respected comedian and actress.
8. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1982–1985)
- Experience: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a cast member for three years, admitted to E! Online that she “didn’t love” her SNL experience. Joining while still in college, she found the environment challenging, particularly as part of a cast that included her then-husband, Brad Hall. The pressure and lack of creative control were difficult for the young actress.
- Aftermath: Louis-Dreyfus became a comedy legend with roles in Seinfeld and Veep, and was the first female SNL alum to host the show in 2006.
9. Larry David (Writer, 1984–1985)
- Experience: Larry David, a writer during the 1984–85 season, described his time on SNL as “miserable” and one of the worst experiences of his life. Only one of his sketches made it to air, in the final episode of the season, due to the competitive and cutthroat writing room. He felt his comedic style didn’t mesh with the show’s demands.
- Aftermath: David co-created Seinfeld and starred in Curb Your Enthusiasm, becoming one of the most influential figures in comedy.
10. Sarah Silverman (1993–1994)
- Experience: Sarah Silverman, a featured player in the 1993–94 season, was fired after 18 weeks, with none of her sketches making it to air (one reached dress rehearsal). She described the SNL atmosphere as “cutthroat” to HowStuffWorks, noting that the experience made her apprehensive about show business. Her only notable appearance was a Weekend Update segment reporting on her own pap smear.
- Aftermath: Silverman became a successful stand-up comedian and actress, starring in The Sarah Silverman Program and hosting I Love You, America.
Common Themes and Context
The experiences of these SNL alumni highlight recurring challenges:
- High-Pressure Environment: The show’s intense pace, live format, and competitive writing room often overwhelmed cast members and writers, as seen with O’Brien, Wilson, and David.
- Creative Constraints: Performers like Wayans and Morgan felt limited by typecasting or a lack of creative freedom, particularly for minority cast members in a predominantly white show.
- Misfit with Format: Stiller, Downey, and Silverman struggled with the rapid-fire sketch comedy and live performance demands, lacking improv backgrounds.
- Mental Health Impact: Wilson and Slate spoke candidly about the toll on their mental health, with the former needing antidepressants and the latter developing stage fright.
Despite these struggles, many went on to achieve significant success, suggesting that SNL’s demanding environment, while not for everyone, often served as a crucible for talent. The show’s history of firing cast members, as seen with Downey, Wayans, and Slate, also reflects its high-stakes nature, where even future stars faced rejection.
Local Context
In Kansas City, Kansas, where recent news has focused on the tragic death of Police Officer Hunter Simoncic on August 26, 2025, the experiences of SNL stars have not been a major local topic. However, the national conversation around SNL’s 50th season, including the SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night docuseries, has sparked renewed interest in its history, with posts on X noting the show’s impact on comedy despite its challenges for some performers.
This article has been reviewed for grammar and clarity to ensure accuracy and readability for a U.S. audience.