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SNL Stars React to Hilarious and Heartfelt Audition Tapes: Watch Comedians Poke Fun at Their Past Performances in New Docuseries

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Five minutes. That’s how long Saturday Night Live auditions last.

For the renowned sketch show marking its golden jubilee on February 16, the grueling selection process is well-known in its own right. Aspiring comedians and writers aiming for a spot on SNL put forth their finest humor, personas, and imitations to vie for fame.

In a recently released four-part documentary series titled “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night“, now streaming on Peacock, veteran SNL producers reveal the behind-the-scenes details of the auditioning process. The episode entitled “Five Minutes” showcases former SNL actors revisiting their audition videos and reminiscing about the preparations they undertook for that crucial moment.

I can’t help but burst out laughing as I watch Tracy Morgan become hysterical over his tape, featuring him playing a little boy named Biscuit in a rainbow beanie hat adorned with a propeller. Bobby Moynihan seems shocked at the sight of his younger self donning a rugby polo shirt and jeans, repeatedly slapping his backside. Bowen Yang emits a blood-curdling scream upon viewing footage of his younger self’s audition, where he pretended to be an actor auditioning to play the choking victim on posters scattered throughout restaurants.

In the special SNL 50, producer Lindsay Shookus points out that celebrity impersonations on SNL are effective when they introduce an unexpected twist. For instance, Bill Hader portrayed Al Pacino in a hysterical fit over a cantaloupe, while Kate McKinnon mimicked Penelope Cruz promoting a L’Oréal moisturizer sensuously around a chair. Furthermore, Kenan Thompson impressed producer Michael Shoemaker with his spot-on Bill Cosby impersonation and the distinctive way he pronounced Cosby’s wife Camille’s name.

Numerous comical elements showcased during auditions have become legendary Saturday Night Live skits, such as Kristen Wiig’s energetic portrayal of an overenthusiastic Target cashier and Ana Gasteyer’s silky voice as a radio host interviewing Alec Baldwin about his renowned Schweddy Balls recipe – ultimately securing her the part as a radio personality.

Without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary auditions occurred when Henry Zebrowski walked in, stark naked, cupping his hands around his private areas. Despite not landing the part that day, he’s since garnered numerous roles on television and in films throughout his career.

The producers share behind-the-scenes information about the selection process, explaining that some actors were already selected before their auditions even took place. As stated by producer Marci Klein in the series, Amy Poehler was essentially hired before her audition, making it more a formality. Aspiring cast members often found themselves invited for an audition through networking and word-of-mouth recommendations. According to “Five Minutes,” showrunner Lorne Michaels valued suggestions from existing cast members, writers, and other celebrities. Andy Samberg made it onto the show due to Jimmy Fallon’s recommendation, while Gwenyth Paltrow reached out to recommend Maya Rudolph.

Comedians who later became well-known, such as Jennifer Coolidge, Kevin Hart, and Mindy Kaling, were also part of the show but ultimately didn’t make the final cut. Even Stephen Colbert, in a moment of emotional relief, can be seen reacting passionately to his old audition tape for the show, exclaiming, “It doesn’t matter that I wasn’t on Saturday Night Live!

Not every successful audition guaranteed on-camera presence; some comedians who tried out for the show were instead brought in as producers and scriptwriters. This way, they could remain connected to SNL‘s pool of talent. Initially, John Mulaney and Jason Sudeikis aimed for cast roles, but ended up being hired as writers (Sudeikis later became a cast member for almost a decade).

Among some SNL cast members, a few get teary-eyed while rewatching their audition videos. Heidi Gardner inquires, “Did others cry too?” As she watches her own tape, she begins to weep, saying, “I was worried I might be too harsh in my critiques, and there are things I feel I could have improved upon. Yet, I can’t believe I did that. The pressure is immense.

With a hint of emotion in his voice, Moynihan reminisces about the moment Seth Meyers applauded him for acing the SNL audition, promising to frequently speak about the experience throughout his life. “He’s spot on,” Moynihan agrees, “It’s the topic that kicks off every dinner conversation. It was incredible then, and it remains so now. I adored that show, and I was a part of it.” However, the comedian can’t maintain the sentimental tone for too long without slipping in a joke. After dabbing his eyes and repositioning his glasses, he quips dryly, “Oh, by the way, I did kill someone this morning. I feel awful about it.

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2025-01-17 05:06

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