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Cecily Strong on the Catharsis of Her Goober the Clown SNL Sketch

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Among the aspects I cherished during my tenure on Saturday Night Live was orchestrating a balance between order and anarchy. When I donned the role of Jeanine Pirro, I yearned to knock over props or vomit hilariously; while performing the Fainting Couch sketch alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, I reveled in the thrill of colliding with set pieces and causing mayhem. The audience’s delight in witnessing such pandemonium being tamed on live television never ceased to amaze me, and my portrayal of Goober the Clown on “Weekend Update” embodied that very essence of chaos contained.

Approximately a month following the implementation of Texas’ six-week abortion ban in 2021, I shared a concept for a comedic sketch with my friend Erin Doyle, who works as a producer at SNL. My suggestion read: “I appear on ‘Update’ as a woman who had an abortion when she was 23. I don my clown suit, complete with the big nose, and entertain with jokes in a humorous voice while maintaining my identity as Cecily – a character I portray – yet revealing that I myself had an abortion at age 23.

I pondered whether it was wise, given that my nerves had been on edge for weeks due to the uncertainty surrounding reproductive rights in our nation, and I hoped that sharing some personal insights about my own abortion experience on the show might bring me peace of mind at night. After all, while SNL is known for its humor, it’s also a significant stage where speaking out could make a difference.

Erin agreed that the concept could be brilliant, so we enlisted writers Kent Sublette and Anna Drezen to refine the skit into what ultimately became Saturday’s broadcast. In it, you saw me dressed as a clown named Goober discussing clown abortions while my large spinning bow-tie twirled around, and I attempted (unsuccessfully) to create a balloon animal for Colin Jost.

Expressing something deeply personal in such an unconventional manner struck me as a mix of organized disorder. I was anxious and apprehensive because I recognized the potential for aggressive reactions this depiction might trigger, yet I felt reassured knowing the entire cast stood with me. Above all, I felt empowered. It’s unfortunate that women are often made to believe they should feel ashamed about decisions concerning their bodies. So, speaking publicly on live television about how having an abortion doesn’t equate to being a bad person was liberating.

To this very moment, with more than a decade behind me on the show, Goober the Clown remains my greatest source of pride. I believe comedy is at its finest when it taps into the human experience, and I feel that Saturday Night Live shines brightest when the performers can reveal their humanity. It was therapeutic to shape the narrative in such a personal way for the entire world to see, and I’m still moved by the heartfelt messages of kindness and empathy I received from fellow women following the broadcast of the sketch. I hope it brought them some measure of relief as well. – As shared with Erin McMullen.

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2025-02-12 16:07

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