Andy Samberg says ‘SNL’ run took a ‘heavy toll’ on his health: ‘You’re not sleeping’

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As a film enthusiast and avid follower of comedy, I can’t help but be in awe of Andy Samberg‘s remarkable journey through the world of entertainment. His time at “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) was nothing short of heroic, and his experiences offer a unique insight into the demanding nature of working on such a legendary show.

Working on “Saturday Night Live” is no walk in the park, as Andy Samberg, a beloved series regular, can attest.

For seven years starting in 2005, Samberg was a significant and cherished cast member on the sketch comedy show. As the lead of the Lonely Island musical comedy group, he brought digital shorts to new heights as a favorite among “SNL” viewers, with popular numbers like “I Just Had Sex” and “Motherlover.”

In an episode of “Hart to Heart” on Peacock that aired on Thursdays, he mentioned to Kevin Hart that he hardly managed to get any sleep.

“In physical terms, I was paying a great price for it,” Samberg admitted. With the demands of creating content for the live show and producing digital shorts each week, “it’s equivalent to not getting any sleep for around four days every week, for a span of seven years.”

After Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, fellow members of The Lonely Island, departed from the show in 2010 and 2011, respectively, Samberg became the sole creator of digital shorts for the last two years.

“I was falling apart,” he said, and eventually, he just couldn’t “endure it anymore.”

It’s no surprise that “SNL” producers urged him to reconsider: “They explicitly stated, ‘We’d rather have you remain,’ which made my decision more challenging for me.”

In his own words, Samberg expressed concern that stepping away from the show might negatively impact his ability to generate new ideas.

“Working at ‘SNL’ is unique because if you have an idea while taking a shower, it can be on the show in just three days,” he explained, adding to the excitement. After conferring with former ‘SNL’ cast members like Amy Poehler, he felt ready for his opportunity.

Samberg found himself in a tough predicament, but for the well-being of his mind and body, he felt compelled to make that decision.

Following his departure from “SNL,” Samberg took charge of the police sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” between 2013 and 2021, earning a Golden Globe for best actor for his role as Detective Jake Peralta. Samberg’s former colleague, Andre Braugher, gained four Emmy nominations and two Critics Choice awards for his portrayal of Captain Raymond Holt during the same period.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Taccone and Schaffer on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” We’ve collaborated on directing episodes and even guest-starred together. Furthermore, as partners in crime with Samberg, we co-produced his successful 2020 romantic comedy, “Palm Springs.”

In an interview with The Times in 2021, Samberg shared that the objective behind “Palm Springs” was to strike a balance between a widely appealing romantic comedy produced by a studio and the introspective drama “Punch-Drunk Love.” Essentially, he aimed to blend elements of an independent film with profound depth.

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2024-07-18 19:24