‘They’re Not Supposed To Know.’ SNL Makes Most People Who Work There Hyper Anxious. Why Conan O’Brien Credits Adam Sandler For Changing The Vibe

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Working at Saturday Night Live is no mystery – it’s incredibly challenging. The live performance pressure, the constant creation of a new show each week, and the nerve-wracking wait to find out if you’ll be part of the next season are just a few factors that contribute to high levels of stress. Recently, Conan O’Brien has shared his experiences with this, revealing that it was even tougher in the past. Interestingly, Adam Sandler played a significant role in turning the work environment into a more enjoyable one.

During their discussion, Conan O’Brien brought up with Andy Samberg the intense nature of SNL 50, including the digital short they both made about anxiety. This topic isn’t shied away from by cast members, as many have openly discussed the high-stress and demanding aspect of working on Saturday Night Live. (You can watch it if you subscribe to Peacock.)

In the chat on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the show’s presenter candidly shared his bouts of anxiety that he faced during his tenure on one of the most renowned sketch comedy series ever, detailing:

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During their conversation on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the host openly admitted to experiencing anxiety while working for one of the greatest sketch comedy shows in history, elaborating on:

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In a heart-to-heart talk on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the podcast’s leader confessed about the anxious moments he underwent during his time with one of the top-tier sketch comedy programs, describing it as:

Each paraphrase aims to convey the same idea in a slightly different way while maintaining readability.

It’s peculiar because so many people appreciate Saturday Night Live, as they rightfully do. Yet, it’s best if they can enjoy it without understanding the intricate workings behind the scenes. This way, they remain unaware of the high levels of stress some people experience… Some individuals seem to shrug off this stress, but I, who was a writer and not a performer, always felt as though there was a pressure cooker constantly ticking beside me – like a gun pointed at my head.

Towards the end of the show, Samberg and O’Brien revisited the demanding nature of working at SNL. On this occasion, they delved into the experiences of the former writer during his tenure there. The actor from Brooklyn Nine-Nine wondered if that era was the last to encounter the truly “intense and rough” atmosphere, and indeed it was. This is what led to Adam Sandler’s involvement in the storyline. O’Brien then remarked:

In that intense frame of mind, it seemed as if [Robert] Smigel, [Bob] Odenkirk, and Greg Daniels were all saying, “It’s a matter of survival.” And it felt like everyone was operating under that same level of urgency. One day, [Adam Sandler] dropped by, and he would just keep joking about “Let’s head out for a milkshake.

In their conversation, O’Brien indeed validated Samberg’s notion that the NBC show had a more competitive and gritty vibe back then. Yet, the atmosphere began to shift once the star of “Happy Gilmore” entered, as he playfully remarked:

He expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “Being here at SNL is an absolute blast! I simply adore it, over and over again! Yippee! As for Opera Man, I’ll definitely perform him. There are so many things I want to do. This is fantastic, guys!

To enjoy an abundance of Saturday Night Live episodes whenever you want, you’ll need a Peacock TV subscription. This service offers access to content from NBC, Bravo, and Universal, including the complete library of SNL episodes and BTS. Check out the deal now!

Adam Sandler’s status as an SNL legend is undeniable, leaving an indelible mark during his five-season tenure. This is clearly reflected in his sketches, but Conan’s story also highlights how Adam’s upbeat demeanor contributed to this success. This positive vibe not only enlivened the show for its former writer but also suggested that working on SNL and in his movies could be enjoyable. When discussing his colleague’s enjoyment of the NBC series and his films, he expressed:

This is a possibility? You can like this?

In essence, it’s possible to hold two contrasting opinions simultaneously – for instance, appreciating something deeply while acknowledging its challenges. This sentiment has been consistently present on SNL since its inception. Samberg, in this particular episode, echoed this viewpoint, expressing his affection for the show, but also pointing out that the demanding nature of it made it difficult to sustain long-term.

Working on Saturday Night Live is no walk in the park; it’s an enormous undertaking that requires immense effort. Yet, it can also be an incredibly enjoyable experience, as evidenced by Adam Sandler during his tenure. Furthermore, it appears he played a significant role in improving things for those who came after him.

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2025-08-01 21:25