Will Forte’s Terrifying SNL Contract Wait

It’s fairly certain that not many TV shows have as much fame, even with their constant changes, as the cast of Saturday Night Live. The sketch show just marked SNL50 with both its golden anniversary season scheduled for 2025 and a collection of specials featuring numerous big-name stars who have graced comedy over the years. One such notable figure is Will Forte, and he recently shared his story about the tense period he endured waiting to find out if he’d be back for another season on the hit show.

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What Did Will Forte Say About Waiting To Hear If He’d Return For More Saturday Night Live Back In The Day?

It’s clear that members of the cast on Saturday Night Live often share certain characteristics. They are individuals who excel in comedy and enjoy entertaining large audiences, often making a significant impact within just a few years on the show. Additionally, they frequently demonstrate unexpected musical prowess. However, recently there has been an increase in discussions about how many of them have experienced anxiety related to their famous roles for various reasons.

Known for his 10-year stint on Saturday Night Live from 2002 to 2012, Will Forte later brought one of his iconic characters to life in the movie MacGruber and starred in series like The Last Man on Earth and The Four Seasons, as well as films such as Nebraska and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Recently, he appeared on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, and during their conversation about their time together on the comedy show, she inquired if Forte ever felt at ease or comfortable during his tenure, which prompted him to share a story about post-SNL Season 2.

At a specific point during July, there is a contractual requirement for them to inform you whether or not your performance warrants another season. Occasionally, they may also ask for an additional three weeks. This has been done for several individuals in the past, which can be quite unsettling.

It’s likely clear to you that Forte, who delivered an ill-suited speech at Seth Meyers’ wedding, found himself among the unfortunate actors whose roles on the show weren’t guaranteed once the season concluded. Unlike many TV actors, if your series is renewed for another season, you usually stay on unless unexpected events force a change.

One time, Kenan Thompson had a wild night partying with Amy Poehler and Will Forte. The next morning, he was hungover and had to perform in a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Landing a stable job on a television series that gets renewed annually can be challenging, but learning you could potentially be fired after each season makes an already nerve-wracking process even more tense. As Questlove stated, everyone fears the call to Lorne Michaels’ office, while Mike Myers admitted he would fall into depression when his sketches were cut. Andy Samberg and Bill Hader have openly discussed the stress of being on such an “intense” show, with Hader describing himself as a “basket case” during his time on the series. Unfortunately, it seems that Forte’s life during this period didn’t become easier quickly, as he also mentioned.

After completing those three weeks, many individuals were selected. On Friday, they asked if I could be informed on Monday. I didn’t know how to respond, so I simply agreed.

It’s hard to believe, but here you are, worrying about potential job loss, only for them to postpone the decision announcement yet again? The unfortunate reality is that the actor known as “Kinda Pregnant” had to endure this stressful situation, as it wasn’t resolved in a timely manner.

Initially, they informed me on Monday that they wouldn’t have an answer until Wednesday. This pattern continued, skipping every other day, for another three weeks. I was the last one to be called back during this period, and I believe no one was actually let go that year.

To be frank, I find myself utterly astonished… It seems that stress and frustration over prolonged uncertainty about my employment may have led me to consider leaving. Fortunately, Forte displayed remarkable patience, refrained from resorting to profanity, and ultimately found his footing in the series by his seventh season.

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2025-06-20 20:09