As a lifelong fan of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I can confidently say that Kate McKinnon‘s departure from the show left a significant void. Her ability to bring characters like Hillary Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, and Justin Bieber to life was nothing short of magical.
For a number of years, Kate McKinnon has consistently shone on Saturday Night Live, portraying numerous characters and executing impressions of various celebrities with great success. Her portrayal of Ellen DeGeneres continues to be side-splittingly funny, while her depiction of Hillary Clinton will undoubtedly be remembered as a standout political impersonation in the history of SNL. Moreover, her impression of Justin Bieber is one that many people won’t easily forget, and it’s widely considered one of her best SNL sketches, a role she often reprised multiple times. It seems that this character served as a kind of anchor for McKinnon throughout her time on SNL, helping her prepare for the show week after week.
In a recent conversation with the host of “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, McKinnon discussed her time as a prominent cast member on “Saturday Night Live”, life post-SNL in 2022, and the shift in her schedule. Unlike the NBC series that demanded long, late-night hours, she admitted to not being a night person. Instead, she has embraced early bedtimes since transitioning to new ventures.
Yet, despite being kept busy by the late-night duties at SNL, it was the tunes of Justin Bieber that pumped her up. She elaborated on this:
It turns out that I’m a morning person who also prefers an early bedtime. Working at SNL was an incredible experience, but it went against my natural rhythm, making it challenging for me to stay awake long enough for the show. Before the show started, I would play Justin Bieber and dance around to keep myself awake.
Her affection for Justin Bieber’s music was evident in her impersonation, filled with youthful bravado and tattoos. This likely aided her in slipping into character, providing her with a deeper understanding of the subject. As for the other Saturday Night Live staff witnessing her dance to Justin Bieber in the 30 Rock hallways, McKinnon remained uncertain if they noticed or not. She admitted:
If they had done it, they were considerate enough not to mention it. I attempted to find a secluded spot, but I seemed to be as lively as someone dancing in that very place instead.
At 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday, when you’re about to start a live performance, you might go to great lengths to stay awake. It’s not just the show that keeps the performers up late; they also work long hours during the week to prepare. Sometimes this preparation even involves writing well into the night and the following morning.
As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you, that schedule is no walk in the park, and it seems like I’m constantly brewing coffee to keep myself awake around the clock. But when the caffeine isn’t enough to keep my eyes open, Belieber tunes like “Baby” and “Never Say Never” might be the perfect remedy for my fatigue. Justin Bieber has some catchy hits, and I can definitely understand why McKinnon would opt for his music to get her pumped up and ready for the show.
It’s clear that Bieber’s music had an invigorating effect, as McKinnon always appeared wide-awake when she graced the Saturday Night Live stage. Her energy was electrifying, even influencing her fellow performers. Despite being more of a morning lark who might prefer to be in bed on a weekend night, McKinnon’s talent for seizing the moment is what makes her one of the finest SNL cast members and impressionists ever.
Ever since McKinnon shifted focus to new endeavors, there’s been an undeniable void in our weekly broadcast. Here’s hoping she reprises some of her legendary characters and impersonations, such as Bieber, for the 50th season – that would be a real treat! Keeping my fingers crossed!
On Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET, you’ll find Saturday Night Live on your TV schedule. As we approach Season 50, the show is pulling out all the stops in terms of hosts and musical guests, so don’t miss it! If you’re a fan and want to revisit Kate McKinnon’s time on the show, you can do so by subscribing to Peacock and watching past episodes.
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2024-10-05 21:37