Pete Davidson Almost Quit SNL After His First Year…But Then Lorne Michaels Gave Him This Advice

Saturday Night Live is a challenging endeavor, and it’s no walk in the park to produce an episode. Yet, those who find their footing and shine within the series often become comedy powerhouses. Pete Davidson is one such individual who found his niche on the show and garnered adoration for it. Interestingly enough, before he found success, he requested Lorne Michaels to let him go after his initial season. The advice that SNL’s mastermind offered him would have made me reconsider my career path.

To mark SNL’s 50th anniversary airing in 2025, they’re offering a glimpse behind the scenes and sharing insights into the show’s inner workings. In the premier of SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night, Pete Davidson openly discussed his initial year on the comedy series, revealing how challenging it was to be part of it, expressing:

Following my first year, I requested a meeting with Lorne and asked him to terminate my employment. I told him, ‘I think I should be let go.’ He inquired why, and I replied, ‘I don’t feel like I fit in here.’ I added, ‘Everyone here is incredibly talented, and they don’t seem interested in being friends with me.’ At the time, I was quite young. I expressed, ‘Nobody seems to want to be my friend.’ He suggested that I wouldn’t understand things until my third or fourth year. I was taken aback and responded, ‘What?’ He agreed, ‘Yes, it’s just going to be tough for the next three or four years.’ I reluctantly agreed, and he turned out to be correct.

From 2014 until 2022, Davidson was a consistent presence on the show. It’s evident that he managed to establish himself and lasted through more seasons than Michael initially suggested for him to persevere in. Undoubtedly, this wasn’t an effortless journey.

If I were in any job where my supervisor suggested it would take three or four years to truly excel, I’d likely seek other opportunities. Moreover, it’s common knowledge that creating a successful sketch for television is challenging and consistently playing a significant role in a program can be even more difficult. To complicate matters further, the comedian has discussed the meager starting salary at SNL as well as the challenges of auditioning, since humor doesn’t always translate during the process.

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Show great resilience doesn’t come easy, but sticking with it and being determined is always crucial. The star of The King of Staten Island heeded his boss’s guidance and seized the opportunity. Over time, his struggles transformed into success, as people grew fond of him for his Weekend Update segments, digital shorts, and numerous other appearances. In fact, when he came back to host, his “I’m Just Pete” sketch became the most-watched pre-recorded bit of the year.

Following his triumphant stint on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Davidson has since starred in movies and television shows that have won hearts as well. It appears that if one manages to succeed on SNL, they can also achieve greatness in the realm of television and film. This is further evident by the fact that many of Studio 8H’s co-stars have enjoyed similar careers. Moreover, being part of this program provided Davidson with a strong bond and mutual respect with Michaels, whom he greatly admires. Although enduring three to four seasons might seem daunting, it seems that the rewards were more than worth the effort!

Currently, the actor formerly known as “Bupkis” is pausing to reminisce about the series that catapulted him into stardom, as Saturday Night Live (SNL) marches on with fresh hosts and musical acts for its 50th season, leading up to its anniversary celebration in February. Here’s to hoping he returns for more appearances so we can enjoy future installments of his iconic Update segments and digital shorts, further solidifying his status as a Saturday Night Live icon.

To catch Pete Davidson’s time on Saturday Night Live (SNL) along with SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night, simply subscribe to Peacock. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the return of Season 50 this coming Saturday, January 18 at 11:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, make sure to tune in for SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday, February 16 at 8 p.m. ET, either on NBC or Peacock.

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2025-01-17 20:08