How Conan Helped Sarah Silverman Turn Her Firing Into a Career Breakthrough

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Sarah Silverman is currently recognized as a riotously funny stand-up comedian, with numerous specials to her name and the voice of Vanellope von Schweetz in the popular “Wreck-It-Ralph” film series (available on your Disney+ subscription). However, before her rise to fame, Sarah Silverman had a brief stint as an actress/writer on “Saturday Night Live,” which ultimately ended when she was let go. Interestingly, Silverman credits Conan O’Brien for being the catalyst that benefited her career following her departure from “SNL.

Sarah Silverman joined SNL at the tender age of 22, featuring in skits such as “Weekend Update” alongside Kevin Nealon and “Homegirls,” where she portrayed a prep-school student. However, her on-screen presence as a performer was quite restricted.

In an appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” Sarah Silverman candidly admitted she was taken aback when she learned she had been let go, having never expected such an outcome. However, the actress from “School of Rock” discovered a positive twist in her circumstances when Conan O’Brien invited her to appear frequently on his talk show that very same year.

Without a doubt, Conan O’Brien had a significant impact on my career during his first year at SNL. That happened to be my initial and only year there. He frequently featured me on the show, even after I was let go. This marked the beginning of my professional journey. In fact, I wouldn’t have been able to join Conan without SNL, and it provided an intense, almost military-style training ground for me.

According to Sarah Silverman’s account, it appears that events unfold in an unforeseen manner. Despite not being able to utilize her skills on SNL, this very opportunity served as a stepping stone for her, eventually leading to her appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. This unexpected turn of events provided the budding comedian an opportunity to exhibit her talents and establish a successful career spanning several decades.

Conan O’Brien initially made his mark in television by working as a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1988 to 1991. This stint allowed him to demonstrate his comedic writing abilities and familiarize himself with the TV world. I suspect that their shared history on NBC’s sketch comedy series fostered a unique connection and admiration between Conan O’Brien and Sarah Silverman. Moreover, since Silverman appeared as a guest when O’Brien debuted his first significant hosting role, they were both present at each other’s professional beginnings – an aspect that makes their relationship quite special.

Sarah Silverman, who parted ways with Saturday Night Live in 1993, returned to the Emmy Award-winning series after more than two decades, gracing the stage during SNL40 alongside Chris Pratt, Woody Harrelson, Cameron Diaz, and others. A Screen Actors Guild Award nominee, Silverman showcased her talent in sketches such as a comedic take on The Fault in Our Stars sequel, a parody of female soap opera characters bonding titled “Supportive Women”, and more. With her impressive comedy career, her return to SNL must have felt like an opportunity for Silverman to close a chapter in her life.

Sarah Silverman’s tenure on Saturday Night Live was brief following her dismissal, but her subsequent invitation to Conan O’Brien’s talk show turned out to be a significant boost for her career, enabling her to leave an even more indelible impression. It’s truly inspiring to witness comedians paving the way for others in a challenging profession. Don’t forget to catch Silverman’s season 19 stint on SNL, now streaming on your Peacock subscription.

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2025-05-17 01:11