After Pete Davidson Revealed How Low SNL’s Starting Salary Is, Kenan Thompson Shared His Thoughts On The Matter

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As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I have seen the show grow and evolve over the years, and it has been truly incredible to witness the careers of some of my favorite comedians take off after getting their start on the show. Recently, there has been much discussion surrounding the salaries of SNL’s new cast members, with Pete Davidson revealing that they make a mere $3,000 per episode. As someone who has followed the show for decades, I can attest to the fact that money isn’t everything when it comes to working on SNL – the opportunity to perform alongside comedy legends and potentially launch your own career is more than worth any meager salary.

For Season 50 of Saturday Night Live, there’s been a surge of interest not only in the new hosts and musicians but also in those who kick-started their careers on the show, given its historic placement on the 2024 TV calendar. From notable guest appearances on SNL to in-depth reviews about iconic cast members, it’s all been quite a buzz. Furthermore, Pete Davidson disclosed some intriguing insights into how much a budding comedian earns on the sketch comedy series.

Now, following the widespread popularity of those comments, longtime Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson has voiced his opinions regarding the salary his ex-colleagues reportedly receive as newcomers.

What Pete Davidson Said About SNL’s Starting Salary

Prior to delving into Thompson’s remarks, let’s explore the insights provided by his fellow comedian during an interview with New York Magazine. In this conversation, Pete Davidson revealed the remarkably small amount that new SNL cast members earn when asked about how he spent his first paycheck, stating:

After receiving my initial payment from Saturday Night Live, my main splurge was undoubtedly a nice meal. You might be curious about how much we earn per episode – it’s approximately $3,000! So, you could say I treated myself to dinner with that paycheck.

Indeed, that figure isn’t fixed. As cast members hone their skills on hit shows like Saturday Night Live and gain more recognition, their earnings tend to increase. However, when they’re just starting, they typically earn less, often finding that even after paying rent from their paycheck, there’s not much left, as Jason Sudeikis explained in the same video by noting:

It seems that your income isn’t substantial enough for major purchases, which leads me to believe that the high rent in New York, following my first year at SNL, was likely the most significant expense I encountered.

Following the circulation of a video where the cast discussed how they used their initial (likely modest) earnings, comedian Kenan Thompson has now shared his perspective on this topic.

How Kenan Thompson Responded To Pete Davidson’s Comments

Kenan Thompson, a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL), has been part of the show for an impressive 21 years, making him the longest-serving cast member. Given his extensive tenure, he seems to be the appropriate interlocutor in regards to the ongoing paycheck issue. When asked by Variety about Davidson’s remarks, he declined to disclose specific figures, but did mention:

It’s pretty notorious that it’s more so about having the job than getting paid for the job. You gotta pay your dues a little bit, yeah.

Indeed, it all fits together neatly. Upon first listening to Davidson’s remarks, I too thought along the lines of what the star of Kenan & Kel was suggesting.

Many people view appearing on Saturday Night Live as a lifelong aspiration and realization of a dream. Often, they may not give much thought to the financial aspect. In fact, a significant number of comedians who are recruited for the show are relatively unknown during their initial season. As they build recognition and demonstrate their abilities on this established NBC platform, their earnings tend to increase over time.

It seems likely that if Thompson hadn’t received pay increases over the years, he probably wouldn’t have stayed with the company for twenty years. It’s plausible that he earns a substantial salary now, although this is only an assumption on my part.

Essentially, although cast members initially don’t earn a lot, it’s definitely a promising venture. Numerous comedians associated with the show have achieved immense success both during and after their stint, with many Saturday Night Live (SNL) performers transforming into film stars and TV mainstays. Therefore, even though they didn’t earn much initially, they are reaping significant rewards now, so there’s no cause for concern.

To catch the performance that propelled and boosted the careers of comics such as Davidson and Thompson, simply tune in to Saturday Night Live every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, or enjoy it with a Peacock subscription.

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2024-12-07 01:07