Andy Samberg Quit SNL Because He ‘Was Falling Apart’ and ‘Hadn’t Slept in 7 Years’

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Andy Samberg Quit SNL Because He 'Was Falling Apart' and 'Hadn't Slept in 7 Years'

Summary

  • Andy Samberg left
    SNL
    after 7 seasons due to a grueling schedule, physical toll & decline in mental health.
  • His The Lonely Island digital shorts helped modernize
    SNL
    humor & brought new audiences to the show.
  • Samberg struggled with his workload after Schaffer and Taccone left, and found success in his post-
    SNL
    career.

As a big fan of Andy Samberg, I can’t help but be in awe of his incredible journey with Saturday Night Live (SNL). It’s amazing to think that this talented individual gave everything he had to the show for seven long years, creating digital shorts that not only modernized SNL’s humor but also brought new audiences to the beloved comedy institution.

As a huge fan of Andy Samberg’s comedic talent, I can’t help but admire how his relentless work schedule at Saturday Night Live (SNL) ultimately led him to part ways with the show following its 37th season. His indelible contributions to SNL, including the iconic digital shorts he created alongside Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, are etched in the annals of sketch comedy history. And who could forget his memorable Weekend Update segments with Nicolas Cage? Samberg’s departure from SNL in 2012 was a quiet one, after dedicating seven seasons to the show that launched his career into stardom.

The digital successes of Samberg’s SNL sketches such as “Lazy Sunday,” “D— in a Box,” and “Natalie Rap” attracted a fresh fan base to Saturday Night Live, contributing significantly to the show’s contemporary shift in comedy style. In an interview with Kevin Hart for Peacock’s Hart to Heart, Samberg admitted that during his tenure on SNL, he was on the verge of collapse and could no longer endure it.

For seven long years, I endured a grueling schedule that left my body drained. Each week, I’d pull an all-nighter on Tuesday for the live show, followed by a Wednesday table read. Then came the pressure to create a digital short, which consumed my Thursday night, with no rest until Friday when we shot, and edited late into Saturday. In essence, about four days out of every seven were sleep-deprived endurance tests. Eventually, my body couldn’t take it any longer and I broke down physically.

When Schaffer and Taccone ended their five-year writing tenure at SNL, their departure led to an increased workload for Samberg in terms of the digital shorts they produced. Samberg acknowledged the significance of their exit.

During my last two years, I took the lead role in producing the shorts, recognizing the necessity of my involvement. Together with my team, we created work that made us proud. However, when it comes to the songs, my partnership with Akiva and Jorm is irreplaceable. It’s simply a unique dynamic that defines our band.

Samberg consulted with Amy Poehler, a former SNL cast member who was currently gracing Parks and Recreation with her presence.

As a gamer, I’ve chatted with Poehler and others who had ventured there before. When it was my turn to join, I found myself thinking, “Once I jump in, whenever an idea strikes me, I can’t just act on it. The wildest part about being involved is that if you’re even in the shower and a brilliant thought pops up, it could be on screen in as little as three days – talk about an intoxicating rush!”

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t be surprised that the SNL team didn’t want me to leave, they pleaded with me, “We prefer you’d stick around.” However, my longing to regain both mental and physical well-being became my priority, ultimately guiding my decision.

Andy Samberg’s Post-SNL Career

Andy Samberg Quit SNL Because He 'Was Falling Apart' and 'Hadn't Slept in 7 Years'

After bidding farewell to Saturday Night Live, I discovered a new wave of success with Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a captivating sitcom that showcases the peculiarities of a dedicated group of detectives based in the 99th Precinct of the NYPD. I took on the role of Jake Peralta, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 2013. The series ran for eight seasons until its conclusion in 2021. During my tenure on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I also worked on various projects such as the mockumentary Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping alongside Schaffer and Taccone, Hotel Transylvania, and the critically acclaimed Palm Springs. I had the privilege of hosting SNL in 2014 and made several guest appearances throughout the years.

Despite achieving great success in his career post-“Saturday Night Live” (SNL), Andy Samberg shared with Hart that being a part of the show had long been a cherished childhood dream for him. This experience, he mentioned, significantly influenced his professional journey. He recalled thinking:

Regardless of the outcome, having accomplished what I set out to do makes everything that follows a bonus.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be stepping into the shoes of Ben Reilly, also known as Scarlet Spider, in the highly anticipated animated film “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” set for release in 2023. Moreover, in the year 2025, I have the privilege to collaborate with esteemed director Jay Roach on his innovative take of “The Roses.” This captivating reinterpretation of Danny DeVito’s classic film, originally titled “The War of the Roses,” promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Hart to Heart is now available to stream on Peacock.

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2024-07-14 00:02