Mike Myers Was Intimidated by ‘SNL’ Castmates: “I Was Scared S—tless!”

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As a self-proclaimed comedy connoisseur and long-time admirer of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I can confidently say that Mike Myers is one of the most remarkable comedic talents to grace the stage of that hallowed ground. His journey to stardom was not always smooth sailing, however; in fact, the man who brought us iconic characters like Wayne Campbell and Austin Powers was once a bundle of nerves when he first joined SNL, surrounded by the likes of Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz, and other comic titans.

It’s fascinating to learn that Myers wasn’t always a dedicated viewer of SNL prior to his tenure on the show. Growing up in Canada, he was more likely to catch a Toronto Maple Leaf game than an episode of SNL, which only added to the awe-inspiring nature of his eventual success.

What’s even more ironic is that it was Wayne Campbell, the character Myers created on the Second City stage, who ultimately landed him a spot on SNL. The fact that Wayne took off like a rocket during his brief initial appearance on the Chicago stage still leaves me in stitches to this day.

Now, if only Mike could find a way to bring back Wayne and Garth for another round of “Bohemian Rhapsody”… I’d be “under pressure” to see it!

Mike Myers was a key figure on Saturday Night Live from 1989 to 1995, where he developed iconic characters like Dieter, the host of the offbeat German variety show Sprockets, the ordinary superhero Middle Aged Man, and, undeniably, Wayne Campbell, whose public-access show Wayne’s World became a phenomenon, inspiring the catchphrase “party on!” and two movies in the 90s. Myers’ time on SNL laid the foundation for his extensive comedy career, with him starring in films like Austin Powers and Shrek among other accolades. What might astonish many is that Myers wasn’t always filled with confidence during this period.

During a chat on the Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Myers shared that upon joining SNL, he was truly astonished by the exceptional talent all around him.

Upon arriving at Saturday Night Live and witnessing the incredible talent of these performers, I was absolutely terrified. My heart raced and I had a panic attack… Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Kevin Nealon, and Jan Hooks, all individuals I greatly admire. To be honest, it was almost surreal.

At the time when Myers came on board, both Jon Lovitz and Al Franken were already part of the cast. Later, several other skilled comedians like Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, and Adam Sandler joined the team, contributing to what many consider some of SNL‘s most enjoyable and enduring sketches.

Mike Myers Wasn’t Too Familiar With ‘SNL’ Prior to Joining the Cast

It was Wayne Campbell who helped Myers secure a spot on SNL, as he played the character during performances at the Second City stage. To his amazement, the skit gained popularity there.

I performed my sketch… and to my surprise, it resonated greatly with the crowd, which was remarkable given that I had been on stage for barely any time at all… In fact, there were thunderous applause and whistles, as if an airplane was taking off. It’s hard to explain, but something magical happened, and the audience embraced my work wholeheartedly.

Two weeks have passed, and I find myself in Chicago when I receive a phone call from Lorne Michaels. He tells me, “It seems you portray a character reminiscent of Wayne.

During his first year on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Wayne – who was partnered with sidekick and friend Garth, portrayed by Dana Carvey – made his debut. This swift ascent to fame was not only nerve-wracking for Wayne, but also a touch ironic, considering he wasn’t very acquainted with SNL prior to joining. In fact, in Canada, the show aired during the same time slot as Toronto Maple Leaf games, so Wayne followed the hockey team instead of the sketch comedy series.

In 1983, Myers shifted his residence to England, a country not particularly fond of SNL. It was only when Myers came back to Canada in the mid-’80s that he started to watch the program consistently.

Last spotted in the 2022 film “Amsterdam” directed by David O. Russell, Myers is now involved with the production of “Shrek 5”. This upcoming project is slated for release on July 1, 2026 – marking a return to the franchise after a gap of 25 years from the original movie.

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2025-01-01 00:02