Will Ferrell Just Confirmed He Wrote The Iconic ‘More Cowbell’ Sketch Himself, Plus How Writing Helped Him Find His Way On SNL

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As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the “More Cowbell” sketch from Saturday Night Live is a timeless masterpiece that never fails to bring a smile to my face. The chemistry between Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken was electrifying, and the humor in that sketch has aged like fine wine.

One iconic blend of rock music and humor, “More Cowbell” from Saturday Night Live, is still one of the show’s most acclaimed sketches, nearly a quarter century after its debut. Often regarded as Will Ferrell’s funniest performance, there was a common belief among fans that Ferrell co-created this classic bit with another writer. However, the actor from Anchorman clarified (sort of) the truth behind it.

During an interview in Interview Magazine, Will Ferrell joked around with the popular Saturday Night Live cast member, Bowen Yang. They discussed Yang’s career overall and his time on the well-established NBC show more particularly. In response to Ferrell’s comment about being better prepared for structured comedy compared to improvisation, Yang shared his thoughts during their conversation. Here is a summary of their exchange:

  • YANG: But I’m curious when you say that you do well with structure and not necessarily hustling. There’s a big server at SNL that has all the typed-out sketches from every single show, and it’s incredible. And weirdly, it’s the material thing that I’ll miss the most. It’s the access to documented comedy history. We were talking at work one day after a read-through, and we were just like, “I think Ferrell wrote ‘Cowbell’ by himself.”
  • FERRELL: Yeah.
  • YANG: We had this discussion about the risks of writing solo as a cast member. People tense up at the table when they see it’s just your piece, but we were like, “You know who did it incredibly well was Will.” And then we read “More Cowbell.”
  • FERRELL: Well, according to Wikipedia, some playwright in Scotland or Ireland helped me. It’s so random.

Despite claims that another person collaborated with Will Ferrell on the Blue Oyster Cult-inspired sketch, it appears as if Bowen Yang & Co. lacked confidence and recognition towards this unknown writer. This was due to their shared belief that Ferrell had written the segment independently, which turned out to be accurate.

As a gamer, I find that collaborating with others in teams of two or three can really boost my chances of success in brainstorming and executing innovative ideas. Just like how the writers and cast members of shows like Saturday Night Live often work in pairs or groups to leverage their numbers effectively. Even comedy legends like Will Ferrell didn’t necessarily need such a setup, but I wonder if there’s more to his story behind his incredible success on the show.

Who Was The Alleged Co-Writer Of The “More Cowbell” Sketch?

For quite some time now, I’ve noticed that the Wikipedia entry on the iconic “More Cowbell” SNL sketch has been attributing the script not solely to me (Will Ferrell), but also sharing credit with Donnell Campbell.

It appears that the well-known Donnell Campbell, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 79, was a Scottish poet, playwright, and historian – not the person associated with comedy sketches like the one involving a cowbell. Despite sharing the same name, it remains uncertain why this writer has been linked to the cowbell sketch for so long.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but wonder if Campbell was attributed to the creation of that sketch primarily because his last name, when heard, bears a striking resemblance to the sound of a cowbell itself. If his first name had been “Mo,” this theory would undeniably be more compelling.

Will Ferrell On How Writing Helped Him On His SNL Journey

Though Ferrell’s writing credit may not have appeared as substantial in public perception, it was clear that he wrote and performed the sketch single-handedly, giving his best performance even after the dress rehearsal didn’t meet expectations. This reportedly resulted in Ferrell wearing a smaller shirt that needed frequent adjustment during the performance.

Ferrell credited his solo sketch-writing skill to his experience as a writer in the Groundlings comedy troupe, likening it to the unpredictable improv style often seen at UCB. Put simply, he said:

Absolutely! I penned it on my own, and that’s what made the Groundlings stand out for me. If you’ve done UCB in New York, your improv skills were top-notch, no doubt about it. I wouldn’t call myself a powerhouse improviser, but the fact that we had to write sketches multiple times a week really boosted my confidence. When I got on stage, I felt ready because I knew how to craft material for myself. It eliminated the stress of scrambling to find a writer or forming partnerships at the last minute.

Regardless of what strategies Ferrell used during his time on Saturday Night Live, it’s clear that they were effective because he joined the ranks of the show’s top-tier alumni, which includes stars like Bill Murray, Kate McKinnon, and Mike Myers.

As I delve deeper into the realm of gaming, it strikes me that less tension often leads to more laughter. The iconic “More Cowbell” sketch, which has endured through the years and left many a comedian in stitches, is a perfect example. Out of all the cast members, only Chris Parnell managed to maintain his composure on camera – though it was later revealed that the Rick and Morty star did crack a smile when he thought no one was watching.

It’s not surprising that Christopher Walken himself maintained a serious demeanor during the sketch, and he persuasively made his case for desiring more cowbell in “Don’t Fear the Reaper”. Later on, Ferrell asserted that this sketch had an adverse impact on Walken’s life, with fans repeatedly quoting lines at him in public.

It’s evident that Ferrell doesn’t mind fans shouting comments at him, as shown by his decision to reprise the character of Gene Frenkle for a live performance alongside Marc Anthony, and also bringing the character back on SNL during the episode he hosted, where Green Day served as the musical guest. He even added a humorous touch to the situation when he seemed unaware of the song being performed and exited the stage before it was completed.

Take a look at who will be appearing as guest hosts and musicians on the stage of Saturday Night Live at 30 Rock for the rest of Season 50.

Without a doubt, the “More Cowbell” skit is likely to make an appearance during the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special when it hits television screens as part of the 2025 premiere lineup on February 16.

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2024-12-02 01:37