The world of comedy is a tricky business, and it seems that even the most seasoned performers can fall victim to the pressure of live television. Pete Davidson and John Mulaney, both former stars of Saturday Night Live (SNL), have revealed a hilarious and somewhat shocking secret: they often lied to celebrity hosts about their monologues, telling them they 'crushed it' when they actually bombed. This is a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes world of comedy, where even the most talented individuals can struggle to connect with a live audience.
Davidson and Mulaney's admission comes from a panel at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, where they reminisced about their time on SNL. Mulaney, who worked as a writer on the show from 2008 to 2013, shared his experience of hyping up nervous A-list guests before they took the stage. He recalled writing monologues for Oscar-winning hosts, knowing full well that they often tanked. Davidson, on the other hand, had his own version of damage control, telling hosts they had 'crushed it' when they clearly hadn't.
The comedians revealed that actors often had a harder time adjusting to the live-comedy environment than people realize. They described actors with 'actor face' who didn't understand the dynamics of live performance. Mulaney's story about a big comedy star whose monologue fell apart after a difficult writing process is particularly amusing. He avoided telling the host the truth, instead blaming 'bad acoustics' in the famous Studio 8H, despite the studio's excellent sound equipment.
Davidson's strategy was to redirect hosts away from the audience response, telling them to 'play for the camera' and that the audience was 'not gonna laugh a lot'. He even invented excuses about the audience, claiming they were 'tourists' or 'half of them probably don’t even speak English'. This shows the lengths to which comedians and writers will go to boost a host's confidence, even if it's a lie.
This behind-the-scenes look at SNL is a reminder that the show's success relies on a delicate balance between the host's performance and the writers' ability to manage expectations. It's a fascinating insight into the challenges of live comedy and the lengths people will go to ensure a successful show. It also highlights the importance of honesty and authenticity in the entertainment industry, where a little white lie can sometimes do more harm than good.
