Why Amy Poehler’s SNL Audition Was Different Than Any Other

“Saturday Night Live” marks 50 years of existence, which means the comedy show will spend much of 2025 warmly celebrating its own television legacy. Some of this is earned. Producer Lorne Michaels was in the right place at the right time to assemble a historic collection of comedic talent in 1975, and it’s amazing considering the show has remained relevant through 10 American presidencies and God knows how many changes in culture. popular. Although many people are still watching the show live, viewers who have other plans for Saturday night can wait until Sunday to read episode recaps on any number of websites (none better than Ethan Anderton’s at /Film). and/or watch individual sketches on YouTube. “SNL” isn’t going anywhere; However, as a fan who has lived through its lowest moments (seasons 6 and 11 in particular), I feel like it has never been more mechanical than now.

Regardless of how you feel about the current state of “SNL,” it certainly hasn’t lost its ability to identify pop-ready comedy talent. One of the secrets to this continued success is their audition process, which, once you’re on the precipice of being cast, boils down to a five-minute display of improvisational skills. Everyone has to go through this, even if they are a little more prepared for prime time than others. And then there’s Amy Poehler. although she did Putting myself through a five-minute audition was atypical for a couple of reasons.

On Peacock’s new behind-the-scenes series “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” Amy Poehler revealed that her audition was “unique.” Anyone who was at New York City’s Luna Lounge or the Wednesday night “Stella” show at The Fez (hosted by The State’s Michael Showalter, David Wain and Michael Ian Black) in 1996 and 1997 knew Poehler as one of the members of the Vertical Citizen Brigade. fabulous four. All she did was destroy. The casting director of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” wisely brought her on the show to play the recurring character of Andy Richter’s little sister, which, since the series was executive produced by Lorne Michaels, put her in the most fast as fast as possible. “SNL” tracks.

On “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” director Beth McCarthy Miller remembers that Poehler’s audition was a “formality.” It was almost ruled out. All they wanted to see was Poehler being herself. So he put together a “Weekend Update” op-ed about Shaquille O’Neal being too old to play professional basketball. Poehler complied, but when she watches her audition in the documentary, you can see her trying to mentally extinguish the clip. “Have you ever made a video for someone for their birthday and sent them the wrong video?” Poehler asks. “That’s what that audition feels like, like a draft of an audition. Like what I would record to prepare for an audition.”

We can’t see the whole audition, so I can’t judge it as a comedy piece. However, I got to see Poehler in Stella more than once, and I’m surprised it took “SNL” four years to notice and put her on the show.