Comedian Andy Samberg has opened up about his experience returning to Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a guest player for its landmark 50th season. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star, who was a regular cast member from 2005 to 2012, shared his thoughts on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.
Samberg expressed a mix of emotions about his return to Studio 8H. "It's been really fun going back," he said, but quickly added, "But again, also inheriting, re-inheriting the stress of it and being like, 'Oh, right, this is intense.'"
The comedian, known for his digital shorts during his original SNL tenure, is now adjusting to live sketches again. He's been tapped alongside fellow SNL alumni Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey to satirize key figures in the 2024 presidential race. Samberg has been portraying potential future first husband Doug Emhoff opposite Rudolph's Kamala Harris.
Reflecting on a recent episode hosted by Michael Keaton, Samberg highlighted the ever-present risk factor in live comedy. "That last show, I was like, if this Beetlejuice thing doesn't work, I'm just going to be here and not do anything. That puts you right back in the feeling of being a cast member — of, you're always at risk," he explained.
Despite the pressure, Samberg noted that his current experience is somewhat different from his full-time cast member days. "It's a little more mellow. Me and Maya have been talking about it. It's a little more mellow because we know why we're there specifically," he said.
This return comes years after Samberg left SNL due to the toll it took on his well-being. In a recent interview on Kevin Hart's Peacock series, he admitted, "Physically and emotionally, like I was falling apart in my life." However, he maintains a fondness for his SNL experience, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to do comedy for a living.
As SNL celebrates its 50th season, Samberg's return, along with other SNL veterans, adds a nostalgic touch while also highlighting the enduring challenges of live sketch comedy. His candid reflections offer fans a glimpse into the high-stakes world of one of television's longest-running shows.