Andy Samberg’s Saturday Night Live cast exit explained (Why he left his dream job)

Andy Samberg's Saturday Night Live cast exit explained (Why he left his dream job)

As a huge fan of both Andy Samberg’s work on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) and his subsequent success with shows like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” I can’t help but be in awe of his incredible journey in the world of comedy. His story is one that resonates with me deeply, as I’m sure it does with many other fans.


Becoming a regular cast member or writer for Saturday Night Live (SNL) on a Saturday night is by no means an effortless task. Given SNL’s esteemed standing in the comedy world, you must possess exceptional improvisational skills, the ability to focus intently, and a wellspring of creativity. Many comedians harbor aspirations of joining this prestigious team, among them Andy Samberg.

The comedian and actor, who is famously recognized for portraying Jake Peralta in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” holds a special place in my heart among comedies. I’m particularly captivated by his performances and character selections in this show. However, before gaining this success, he was a significant cast member on SNL and achieved great acclaim there. As he shared during an interview on Kevin Hart’s “Hart to Heart” on Peacock, this was a long-cherished dream of his.

Andy Samberg's Saturday Night Live cast exit explained (Why he left his dream job)

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: When I got invited as a guest on that popular show, I was thrilled – it felt like the ultimate level-up for me. But eventually, I reached a point where I just couldn’t go on. The grind had taken a toll on my body and mind, leaving me drained both physically and emotionally. So, with a heavy heart, I decided to step down from the game. According to Entertainment Weekly, Samberg shared the same sentiment during an interview with Hart.

Physically, it was taking a heavy toll on me and I got to a place where I was like I hadn’t slept in seven years basically. We were writing stuff for the live show Tuesday night all night, the table read Wednesday, then being told now come up with a digital short so write all Thursday. Thursday night, don’t sleep, get up, shoot Friday, edit all night Friday night and into Saturday. So it’s basically like four days a week you’re not sleeping, for seven years. So I just kinda fell apart physically.

Samberg’s reference is to the Digital Shorts created by him and his comedy group The Lonely Island for Saturday Night Live (SNL). He along with Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer were employed as writers with a major responsibility towards producing these shorts. Consequently, their weeks were packed with work according to Samberg’s statement.

Andy Samberg's Saturday Night Live cast exit explained (Why he left his dream job)

Their most famous sketches include “Lazy Sunday,” “I’m on a Boat,” and “Like a Boss.” Despite the demanding workload and having harbored this dream since childhood, as EW mentions, he found it hard to let go. However, for the sake of his well-being, he reluctantly made the decision to depart. This became even clearer when Taccone and Schaffer announced their departure after spending five seasons on SNL to explore new projects. Samberg expressed:

I think to get back to a feeling of like mental and physical health, I have to do it. So I did it and it was a very difficult choice.

After seven successful seasons on “Saturday Night Live” ending in 2012 during season 37, Samberg made the wise decision to depart. His popularity and achievements on the show notwithstanding, it is commendable that he recognized the need to prioritize his health at this juncture. It’s essential to take care of oneself above all else. Though his departure left an indelible mark with the popular shorts he created, Samberg continues to thrive and we are excited to witness his future endeavors.

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2024-07-16 18:53