Former cast members and writers from Saturday Night Live recently shared details about how the show responds when celebrity hosts struggle during the opening monologue. Their comments offered a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when an SNL monologue fails to connect with the studio audience.
During a live appearance tied to the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, former cast member Pete Davidson and former writer John Mulaney discussed the unofficial phrases staff members used after difficult performances. Both comedians said they often reassured hosts even when audience reactions were weak.
Pete Davidson doing stand-up – YouTube, Netflix Is A Joke
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Mulaney recalled, “When I was 25, I’d tell Oscar-winning hosts — I’d write their monologue and be like, ‘You’re gonna say all that, it’s gonna go great,’ and they’d tank 8 times out of 10.”
Monologue Fails
Davidson explained that he often tried to protect nervous hosts from embarrassment after the segment ended. He said he regularly told them, “You crushed it,” even when the crowd responded poorly.
Davidson and Mulaney shared several explanations they used to comfort disappointed hosts after an SNL monologue failed to land. “You’re really performing for the people at home,” Davidson would tell hosts.
“Play for the camera. The audience, they’re just there to help you, but they’re not gonna laugh a lot,” Mulaney added.
Davidson would lie to hosts telling them, “They’re tourists. They wait outside and they try to win a lottery. Half of them probably don’t even speak English.’ They do. They’re big fans of the show; they camp outside.”
John Mulaney doing stand-up – YouTube, Netflix Is A Joke
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Mulaney also recalled another excuse he used after rough performances. He said he once blamed “bad acoustics” when a major comedy performer questioned the crowd reaction. He then acknowledged that Studio 8H is famous for strong sound quality and once housed the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Context
The discussion highlighted the pressure surrounding the opening monologue on Saturday Night Live. Many celebrity hosts come from acting or music backgrounds rather than live comedy. The show airs live each week, which leaves little room to recover when jokes fail to connect.
Mulaney worked as a writer on SNL from 2008 to 2013. Davidson joined the cast in 2014 and remained with the series until 2022. Both spent years helping hosts prepare for live broadcasts and opening monologues.
The discussion took place during an episode of The Pete Davidson Show, Davidson’s Netflix podcast. The comedians focused on how cast members and writers tried to maintain a host’s confidence during stressful production weeks.
John Mulaney and Pete Davidson in an SNL skit – YouTube, Saturday Night Live
Opening monologues remain one of the most recognizable parts of Saturday Night Live. Some hosts perform stand-up comedy, while others rely on scripted material or musical segments. Writers often spend days revising jokes before the live broadcast begins.
Even experienced entertainers sometimes struggle with the format. Live television creates immediate pressure because audience reactions happen in real time. A weak opening monologue can quickly become the focus of online discussion after the show airs.
The conversation surfaced shortly after Saturday Night Live concluded its 51st season. The season finale featured Will Ferrell as host and Paul McCartney as the musical guest.
What do you think Davidson’s and Mulaney’s comments about SNL monologue fails? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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