There are tons of Saturday Night Live fans who miss Andy Samberg on the long-running sketch show, but he recently opened up about the sad reason he chose to step away, for the sake of his health.
“For me, it was, like, I can’t actually endure it anymore,” Samberg admitted to Kevin Hart on his Peacock show “Heart to Hart.”
“Physically and emotionally. I was falling apart in my life.”
Andy Says SNL Overworks Its Employees
Explaining the toll the show took on him, Andy continued, He continued, “Physically, it was taking a heavy toll on me, and I got to a place where I hadn’t slept in seven years. … It’s basically like four days a week you’re not sleeping, for seven years. I just kind of fell apart physically.”
Andry admits that an overworked culture had been normalized at Saturday Night Live, hinting others were experiencing burnout like him.
“Everyone was like, ‘Oh, same,’” he continued. “No one was like, ‘What?’ Everyone was like, ‘Oh, yes, yes. This is just what happens.’ Like, you hit a wall. We’re not built to operate that way.”
Samberg Rose To Fame With SNL
Samberg’s journey to fame began with his unique comedic talent and digital creativity, which eventually led him to one of the most iconic platforms in television history: Saturday Night Live. SNL, an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show, which premiered in 1975, and has since become a cultural institution, known for launching the careers of numerous comedians and actors.
Samberg’s big break came in 2005 when he joined the cast of SNL as a featured player. Before SNL, Samberg was part of a comedy troupe called The Lonely Island, along with his friends Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. They gained a following for their digital shorts and comedic music videos on the internet, which showcased their innovative and irreverent humor.
At SNL, Samberg quickly made a name for himself with his digital shorts, which became a staple of the show. These shorts, produced with The Lonely Island, were often pre-recorded sketches that aired during the live show.
One of his most famous digital shorts, “Lazy Sunday,” a rap about a mundane day in New York City, went viral and marked a significant moment in the early days of viral internet content. Other notable shorts include “Dick in a Box,” a hilarious and controversial music video featuring Justin Timberlake, which won an Emmy Award.
Samberg’s work on SNL extended beyond digital shorts; he was also known for his impressions and live sketches. His impersonations of celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg and Nicolas Cage, as well as his recurring characters, showcased his versatility and comedic range.
After leaving SNL in 2012, Samberg continued to build on his success with roles in films like Hot Rod and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, as well as starring in the critically acclaimed television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where he plays the lovable and goofy detective Jake Peralta.
He’s returned to SNL on occasion, including a stint in 2014, but fans shouldn’t expect Andy to return on a full-time basis anytime soon given his recent comments.