Andy Samberg took a step back from Saturday Night Live to prioritize his physical and mental health, reflecting on the toll the job had taken on him.
A Tough Decision to Leave SNL
During an appearance on Kevin Hart’s Heart to Hart show on Peacock, Samberg, 45, opened up about the difficult decision he made to leave the iconic comedy series after seven years. “For me, it was, like, I can’t actually endure it anymore,” Samberg said, revealing that his time on SNL had become unsustainable. “Physically and emotionally. I was falling apart in my life.”
Samberg explained that the demanding schedule of SNL, which often included working long hours and sleeping very little, eventually caught up with him. “Physically, it was taking a heavy toll on me, and I got to a place where I hadn’t slept in seven years,” he shared. “It’s basically like four days a week you’re not sleeping, for seven years. I just kind of fell apart physically.”
The Reality of the SNL Schedule
Samberg joined SNL in 2005 and became known for his musical sketches with his comedy trio, The Lonely Island, which included Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. Iconic sketches like “I’m on a Boat” and “I Just Had Sex” became viral hits. However, the pressure of the show’s rigorous demands led Samberg to step away in 2012.
Samberg admitted that while he didn’t initially “want” to leave, he recognized that his well-being had to come first. “Everyone was like, ‘Oh, same,’” Samberg recalled of the moment he shared his decision with others. “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.”
Gratitude for His Time on SNL
Despite the challenges, Samberg expressed gratitude for his time on SNL and the lifelong friendships he forged. Samberg, Taccone, and Schaffer have been friends since childhood and continue to collaborate professionally. Samberg reflected on their enduring bond, saying, “We are all into the same things now. Literally, we haven’t grown out of any of our interests.”
Looking back at his career, Samberg shared that many of the projects he’s the proudest of were those he worked on with Taccone and Schaffer. “I think I speak for all three of us — the things that we’re the proudest of, and that seem to be the things that people bring up to us over the years, are always the things we’ve made together,” Samberg said.
Moving Forward
Though Samberg left SNL to focus on his health, his impact on comedy and television continues to be felt. As he moves forward in his career, Samberg remains a beloved figure in the world of entertainment, balancing his health and professional commitments.