The Real Reason Andy Samberg Left SNL

Andy Samberg got candid with Kevin Hart on his Peacock show “Hart to Hart” and shared the reasons behind his departure from “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) 12 years ago, as reported by Variety.

Samberg rose to fame as one of SNL’s brightest stars during his tenure from 2005 to 2012. Alongside his Lonely Island collaborators Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, they created digital shorts that became some of the sketch comedy show’s most popular and viral content. Notable among these are “Dick in a Box” and “Natalie Rap.” “Dick in a Box,” performed with Justin Timberlake, even nabbed a Primetime Emmy for outstanding original music and lyrics.

However, the success came at a personal cost. Samberg revealed to Hart that by 2012, he was “falling apart” and could no longer “endure it anymore.” The physical toll was immense, with the comedian admitting he hadn’t had a proper sleep in seven years. The relentless schedule involved writing for the live show on Tuesday nights, table reads on Wednesday, and creating digital shorts. This often meant writing all Thursday, shooting on Friday, and editing through the night into Saturday, leading to virtually no sleep multiple days a week for years.

The departure of his comrades, Schaffer and Taccone, changed the dynamics significantly. For the last two years at SNL, Samberg found himself solely responsible for the digital shorts. He acknowledged never feeling capable of doing it alone, admitting, “We made stuff I’m really proud of in my last two years, but there’s something about the songs that I can only do with Akiva and Jorm. It’s just how it is, we’re just a band in that way.”

Facing the decision to stay or leave, Samberg sought advice from former SNL co-star Amy Poehler. One compelling reason for staying was the unique creative outlet the show provided. “I was like, once I go, when I have an idea, I can’t just do it. The craziest thing about working there is once you get going, if you’re just in the shower and you have an idea that shit can be on television in three days, which is the most intoxicating feeling,” Samberg explained.

The producers of SNL preferred that he stayed, which complicated his decision. “And I was like, ‘Oh, that makes it harder.’ But I just was like, I think to get back to a feeling of like mental and physical health, I have to do it,” he stated. Ultimately, he decided to leave in June 2012, calling it a “very difficult choice.”

Yet, Samberg didn’t entirely close the book on SNL. He returned to host the season 39 finale two years later and also hosted a digital short for the show’s 40th anniversary special. Since his departure, Samberg has delved into numerous projects across film and television. Notable works include the 2015 pseudo-sports comedy TV movie “7 Days in Hell” with Kit Harington, the 2016 comedy-drama “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” and the Emmy-winning hit comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” The beloved show saw the loss of one of its most cherished characters, Captain Ray Holt, played by Andre Braugher, last year.

Most recently, Samberg appeared in the biopic “Lee” alongside Kate Winslet. He is currently filming a remake, “The Roses,” with Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Additionally, he is in pre-production for the romantic comedy feature “42.6 Years” with Jean Smart.

“Saturday Night Live” is about to commence its 50th season this fall on NBC.

Source: Variety