Andy Samberg’s Exit from SNL Sparks Conversations on Mental Health
Andy Samberg, while in a conversation with Kevin Hart on his show, “Hart to Heart,” revealed that he quit
Andy Samberg, while in a conversation with Kevin Hart on his show, “Hart to Heart,” revealed that he quit SNL because it had taken a huge toll on not only his sleep but also on his mental health. He claimed that it had been like he “hadn’t slept in 7 years.”
Andy Samberg’s Journey at SNL
The actor joined SNL in 2005 and along with his comedy trio, ‘The Lonely Island,’ became the biggest star the show had seen with his digital shorts like “Lazy Sunday” and “I’m on a Boat” that became viral hits in the early years of YouTube.
Remember that time when he bombed the “D*ck in a Box,” live with Justin Timberlake? Oh you don’t? Well, here you go:
Objectively, of course: He was one of the best things to happen to SNL, and the creators knew it too.
The NBC’s Emmy-winning late-night comedy variety show was home to Samberg as one of the writers for almost 7 years before he quit. His comedy trio, consisting of Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone quit 2 years before Andy, who quit in 2012, which meant that he was left writing digital shorts alone for two years.
“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, all 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.”
That must’ve been difficult to read as an Andy Samberg fan, right? And that about sums up what it’s probably like working for Hollywood, it would take effect not only your physical health but also your mental health.
Commenting on this “perfect recipe for a burnout”, a fan explained:
“It’s not great. The film industry often demands 75+ hour work weeks (I put in 81 hours on the last week of my last show, and I didn’t even stay the longest each day). Now add in the pressure to get it all done by Saturday night, every week, and don’t forget to be hilarious. It’s a perfect recipe for burnout.”
Can we take a moment to appreciate this person’s courage? We love how influential figures talking about an issue prompts people who suffered the same thing to come out into the open and talk about it.
During the talk on Wednesday, the Palm Springs actor added that it wasn’t a decision he made lightly or quickly and it was because he feared losing his creative outlet. He said that the “intoxicating” feeling of having all your ideas reflected on screen within three days, was the one thing that made him stay longer.
Public Reaction to His Mental Health Advocacy
When he declared that the reason for his quitting was because the hectic schedule was taking a toll on his mental health, he received an unwarranted amount of hate. But people also supported his decision of prioritizing his mental health.
A fan wrote on Instagram:
“It’s really nice to see people openly speaking about mental health and normalizing taking mental health breaks.”
Another fan wrote:
“Mental health is important. Read that again.”
People were also seen commenting on SNL’s extreme tactics and hectic schedules.
One fan, supporting Andy’s decision in every respect, wrote:
“I don’t understand why SNL is so intense 🤷🏼♀️”
As his last words regarding the topic, coming 12 years later, he said, “I will miss everyone there,” and expressed his sorrow of leaving the show behind.
Life After SNL
After leaving SNL, Samberg found further success as the lead of NBC’s popular police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine which ran from 2013 to 2021.
Fans (and by fans, we mean us) can’t stop expressing their love for him on social media, especially for talking about this issue and bringing it out in the open. “We all hope he continues to grow as he is.”
