I Just Found Out That SNL Cast Members All Swear By Different Strategies To Get More Airtime, And It's Actually Pretty Awesome

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Steve Harvey (Kenan Thompson) opens Family Feud on Saturday Night Live. — Credit: NBC

Saturday evening live’50^e season is broadcast amid the TV program 2024and it means a time of reflection. The Emmy-winning variety sketch series has seen many cast members come and go. While there have been some notable exits in recent years, the ensemble remains strong and filled with astute stars. If you need any proof of how sharp they are, it turns out to be some of the following SNL cast has some great strategies for getting more airtime. I discovered this myself and actually think it’s great.

Obviously there will be cast members who receive more airtime on live television than others. Some might be tempted to think that it all depends on the sketches and how they were ordered for broadcast. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that it is actually much more than that. Some of the cast spoke Wall Street Journal about the technical details behind the scenes of the legendary show, even looking back on their first days. Heidi Gardner, who joined at the beginning of season 43, recalled how difficult it was to land sketches and all because she thought it was like high school:

In my first year I found it very difficult to knock on doors and think that someone would want to write with me. Not because people weren’t welcome, but because I thought I was following the rules of senior, junior, sophomore, freshman.

It’s not surprising that the actress felt this way, because in most situations it comes down to seniority. However, with a show like Saturday evening liveit seems she just had to try harder. Participate SNL is certainly intimidating, especially with such a large cast that really wants to break into sketches. Luckily, Heidi Gardner figured it out and has since become a fan favorite, especially last season when she broke during the viral Beavis & Butt Head sketches. However, that doesn’t mean she has it easy now.

Ego Nwodim, who competed in season 44, revealed that she still goes after writers with her own pitches. Since there are many cast members, it’s not always easy to send out pitches. Therefore, Nwodim must do this on Monday:

I do that as early as possible because their time is coordinated with other cast members who are doing the same thing.

I can only imagine what some writers’ inboxes look like at the beginning of the week, because they probably already have outlines in mind for that week or the next. You’d assume they’d also be bombarded with other pitches from the cast members. Additionally, they need to stay organized and know which sketches to say yes to and which ones to say no to. Nevertheless, Nwodim’s strategy seems to be working for her, and I honestly appreciate her hustle and drive to stand up for herself.

As for SNL‘s oldest cast memberKenan Thompson, who was cast prior to season 29, just wants to be in skits no matter what the idea is or who he’s playing. And I have to say I like his strategy too:

It just reminds people, “Hey, I always feel like being a hot dog vendor.”

It’s honestly hard to say who could be a breakout star if they join SNL. Some actors’ talents are immediately unmistakable, like John Belushi or Kate McKinnon, while others can take longer to find their feet. All in all, it seems like cast members really have to fight to earn their spot in the sketches and personally, if I were in their shoes, I would look to the wisdom of Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, and Ego Nwodim.

Saturday evening live airs on the titular day at 11:30 PM ET on NBC, and episodes can also be streamed with a Peacock subscription.