The 50th-anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” in February was a star-studded event attended by the likes of Robert De Niro and Kim Kardashian. However, according to former “SNL” cast member Pete Davidson, the audience inside the venue left much to be desired.
During an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” Davidson, who stars in the new comedy “The Pickup” alongside Eddie Murphy, revealed that there weren’t as many laughs from the live audience as one would expect. He described the audience as “terrible,” attributing it to the fact that it was filled with famous people who only seemed to enjoy themselves.
Despite the lackluster audience response, Davidson admitted that he, too, was guilty of being caught up in the celebrity-filled atmosphere. Meyers recalled a moment during a pre-taped segment where Davidson was the only one laughing, jokingly remarking that he was “coming in way too hot.”
For the anniversary special, Davidson brought back his popular Chad character in a sketch with original cast member Laraine Newman. Reflecting on his time on “SNL,” Davidson humorously mentioned that Chad was his only recurring character in his eight years on the show, albeit not a very flattering one. He joked about the excitement surrounding Newman’s appearance and his own contribution of being shirtless in the sketch.
Despite the mixed reactions from the audience, Davidson did have a memorable moment sitting next to the iconic actress Meryl Streep. He expressed his awe at being seated next to her and apologized for his presence, praising her as the best. Streep, in turn, was gracious and kind towards Davidson.
The interview between Davidson and Meyers showcased a light-hearted and humorous exchange, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes moments of the anniversary special. It was evident that despite the challenges of performing in front of a high-profile audience, Davidson found moments of enjoyment and camaraderie, especially in the presence of esteemed talents like Meryl Streep.
To watch the full interview between Davidson and Meyers, you can view the video below. Ultimately, the 50th-anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” was a memorable event filled with laughter, nostalgia, and unexpected encounters.
