SNL Cast Was 'Screaming With Laughter' While Audience Sat in 'Deathly Silent' Cringe, Ana Gasteyer Recalls

For the comedians, it was comedy gold. For the audience, it was just… awkward silence. Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer recently recalled a sketch that had the cast and writers "screaming with laughter," only to be met with a "deathly silent" crowd during a live performance. The story emerged during her appearance on fellow alum Amy Poehler's 'Good Hang' podcast.

The 'Community Therapy' of a Bombing Sketch

According to Entertainment Weekly, the two former cast members discussed a surprising pastime among SNL performers: watching their old sketches that completely bombed. Poehler described the experience as "beyond cringe," likening it to "a primal scream." Gasteyer agreed, calling it "like a community therapy experience" for the cast.

Gasteyer then pinpointed one sketch in particular that the audience profoundly hated, despite the internal hype. "People at the table were screaming with laughter [it was] so funny," she said of the initial script reading.

The 'Loudest Sketch Ever' No One Laughed At

The sketch was about a "morning zoo crew" radio show and also starred Chris Parnell and Will Ferrell. The premise involved the hosts obnoxiously reacting to a weather chopper crash. When it came time to perform, Gasteyer recalled the audience in Studio 8H looked like "a painting" and watched the chaos in complete silence. The reaction was so jarring, it made her giggle. "Yes, 'cause it was so embarrassing," she explained.

Gasteyer, a cast member from 1996 to 2002, was known for many hit sketches like "Delicious Dish" and her Martha Stewart impressions. She didn't specify whether the sketch bombed during the dress rehearsal or the final live show.