This Is What It's Really Like To Be A Writer On 'SNL'

Posted by Aldo Pusey on Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Over the years, a lot of famous faces have emerged from behind the curtain on 'Saturday Night Live.' The comedians are often the stars of the show, of course, even though fans recognize that a lot of work goes into putting the series together.

In fact, watching the show live in the studio has given some lucky fans a peek at how things work. Namely, that the writers who pen the jokes and sketches actually get to see the audience's reaction to them.

But what else goes into writing for 'SNL,' and what's the job actually like?

What Is It Like Writing For 'SNL'?

Writing jokes is not easy, as viewers likely realize. But something they may not realize? Just how much work goes into drafting the comedians' scripts and making the whole production come together.

Plus, because the show is dynamic and "live" each week, everything is done almost on the fly, with tweaks happening right up to the moment the cameras begin rolling. And it's not just the on-stage talent that needs to be on their toes.

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A fan of 'SNL' collected data from various sources -- including Wikipedia, interviews with the cast and writers, and various shows that explore the legacy of 'Saturday Night Live.' That fan summed up the writers' experience in a near essay-length post that really picks apart the tasks the team must tackle.

How Much Do Writers Work On 'SNL'?

Based on one super-fan's summary, writers on 'SNL' work every day except Sunday. On Mondays, they start pitching ideas with the cast and the host. Tuesday, the writers put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard?) and crank out scripts.

This is the most labor-intensive part of the week, but the fun isn't over yet. By Wednesday, it's time to read through all that printed-up script work -- and reject the ones that just don't work (or that the cast doesn't like) for whatever reason.

After having tons of their hard work scrapped, writers divide their time between polishing up the scripts that passed and heading back to the drawing board for more as needed. Rehearsals reportedly start on Wednesday, with more of the same on Thursdays.

On Friday, the sets are pieced together, and sketch writers are in the mix because of course, they've written up the scenes so they know what needs to happen, where, and how.

And then, dress rehearsals start on Saturday, where last-minute tweaks occur. Then, the show goes live. It sounds like a lot of work and a lot of hectic hours.

Fortunately for current writers on 'SNL,' they make far more than the sub-$800 per week that their predecessors earned. These days, getting a seat on the writing team for 'Saturday Night Live' practically guarantees a solid paycheck -- and plenty more opportunities in the industry, too.

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