Although SNL50 proved to be a hit for viewers at home, the live audience was apparently not quite as warmly accommodating.
Despite sitting next to Meryl Streep in the audience at Studio 8H, Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson recently explained why the star-studded crowd was a “terrible audience” during the special.
“As you know from SNL40 — terrible audience,” said Davidson on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “It’s a terrible audience ’cause it’s just famous people, and famous people only like themselves. It’s true! I’m guilty of this.”
Meyers added, “I remember when [your] pre-tape was playing, you were the only one laughing. We were like, ‘Oh, he’s coming in way too hot.’”
Emphasizing his point, Davidson recalled sitting next to Streep in the audience. “Meryl rules. In typical SNL fashion, they don’t tell you anything. You don’t even know what’s going on. I get to my seat and I just look and I’m like, ‘This can’t be right,’” he told Meyers.
“It was Meryl Streep, and I just sat down,” added Davidson. “I’m like, ‘I’m so sorry that I’m sitting next to you. You’re the best.’ And she’s the best.”
After his eight-season run on SNL from 2014 to 2022, Davidson returned for multiple sketches on the SNL50: The Anniversary Special, including a reprisal of his monotone character Chad alongside original SNL cast member Laraine Newman.
Concluding the NBC sketch comedy show’s milestone 50th season, the special aired in February, drawing 14.8 million viewers across Peacock and NBC.
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