Comedy is subjective, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the high-pressure environment of live television. Former ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast members Ana Gasteyer and Amy Poehler recently discussed the unique pain of performing a sketch that completely flops with the studio audience. During a conversation on Poehler’s podcast ‘Good Hang’, the two comedians reminisced about their time on the legendary sketch show and the bonding experience of failure. They specifically highlighted a moment where the cast’s internal hilarity did not translate to the viewers in the seats. Gasteyer recalled one specific sketch that the writers and performers adored but the crowd greeted with confusing silence.

The sketch in question was a parody of a “Morning Zoo” radio show, a format known for loud sound effects and obnoxious hosts. The premise involved a high-energy team of radio DJs who were reacting to a tragic weather helicopter crash with their signature zany antics. It featured comedy heavyweights Will Ferrell and Chris Parnell alongside Gasteyer, all committing fully to the bit. The idea was to satirize the insensitivity and relentless noise of morning radio, even in the face of serious news. However, the juxtaposition of a grim event with air horns and catchphrases proved to be a difficult sell for the live audience that night.

During the initial table read, the reaction had been the complete opposite of the live show. Gasteyer noted that the cast and writers were screaming with laughter while reading the script together earlier in the week. The room was filled with the kind of manic energy that often convinces performers they have a hit on their hands. They found the absurdity of the characters and the dark humor incredibly funny amongst themselves. This false sense of security made the eventual reception during the broadcast even more jarring for the performers on stage.

When the sketch finally aired, the response from the crowd in Studio 8H was described by Gasteyer as deathly silent. She compared the audience to a painting, staring back at them with zero reaction as the cast continued to scream and perform their chaotic roles. It felt less like a comedy show and more like a serious dramatic play about a radio crew, which made the experience surreal for everyone involved. The silence was so profound that it became a memorable moment of shared embarrassment for the cast members.

Poehler and Gasteyer agreed that these moments of failure are actually a form of community therapy for comedians. Poehler described the feeling as “post-cringe,” a level of awkwardness that goes beyond standard embarrassment into something primal. Even though the audience didn’t understand the humor, the cast found a strange joy in the disconnect between their performance and the reaction. It highlights the unpredictable nature of live comedy where even the most talented casts can misjudge the room.

If you have a favorite ‘SNL’ sketch that you think is underrated or one that you remember bombing live, tell us about it in the comments.