Sarah Sherman on Secrets from SNL 50, Nosferatu, and being in Domingo

Summary

Podcast Title: Good One: A Podcast About Jokes
Host: Jesse David Fox, Vulture.com Senior Editor
Guest: Sarah Sherman
Episode Title: Sarah Sherman on Secrets from SNL 50, Nosferatu, and being in Domingo
Release Date: June 20, 2025

---

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "Good One: A Podcast About Jokes," host Jesse David Fox welcomes comedian and Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer Sarah Sherman. The conversation delves deep into Sarah's innovative approach to SNL's Weekend Update segment, her creation of the quirky Nosferatu character, and her experiences working on SNL's landmark 50th season.

Redefining Weekend Update with Nosferatu

Sarah Sherman has made a significant impact on SNL's Weekend Update by introducing the character Nosferatu, a vampiric figure who humorously roasts the show's host, Colin Jost.

[01:46] Jesse David Fox: "What was the funniest thing that happened to you this week?"

[01:49] Sarah Sherman: "I was hiking up Bear Mountain in Victoria, British Columbia, lost in thought with the Beach Boys playing... I started sobbing and realized there were bears nearby, so I fled home."

Sarah's anecdote highlights her unique blend of humor and vulnerability, which translates seamlessly into her SNL persona. She describes Nosferatu as a silent, cartoonish vampire with exaggerated features, such as long, pointy teeth, designed to add a layer of absurdity to the segment.

[04:11] Sarah Sherman: "He’s got no skin. He’s a pervert. I love the flesh monster TV from Terror Vision... he sucks your mind."

The Creative Process Behind Nosferatu

Sarah provides an inside look into the meticulous process of bringing Nosferatu to life on Weekend Update. From pitching the idea to collaborating with costume designers and special effects artists, she emphasizes the importance of creativity and teamwork.

[07:10] Sarah Sherman: "I wrote a pitch for a parody trailer of Nosferatu criticizing its poor cinematography, but it bombed because no one had seen the trailer yet."

Despite initial setbacks, Sarah persisted, eventually refining the character to better fit the show's dynamic. She shares humorous insights into the challenges of live television, such as managing props like the detachable rat head and dealing with technical mishaps.

[16:14] Sarah Sherman: "I have TMJ, so moving my mouth in these exaggerated ways was impossible for me."

Interactions and Collaborations on SNL

Sarah discusses her collaborative relationships with fellow SNL writers and performers. She highlights the support and constructive feedback she receives, which helps shape and enhance her comedic sketches.

[11:10] Sarah Sherman: "Dan Bola, Mike DeCenzo, and Josh Patton patiently stay up all night thinking about things we can write the next day."

Her ability to blend absurd horror elements with sharp social commentary has become a staple of her sketches, particularly through her relentless roasting of Colin Jost.

Balancing Creativity and Live Performance Anxiety

Performing live on SNL comes with its own set of pressures, which Sarah candidly shares. She often finds herself second-guessing her delivery and jokes, despite the positive reception from audiences.

[42:28] Sarah Sherman: "I enjoy repulsion, so if I hear oohs, ahhs, nos, I'm in heaven. But I feel suicidal during the live show because I just had the dress rehearsal and it was so fun."

Sarah's honesty about her anxiety offers a relatable perspective for many performers, illustrating the fine line between artistic expression and the fear of not meeting expectations.

Memorable Moments and Guest Interactions

Throughout her tenure on SNL, Sarah has encountered numerous celebrities and participated in iconic sketches. She reminisces about interactions with legends like Paul McCartney and Ben Stiller, adding a personal touch to her professional experiences.

[62:44] Sarah Sherman: "Paul McCartney was in the building, and I ran up to him to tell him I stole his Wings-era haircut. He knew and was incredibly nice to me."

These anecdotes showcase Sarah's ability to navigate high-profile environments with humor and grace, further cementing her role within the SNL family.

Reflecting on Long Island Roots and Personal Growth

Sarah delves into her upbringing on Long Island, discussing how it shaped her comedic style and identity. Growing up in a conservative Jewish community, she often felt like the "weirdest person" around, which fueled her desire to embrace individuality and absurdity in her work.

[70:11] Sarah Sherman: "Long Island is pure, unadulterated hell, but its proximity to the city allowed me to escape and pursue comedy from a young age."

Her background provides a rich backdrop for her humor, blending personal experiences with broader societal observations.

Legacy and Future on SNL

As the episode progresses, Sarah contemplates her future on SNL, reflecting on her achievements and the sketches she wishes to explore further. She remains passionate about pushing boundaries and introducing new, unconventional humor to the show.

[90:11] Sarah Sherman: "I played a butt in a sketch that got cut for being too pornographic. But I'm determined to make it work better next time."

Sarah's dedication to her craft promises continued innovation and laughter for SNL audiences.

Conclusion

In this insightful episode of "Good One: A Podcast About Jokes," Sarah Sherman offers a compelling glimpse into the world of live television comedy. Her creative genius, coupled with her candid discussions about the challenges of performing, make for a captivating listen. Whether you're a fan of SNL or simply interested in the art of comedy, Sarah's stories and perspectives are sure to entertain and inspire.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Sherman [01:49]: "I was sobbing on the hike... Why do I feel like I was born in the wrong time?"

• Sarah Sherman [04:11]: "I love Frank in Hellraiser. He's got no skin. He's a pervert."

• Sarah Sherman [07:10]: "I pitched a parody of Legally Blonde called Legally Brunette. No one was impressed."

• Sarah Sherman [16:14]: "I have TMJ, so moving my mouth in these exaggerated ways was impossible for me."

• Sarah Sherman [42:28]: "I enjoy repulsion, so if I hear oohs, ahhs, nos, I'm in heaven. But I feel suicidal during the live show."

• Sarah Sherman [70:11]: "Long Island is pure, unadulterated hell, but its proximity to the city allowed me to escape and pursue comedy."

• Sarah Sherman [90:11]: "I played a butt in a sketch that got cut for being too pornographic. But I'm determined to make it work better next time."

---

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Sarah Sherman's appearance on the podcast, highlighting her creative processes, personal anecdotes, and the intricacies of live television comedy. Whether discussing her unique SNL sketches or reflecting on her Long Island upbringing, Sarah provides an engaging narrative that both entertains and informs.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

Support for this show comes from pure leaf iced tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon slump, you need the right thing to make you bounce back. You need pure leaf iced tea. It's real brewed tea made in a variety of bold flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. You're left feeling refreshed and revitalized so you can be ready to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit the reset button, grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf. Support for this show comes from pure leaf iced tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon slump, you need the right thing to make you bounce back. You need pure leaf iced tea. It's real brewed tea made in a variety of bold flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. You're left feeling refreshed and revitalized so you can be ready to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit the reset button, grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf.

[Sarah Sherman]

It's weird. White and pointy on the page. Not an amazing joke. Okay. On its feet. Not an amazing joke. I put the teeth on. Now we're cooking. A little bit funny, isn't it?

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. Welcome to Good one. I am your host, Jesse David Fox, senior writer at Vulture and author of comedy book. My guest today is Sarah Sherman. We talk about how she's redefined and mastered the weekend Updates segment on SNL Secrets from SNL50. And we relate to each other about being weird, Jewish and from Long Island. So here is Sarah Sherman. I am here with Sarah Sherman. Thank you for being here.

[Sarah Sherman]

Thanks for having me.

[Jesse David Fox]

So what was the funniest thing that happened to you this week?

[Sarah Sherman]

I, not to brag, was on a long thinking walk. And not to brag. I was in the mountains of Victoria, British Columbia, and I was just, like, thinking about my life and walking, walking around. And I was, like, so lost in thought that I wasn't, like, I just wasn't cognizant of my surroundings. And all of a sudden I heard birds going, like, crazy and I heard, like, branches snapping. And then I remembered I was, like, hiking up a hill and I was hiking up a mountain called Bear Mountain. And I was like, right, there's bears here.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

So then I turned around and walked my sorry ass home. And it was not to be like, was the day after Brian Wilson died. So I was like, I have to be listening to the Beach Boys and Walk around and think about my life. And also I'm gonna start crying. I was like sobbing on the hike because I was listening to Surfs Up. Like, it's like, I think like the 13th Beach Boys album, which is like, so it just. Brian Wilson just got it more than anyone's ever got it. And I was really feeling it because, like, you know, he's talking about like, everybody's in the sun having fun in California and it's so nice out and everybody's boogie boarding and surfboarding and there's all these pretty girls and little shorts around. But like, why do I feel so abjectly sad? And like, why do I feel like I was born in the wrong time? I'm like walking around in the beautiful Victoria with these beautiful forests and bears all around and I'm like, fucking totally, man. Like, why do I feel like this?

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, I'm so excited to talk to you is. I feel like you've figured out a genuinely new way of doing Weekend Update, which is amazing since the show has been on famously for 50 years. And I want to pick one from this season and just talk about a little bit to figure out how you do what you do with the show. And the one I want to talk about is the original Nosferatu. What's up, little Nosferatu? Before we get into it, as sort of a baseline for you and horror movies, do you. Do you have your four favorite horror movies or four favorite horror monster types?

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, like I love Frank in Hellraiser. He's got no skin. He's a pervert. I love that. I mean, I like like these crazy, like, I love like the leprechaun. I don't know if that counts. I love like there's a big. The first thing that's coming to mind right now is this like crazy flesh monster TV from this movie Terror Vision. It's like a TV that like sucks you. Oh, speaking of a TV that sucks you off, there's this character, the Trickster from this movie Brain Scan that looks exact if you look it up or if. Do you guys do videos of this podcast?

[Jesse David Fox]

This is a video.

[Sarah Sherman]

Hey, put Trickster from Brain Scan right here. Look, don't we look exactly alike? He comes out of the TV and he sucks your mind. There's a bunch of freaky guys. Oh, I love Castle Freak. It's all in the name. He's the Castle freak and he lives in the dungeon in this big castle. And he is being very perverted to a 13 year old blind girl. And I like Him.

[Jesse David Fox]

Got it. I think we get a sense of it. So. So you do the character the first episode back from break. Do you see the movie during holiday break? Walk me through it.

[Sarah Sherman]

So I saw the movie at the Music Box. Chicago Shout out. And it's like, you gotta see Nosferatu in Chicago. Like, home of Svengoolie. Shout out to Svengoolie. I really liked the movie. I loved it. But he's so sexy that I was like, original Nosferatu is going to be pissed off about giant ripped Sarsgaard. Original Nosferatu is like a funny little. I mean, he's silent, so you can make him sound like whatever he wants.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

He's just got such a funny cartoon look to him.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you remember when you saw the.

[Sarah Sherman]

Original Nosferatu College stoned on YouTube? I really like the. Oh, my God. It's too early. Help. Help.

[Jesse David Fox]

I don't know. You need more. More senses.

[Sarah Sherman]

Help me.

[Jesse David Fox]

You like.

[Sarah Sherman]

Is his name the Nosferatu that I like? The Herzog Nosferatu. I like. I get him. He's just like a freaky loser. He's the one. He's the Nosferatu that really makes me feel about eternal loneliness and suffering. But, like, the only idea that I had for when I saw the new Nosferatu and I wrote in my little notebook, I just drew the picture of the hands. I was like, I don't know what I want to do for that, but I just want to go like that.

[Jesse David Fox]

And you did. To get from hands to the sketch. We have a week at snl. My favorite thing to do is walk through the famous SNL week. And that's what we're going to do now.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, okay.

[Jesse David Fox]

Ready?

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

Monday, the original pitch, you gather in Lauren's little office.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

And do you mention it there? Do you do fake pitches?

[Sarah Sherman]

I do fake pitches. There was. I don't think it was this week, but I had a pitch in that Monday. The Monday fake pitch. We don't want to burn our real ideas. So I think I pitched not that week, but I pitched. Oh, I did pitch a nose for auto thing. I don't think it was that weak. But you know how the trailer came out and it was just like. It was. It was just like a low drone and everything was, like, shadowy and dark and you, like, couldn't, like, see anything. And that was like when the reveal. That, like, cinematography was going to be, like, spooky or whatever. And I think I pitched a sketch that was like a trailer for the new Nosferatu and it's like critics are saying they couldn't see a fucking thing. Can someone turn the goddamn fudgeing lights on? And I think I bombed because, like, no one had seen the trailer at the time. Because I think it was like, the day the trailer came out.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

And I had another vampire pitch. I don't think I pitched it that week either. But of course, it's the character, the poop vampire and Ivan to suck your butt. So stuff like that, that will never see the light of day.

[Jesse David Fox]

When you pitched that, was that a fake pitch? Or you're like, this might work.

[Sarah Sherman]

I hate to say it, but part of me was like, this is not what.

[Jesse David Fox]

It's almost like you did a double. It's like, oh, I could pitch it as a fake, and then everyone will be like, you know what? That's like, actually might be good. What I thought was gonna be fake. But if you.

[Sarah Sherman]

I've pitched things that I like. I'm like, literally, this is bottom of the barrel actual shit from the bottom of an ass. And people are like, no, that's a scudge. And it'll be like. I think it was like the pitch. Like, I pitched a parody of Legally Blonde called Legally Brunette. And then, like, no one is surprised or impressed that she's, like, good at being a lawyer. Whatever.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's a good.

[Sarah Sherman]

I think I know. Everyone's like, that's a sketch. And I'm like, well, I don't care about that. I cared about the poop vampire that no one else seems to care about who. Obviously his mouth was like a tube that sucks shit out of your ass. My taste is so bad.

[Jesse David Fox]

No, I'm trying to think. His mouth had to be a tube, right? Because vampire's mouths aren't tube. It's like their mouths are still mouths. The sucking is right. Our mouths can suck regardless. But you wanted it to be.

[Sarah Sherman]

There's this one X Files monster from the first season that lives in the drain that has, like, a perfect circle mouth. Real heads are gonna know what I'm talking about. He lives in the drain. He, like, swims around the drains. And he's got a perfect. He's got a perfect red prolapsed anus circle mouth. And my goal on Saturday Night Live is playing basically that monster. So perfect circle mouth. I want to suck your butt. It's perfect.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, I want to suck your butt.

[Sarah Sherman]

The image of it here.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, I want to suck your butt. Is T shirts.

[Sarah Sherman]

It's Funko Pop. It's everything. It's mugs it's license plate.

[Jesse David Fox]

It's perfect. Yeah. You go to the NBC store and it's just like, I want to suck your butt. And everyone cheers. Even anytime you go on the show, people are cheering at you.

[Sarah Sherman]

This is the new Domingo.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Poop vampires. I mean, I can see it now, off Broadway.

[Jesse David Fox]

So then Tuesday set the scene. What time do you roll in on a Tuesday night?

[Sarah Sherman]

I'm like a real psycho. I've not learned work smart, not hard. I've not learned this. You can ask any of my co workers. I get there on Tuesday really fucking early. I get there at like one and I'll write on Monday night. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm slow, so I have to start Monday. A lot of people don't think of SNL as an office job, but it is. And I'm just not. I again, I gotta think, like, walking around or doing something crazy. Like, it's hard for me to, like, get stuff cooking just in a office.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Like, it's just. I mean, it's like 30 Rock is like a fat. I'm burping the burp vampire. It's like a. It's a fabulous building. Cool art deco, whatever. But there's a lot of fluorescent lights. You're in an office. Dan Bola, who I write with, will patiently stay up all night kind of thinking about things that we can write the next day. Then the next day I come in like 1, 2, panic, full panic, blackout, panic, and just try to fucking scrape some shit together. And I think I corralled it was Dan Bullough, Mike decenzo, and Josh Patton, who's a weekend update writer, I think. Jake Nordwind. Sorry, Jake. I have no memories anymore. Like, once the season is over, you're like factory reset. Right. But I think for some reason, the original idea was an update piece where the original Nosferatu reviews ice cream. And it was just like, I come out with a flight of ice cream and the only thing I say is, mmm, it's cold. That's my only. Well, needless to say, that wasn't the final.

[Jesse David Fox]

So the main game is, in this case, Nosferatu reviews ice cream. And then, like, Ann will put the Colin stuff in. Like, anytime you're doing the ones now that you do them, like, in character, you're not approaching it first. Like, cool. Like, well, the main thing is that we make fun of Colin. And then we'll do your code's like, I'm gonna do ice cream. And then we'll just knock out some Colin digs along the way it's like.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, what I'll usually start by. And my co workers can tell you this. And to my co workers, I apologize. I'll write a really long draft that goes to the table where I've thrown like a thousand ideas at the wall. I always, I always write a thing where it's like, I write a treat for myself where I'm like. And then I. Oh, a rat crawls out. So then a rat was supposed to crawl out and I like rip its head off and I drink the blood. And I was like, everyone that I'm writing with knows that my stupid bullshit isn't going to make it to air. They know that it's like, my stupid bullshit's not the funniest part. It's just something I really want to do. And I'll see at run through and at dress rehearsal that that's not the funniest part and I should let it go. But it takes me. I have to go there. The props have to be built. I have to try it. I have to feel it for myself. I'm so sorry. Props department, they've dealt with a lot of that. I'm sorry to the monkey boys, the people who build the puppets. And then we'll see how it does at table read. And then it just like starts pruning down from there. And the Colin jokes are just like relentless attempts at making sure we have laughs, laughs, laugh, laugh, laughs throughout. And especially, like, because nothing's foolproof. I'm constantly surprised about what works and what doesn't on the show. I never know. Literally never. It's like, I know that I can get a laugh if I say, like, you know, Colin, your penis is out. By the way. Funniest. By the way, we said that. I think the second I rolled out.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yes. No, you, you come out and you go, it's so much smaller than I thought it would be. Which is. How would I put it? It is a strained premise.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes. Yes, it is. Always.

[Jesse David Fox]

Because that's not really like a sentence someone would say. No, but.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, right. Because it's about the strange studio. Right?

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. So then he goes, yeah, the studio is smaller.

[Sarah Sherman]

And you're.

[Jesse David Fox]

But because it's. It. It's a thing that you might not get away with if it wasn't for that. You do you. There's a built in rhythm for these also. They're just getting to used to the fact that you're doing this voice and you're looking like that.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right.

[Jesse David Fox]

So they're like, okay, we'll Allow her to say, we'll allow it. We'll allow it. And then he said that.

[Sarah Sherman]

And then you say, it's weird, white and pointy. Yeah, that was. And. And that's the thing, like saying like, oh, your penis is just like me. Weird, white and pointy on the page. Not an amazing joke. Okay. On its feet. Not an amazing joke. I put the teeth on. Now we're cooking. A little bit funny, isn't it?

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. Now you're. Now you are pointy.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

In many ways the joke is just look how weird, white and pointy I am.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes. And it was like the funniest part to me as someone who I. I won't watch it back, really. Like, I won't. Whatever. I knew that my mouth was moving crazy because the teeth were so crazy because the teeth are so much longer than my actual teeth that, like, I couldn't bite down all the way and they curved inward so I had to, like, really jut my overbite over. And so I was opening my mouth really big. And I have tmj, so that was like, impossible for me.

[Jesse David Fox]

But the sacrifices you make.

[Sarah Sherman]

I mean, of course I have tmj. This fucking job just being like, you know, fucking no sleep, staying up all night every night, so stressed out, so uptight. I'm very uptight. And like, whatever. But yeah, the. I know. I'm still talking about the. Right? Oh, yeah. So then.

[Jesse David Fox]

So wait, a table. You do a much longer version. And. And at this point, everyone goes, we know there's a lot more, but we know because I think there. There's some people that like, how do I put this? Like, it can't. Like, they can't. It will be like, this has to be close enough to at least the structure of the sketch, give or take. Like, what is the process of them being. Like, some of this is working. Like, can we keep on writing it? Can this go to the rewrite table? Like, what are the conversations like when you do it? Like, does it. It play parts play well enough that you're getting a sense of where you're going?

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. And like, you'll. I'll get. You'll get into a rhythm of it. A rhythm will form. And like, the Colin roasting jokes are just like, nice. Like, I like to think of it as like, nice lily pads to land on where you can take a big swing with a joke. Well, for me, I thought I could take a big swing with a joke. Ripping a bat's rat's head off and drinking its blood as Long as you land on a Colin joke that you know will be a get a laugh. And then it's also like a nice challenge of like working within the framework of like a Colin joke. It's like, well, we've called him rich white pedophile in the Hamptons 4,000 times. Like, what are new ways we can say that?

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

It's like, you know, it is really fucking fun. And I always, I feel I'm always a little bit like, like, can I keep doing, like, ugh, does everyone think I'm like a one trick pony or whatever or whatever? But I think, think, I don't know, like, SNL sketch character stuff is so new for me and I'm not that amazing at it that I can like, it gives me like a structure to work from so that I can like try crazy voices and characters and stuff, which I wasn't doing when I first got there. Like, I, you know, it's just a newer thing for me. And then I was able to start trying doing crazy character voices because I had the framework and structure of the Colin jokes to work off of.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah. I think it's also like, I mean, one, the audience, though, the second time you did it, you're like, I can't believe we're doing the same old shit again.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

It takes the audience years to realize like, what a comedic game is or whatever where it's like you. So they're probably now by. Probably by your third year, but definitely by this point where you can do it in character and they know that there's. That part can be part of it.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right.

[Jesse David Fox]

Or it doesn't have to be, but like, that allows it for. Oh, you can do two things at once. Like, you essentially, like built on top of those, you built essentially a character on top of that existing game structure and then makes it the sub game. Now, this is actually two in the weeds for anybody. But does the question, oh, does Colin ever write the roast himself? He has he ever pitched any.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes, yes, he's great. Like, we'll do at run through because we'll do on the Saturday there will be. There's no blocking for weekend update bits. Like earlier in the week, actually, except for I famously have a lot of. They call them look sees, like either on the Thursday or Friday, which most weekend updates don't usually have. But I usually have so much fucking tech.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah. And the costumes and.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah, so they'll do it. Like, we really wanted to get that cool black and white white look for the Nosferatu cutaways and we really wanted. I was so obsessed because it all started with the hands. I was so obsessed with getting that cool shadow from the hands, like in the beginning. So we have like a tech run through, like, I think the night before, after everyone's blocked all their sketches at like one in the morning, just to see how that would look.

[Jesse David Fox]

Oh, and also Thursday, Friday, what is your conversations like with the costume thing when you're like, I mean, everyone knows what the old Nosferatu looks like, but, like, how are you? What. Obviously, as a person who does a lot of like, prosthetics and costumes and, and set things, even in what you can update, how do you interact with them to, like, make sure they're doing what is in your brain? As a person who used to do all that stuff yourself.

[Sarah Sherman]

They all know they're getting crazy texts from me sometimes. So Tom, the costume designer has gotten like literal five page PDF packets of me, like, drawing eight different versions of a costume. And he's like, you're crazy. Love you, Tom. But he act for that one. Like, he just went off. And that costume, I've never felt sexier in my life. I had a crazy, like, hunched shoulders thing that, like, I, you know, the, the makeup and costume, the way they inform the character for me, it's like legit everything. Like, you know, and then me and Louis, like, the makeup special effects artist, who, like, he's like my best friend there, will like, send each other a bunch of images back and forth because that was a reference that was like, already, you know, whatever. But, like, I knew about the fingers, but I didn't know, like, the fingers gonna. Were gonna be like, wiggly.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

So then it's like, oh, my God, now I'm having like, way too much fun with this. And like, you know, I, I've, like, I try not to, you know, you learn day one on snl. Like, don't read the comments. Like being on being on Saturday Night Live, which is the target of like, pure hatred and ire culturally, because it's just like something to do and something people do. It's like the second you get on SNL, it's like, get. You immediately get like 50 acid thrown in your face. That's like, you suck. Kill yourself, stupid, whatever. But I've seen. So I try not to read the comments, but I've seen like, you know, people comment on all my pictures. Like, you always break, like, you stupid idiot. You're always breaking, laughing at your own jokes. You smug. And I'm like, bro, like, Legit. I just put these fingers on five seconds ago. Found out they wiggled. I'm laughing. I'm having a lot of fun. So, like, I think you think you have a voice for the character. You think you have a physicality for the character. And then you put on this jacket that gives you a weird hunch. And then you get these fingers that are wiggly and long, and, like, you start moving differently, and all of a sudden, like, you actually have, like, physicality for the character. And then I kind of had a voice, but I didn't really. And then I put those fucking teeth on, which forced me to move my mouth in a really crazy way. And all of a sudden, I had, like, a new voice for it, and it was just like. And of course, I like. I love. As with the writing, like, I write a million things with a million props and whatever. Same with the makeup. I want it all. I want the bald cap, I want the ears. I want the fingers. I want. I want the fucking teeth. I want everything. So the Nosferatu at Run through had this crazy nose. And, like, Lauren's thing with me is like, well, we can't see your face. That could be any fucking person up there. That could be the fucking host. Nobody knows who that is. Take the something off.

[Jesse David Fox]

You know, it's like, that's it. In the years of people talking as Lord, they never had him sound like that.

[Sarah Sherman]

He sounds exactly like that. Not many people know that this is exactly verbatim, but so, like, I always have to take kind of, like, one thing off, and that's, like, another thing that I'm learning. Yeah. What does Coco Chanel say? Don't leave the house taking your big nose off. And then I wish I had my phone in here, but put the picture in here. No kidding.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. And we can steal. Send us the photo later.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. Louie made me for, like, the end of the season. He made me, like, a little, like, doll action figure of the Nosferatu. We did with all the fingers.

[Jesse David Fox]

I mean, I will say this just in case the people who are mad at you for breaking are also watching this. You're. You are. When you're these characters, they are often making jokes, right? Like, Nosferatu is making fun of Colin on purpose. It's not like, sue me for having.

[Sarah Sherman]

Fun and making a joke. We're like, well, that's another thing. It's like, you want to see someone who's miserable on stage, and that's. That. That's like another. It's not like, you know, I think there's this weird thing in Stand up, too, that people don't like when a comedian laughs at their own jokes. I do. I like seeing Joy.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

I also. I try not to break just out of, like, professionalism and. Yeah, whatever. Trying to just do the job. It's all, like, new. I don't think people think about that. Like, this was an idea we heard about three days ago, so it's still new.

[Jesse David Fox]

The other thing about you and Lauren I want to ask about is that apparently you text Lauren. This is the thing that old SNL cast members will bring up out of jealousy, is that you text Lauren. What does Lauren text?

[Sarah Sherman]

Like, he's funny, and he uses an economy of words, which, as you can tell from this interview, I don't. He's, like, a funny texter, and it's very, like, straight and to the point.

[Jesse David Fox]

So you're like. And he's like. And I'll be like, yeah, all right.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. And he's always funny. So, like, I am. I don't know if this is, like, tmi. Yeah, whatever. We'll see. I got a giant envelope in the mail, and it was, like, handwritten with, like, a handwritten letter that was like, hey, it's. I'm Gilda Radner's brother. Weird thing happened where I've been receiving, like, all of your residuals checks for the past few months. And he, like, sent it to me. Like, by the way, you're, like, really great on the show. Like, whatever. And I started, like, hysterically sobbing, obviously, because I'm like, okay, God's speaking to me right now. The fact that my SAG residuals checks. Shout out union. My SAG residuals checks have been sent to Gilda Radner's estate. I'm like, hello. Hello. I see. Like. And I was like, sobbing. I was like. I texted Lauren. I was like, oh, my God.

[Jesse David Fox]

I've been.

[Sarah Sherman]

My. My checks have been sent to Gilda Ratner's estate. Isn't this, like, a crazy coincidence? I feel like this is, like, a miracle. Or, like, I feel like this is, like a spirit is talking, you know, obviously sent. Like, that's a schizophrenic text message. And Lauren was like, that's sweet. I got it. That's sweet.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, it's nice.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

All right, so back to Saturday. You're talking about running through Colin pitching jokes about himself.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah, go. Because he's a really good. He's a really good joke writer. So, you know, we'll probably. He's good at, like, condensing and Cause you gotta shave off time. I mean, that's another thing. Like, things have to be short because you wanna make sure all your friends get their shit on, which can be really tough to do. You know, you're like, I don't want to kill these jokes, but, like, you kind of have to. So he's really helpful with, like, smallening it and concise ifying it. Perfect words.

[Jesse David Fox]

Is there jokes that he rejected that you feel, though he rejected them being on us now you feel fine. And in the history of you doing the Weekend Update making fun of him.

[Sarah Sherman]

He'S never said something's too far? No, never.

[Jesse David Fox]

It's wild.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know there is. Like, yeah. I mean, I've literally said he was a pedophile.

[Jesse David Fox]

The one that I thought were. When you started also implying that he sexually, like, abused me, a child. Yeah. And like, interns and stuff like that.

[Sarah Sherman]

You're like, I put an intern in a cage, and I did his fake office. There was a cage with Ben Silva writer in it. And I said, that was an intern he kept in there.

[Jesse David Fox]

And it's like, yeah, that in this one you have. Please don't touch me with your cold, slimy fingers. And you said, said former. Your former assistant.

[Sarah Sherman]

It's a good joke. I think Josh Patton wrote that. That's a good joke. Well, here's another thing that I love about doing Weekend Updates is, like, you get the. Actually the most fun part of the week. I mean, besides everything else that I described as being really fun, actually probably putting on the fingers is the most fun part.

[Jesse David Fox]

But okay, second most fun.

[Sarah Sherman]

Second most fun is the rewrite table, because you're shopping for jokes. It's like, is this fucking Christmas? This is fucking amazing. So, like, you'll. For Weekend Update pieces, you have, like, all the writers show up to your table, and we can update writers. And they're, like, really good joke writers. So you get to go joke shopping with, like, a million funny people. And it's even more joke writers than at a regular sketch rewrite table. So. And because, like, you know, I do a lot of Colin jokes, you know, we've all worked this muscle for the past, like, four years. I've been on the show for four years. Thought I would have had a Funko Pop at the NBC store by now. It's okay. I think we're on.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, the hard part is you can't do a Nosferatu. Well, is Nosferatu in the public domain? I'm like, oh, could you do a Nosferatu Funko Pop? But it's us, Nosferatu.

[Sarah Sherman]

But it's like no one watches my sketches. They're never going to be in the NBC that is. You do.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's not even true.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, there's like a big. Everyone makes fun of me. I've never had a sketch go viral that I've made. That's okay. I'm sure it's, you know, it.

[Jesse David Fox]

All your updates do the same exact of. Really?

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, yes, exactly.

[Jesse David Fox]

So it is funny. Be like the exact same 1 million people. Yes, tune in to watch exactly that.

[Sarah Sherman]

I mean, I'd love to break a million.

[Jesse David Fox]

They didn't break a billion. This one is over a million.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, really?

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Okay.

[Jesse David Fox]

And that's just on YouTube. Who knows? Now they put them on tick tock and everything.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right? What goes on there? What goes on?

[Jesse David Fox]

So Saturday. Yeah, so rewrite table Saturday. Let's get to show.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

How are you feeling right before a show? Well, does it change between dress and air?

[Sarah Sherman]

I mean, well, because. Yeah, because, by the way, I've been kicking and screaming. I've been. Yes. So it's like Saturday run through. You're like wearing. You're wearing the costume and partial makeup just to kind of see what it looks like. I've got my flight of ice cream for my big ice cream. Joe.

[Jesse David Fox]

The ice cream is so still there on Saturday.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yep.

[Jesse David Fox]

Unreal.

[Sarah Sherman]

Am kicking and screaming about my. I'm like, I need. We need to see it on its feet. We don't know if it's not funny. And, you know, everyone, you know, Dan and De and Josh are so used to this shit by now. I'm like, I have to bite the fucking rat's head off and drink the blood. And they're like, all right, let her do her thing. And obviously by the time on Saturday at run through, I'm like, I see what you. You all have been saying. The rat biting the rat's head off and drinking his blood isn't as funny as all the other actual jokes we have in here. Respect, my apologies to everyone, but by that point, you know, someone has had to build a rat. And by the way, I've been in conversation with the rat person. They're like, how do you want to drink the blood? I'm like, well, I want the body to be squeezy so I can be like. I could squeeze it like a Gatorade commercial. Blood all over my face. It's a beautiful rat with a detachable head. All like this has ha. And then I see egg on my face that it's not as funny as everything else, and it usually eats up more time. Like, all my favorite stuff is all this, like, gaggy prop shit. And that always takes more time, which means that, you know, you want to shave off time so that other people can get their stuff on the show.

[Jesse David Fox]

So you didn't, but you still did the rat address, I think.

[Sarah Sherman]

I think so.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's wild.

[Sarah Sherman]

But everyone knows. Let Sarah do her thing and have her temper. Temper tantrum. Like, are.

[Jesse David Fox]

You are. Like, when you say temper tantrum.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know I'm.

[Jesse David Fox]

No, I don't know. Like, I don't know if is your reputation of. And not in a bad way. Where it's just like, you'll be like, fighting. It's like, we have to have the rat.

[Sarah Sherman]

It's like, come on. Like, we got it. Like, it could be really funny, guys. And everyone's like, okay, whatever. They know it's not gonna. Like, there was. I did my second season, I did this segment called Sarah News, and I, like, had all these, like, crazy animations and, you know, it was just, you know, Sarah World stuff or whatever, and just funny jokes. It was just funny jokes about, like, the news and Colin or whatever, the news. There's me being like, john Fetterman makes my wet. Taking that one back. Jesus. Don't do jokes about loving politicians, I'll tell you that. It's not gonna age well. Jesus Christ. So at the end of the bit, I really wanted this puppet of my zit. Of a zit to come out and be like, sarah, I love on your face. Whatever. I wrote it with pdd.

[Jesse David Fox]

Please don't destroy.

[Sarah Sherman]

Please don't destroy. And Dan Bulla. They're like, zit puppet's not funny. It's not working. You have all these other funny jokes. I was like, well, we'll see it on its feet. We'll see how it plays out in the flesh. We'll. We'll get it on its feet, like, see if it has legs. They're like, everyone's humoring me. Dress rehearsal. Puppet comes out. Obviously all the energy is sucked out of the room. It was such a good momentum. The. The zit joke wasn't funny, but I'm like, look at the fucking zit. It looks amazing. My friend Dylan Pakora, who does. Who works at Monkey Boys, who builds a bunch of puppets, like, gets my shit build. The perfect zip puppet had, like, big bloodshot eyeballs and, like, pustules and arms. But everyone knew, like, it's not going to be in the thing. And then we do it at like, dress. And all the laughs stop for the last 30 seconds. Which you would argue is the most important part. Cuz as your closer, you know, Colin's like, all right, let's lose. Everyone's like, we're losing the puppet. But it's like everyone humored me the.

[Jesse David Fox]

Whole week that they humor you there.

[Sarah Sherman]

They humor me a lot. Yes. It's crazy.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. But I guess they're like, it works part of the process. So that you're excited.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

Right. If someone pitch you notes for Auto. But. And you're like, what if he has ice cream? And you're like, no, dead rat. It's actually just gonna be jokes like this.

[Sarah Sherman]

I would be like, then I quit, actually the entire job and I'm moving to a different country.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. And like, no, we'll let it because you still get the week of doing it.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

So that's fun.

[Sarah Sherman]

And again. And it's.

[Jesse David Fox]

That just. That's. Can we just accept that's my process four years in.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. I mean, well, there was. There was a sketch that got cut. May she rest. It got cut. Have you ever heard of a sketch being cut on a Friday? That it happens? I've written something so unfunny. It gets cut on a Friday. It was like my first year, I really wanted to put my head in a tank with a tarantula. And everyone's like, it's a fucking live comedy show with lights and cameras and screaming. You're not going to want to put your head in a tank with a tarantula. And I was like, everybody's going to humor me about this. It'll be fun. They literally had to bring in an animal expert to tell me to my face. He brought the tarantula. He had it on his hand. And he was like, you see these hairs on the tarantula? When this tarantula gets stressed out, these hairs fly off and will go into your eyes and they will burn them. But they had to bring in the tarantula.

[Jesse David Fox]

It is the most bizarre version of high maintenance like, that ever existed. It was like, I need this tarantula. They're like, okay, okay, here's the tarantula.

[Sarah Sherman]

But how else would I know?

[Jesse David Fox]

I didn't know that about tarantulas. And now you have a fun fact about tarantulas.

[Sarah Sherman]

Exactly. But you know, NBC had to foot the bill that day for the tarantula.

[Advertiser]

Support for this show comes from pure leaf iced tea. You know that point in the afternoon when you just hit a wall? You don't have time for self care rituals or getting some fresh air. So maybe you grab a beverage to bring you back, but somehow it doesn't do the trick or it leaves you feeling even worse. What you need is a quality break, a tea break. And you can do that with pure leaf iced tea with real brewed tea made in a variety of bold and refreshing flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. With a pure leaf iced tea in hand, you'll be left feeling refreshed and revitalized with a new motivation to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit the reset button, grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf.

[Jesse David Fox]

The Disney Hulu Max Bundle. It's the ultimate bundle for an unbelievable.

[Sarah Sherman]

Price plan starting at $16.99 a get it and watch Marvel Television's Ironheart on Disney. I want to build something iconic. A new season of the Bear on Hulu.

[Jesse David Fox]

We can make people happy.

[Sarah Sherman]

And the epic A Minecraft movie on Max.

[Jesse David Fox]

Anything you can imagine is possible.

[Sarah Sherman]

The Disney Hulu Max Bundle plan starting at $16.99 a month. All these and more streaming soon. Terms apply.

[Jesse David Fox]

Visit disneyplushoolumaxbundle.com for details. Fourth of July Savings are here at the Home Depot, so it's time to get your grilling on. Pick up The Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker now on special buy for $389 was $5.49. Smoke a rack of ribs or bacon apple pie. This grill is versatile enough to do it all this summer. No matter how you like your steaks, your barbecues are guaranteed to be well done. Celebrate 4th of July with fast free delivery on select grills right now at the Home Depot. Subject so it airs. I want to run through a few of the jokes that we didn't touch on that are really good. There is.

[Sarah Sherman]

I would love, I mean I.

[Jesse David Fox]

The sit up bit.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, the sit up bit. That's Josh Patton.

[Jesse David Fox]

So funny.

[Sarah Sherman]

Amazing. And my core. I had to engage my core for real. I think I did it twice because it was so fun.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

I mean that's another problem with me. It's like I have no decorum. I have no dignity. I have no elegance. I have no class. It was too fun to not do again.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

There's another moment like that which is so you have the. It gets to the part where you're like, suck on your nose. He's like, don't suck on my Nose. Something about there being blood. You had to get a lot to get to this part, but it was worth it, which is sucking your nose, really. No, thanks. I don't want to be up all night.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right.

[Jesse David Fox]

And the audience gets it, which is nice, right?

[Sarah Sherman]

They're like, oh, you're a cokehead pedophile.

[Jesse David Fox]

And then you go. Because of the cocaine color.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right?

[Jesse David Fox]

Which already probably don't need it.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right.

[Jesse David Fox]

And then. Do you know that you remember the joke?

[Sarah Sherman]

You say, oh, I don't want to be up all night because of the cocaine.

[Jesse David Fox]

Colin Nosferatu.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, you got a nose for coke, dude. Funny. That's funny.

[Jesse David Fox]

But that is a type of joke that I'm like, well, Sarah loves jokes like that. Of course.

[Sarah Sherman]

Wait till you see an hour and a half of my Santa. Jesus Christ.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you remember that? That whole run, the writing of that run, or even.

[Sarah Sherman]

I think it's just like, when stuff is so dumb, it's like, if it's that dumb, you just gotta, like, come on. This is like lizard brain. Like, there's a. There's like, no math or science that could figure out why that's funny. But it's not funny to most people. What it is to me.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. And you get. It's. You got the first joke. That was good.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

So then you have.

[Sarah Sherman]

You've earned a play. I get to play.

[Jesse David Fox]

So the end of it ends. The joke. At the end, you remember what the joke ends.

[Sarah Sherman]

Is it the blood on the field? Damn. That's a damn bullet. 3.

[Jesse David Fox]

So I want to visit Sarah Sherman. She's been on her period for three years straight, Right. Which already.

[Sarah Sherman]

Who knows what that means? There's. Sure.

[Jesse David Fox]

But that is the benefit of the character that you've created, which is like, yeah, something's going on with her. Maybe that's it. And then you have Colin say, well, you know what I always say? If there's blood on the field, play ball.

[Sarah Sherman]

I've. But by the way, I have literal chills from that stunning sentence. I had, like, never heard if there's grass on the play ball. So, like, when. Damn bull, I'm outing you. Good joke, brother. When he said that joke, I was like, oh, what? I didn't even know that was a thing anyone had ever said. Like, the grass on the field thing, I was shook. Shiver me timbers. And if it's. If I'm that gagged, it's in.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

That's a crazy thing to say.

[Jesse David Fox]

What was it like Saturday night? You're doing it. It's going well already. But you're like, we got this. How's it feel? Have the audience go through. Because the. Just the. The period part they laugh at. But, like, it has the, oh, there's grossness feeling that you or have done in a lot of these Weekend Update things. And then you have that line. Do you remember the feeling of it or in general, like, when you. That mixture of, like, this audience is grossed out as the setup for which I think is a mixture. You, like, talk about it.

[Sarah Sherman]

I enjoy repulsion, so if I hear oohs, ahhs, nos, I'm in heaven. But there is a. I get, like, suicidal during the live show because you just had the dress rehearsal. It was so loose. It was so fun. And now you have. Now you have to do it for real, and it has to be good. And I opened my mouth. I remember wheeling out. I opened my mouth and, like, I had been practicing the voice with the teeth on so much that, like, my jaw was sore. And I felt like as soon as I fucking opened my mouth, I was like, God fucking damn it. I did not do it as funny. I'm not doing it as funny right now as I did it during the dress rehearsal. And so I'm in my head the whole time, like, God fucking damn it. Like, I'm not. I'm not tearing it right now. I'm not, like, fucking nailing it, like, and I'm like, kind of law. I'm like, kind of in my head, that whole performance being like, what the am I doing? Like, what? It was so much funnier. What am I doing? Freaking out the whole time. Then I think every time I do this, I'm having a little. Like, that's when I can, like, center myself. And I'm like, I know I'm having fun. But then every time I do something, I'm like, God damn it, I did it funnier the last time. Or like, the sit up. I think I did twice because I'm spinning out and I'm not present. And I did something physical and that grounded me and remember reminds me of, like, that's what's fun for me and, like, doing so I think I did it twice because it was, like, fun for me. But then I, like, I get off stage, and I'm just, like, suicidal. I'm just like, I beefed it. That's my bit. I always say that. I'm like, I beefed it. I'm sorry. I beefed it. Everyone's like, you know, it's like, all the writers are there, and I feel bad because I'm like, I want to give them the experience of, like, yo, we just nailed it. It's a party. Like, I made you guys up for three nights straight, all night work on this stupid. Like, let's. You know, a reward is. Would be, like, a smile or a good vibe. And I just get off stage, like, morose. Like, I'm sorry I beefed it. I shat the bed wasn't as funny. Was. And then I legit make Mike Desenzo because he'll do it. He's a psycho, just like me. I make him watch the dress and.

[Jesse David Fox]

The live, like, the next day or.

[Sarah Sherman]

Like, like, then if I have time.

[Jesse David Fox]

Like, right, Saturday night airs.

[Sarah Sherman]

I'm like, it wasn't as good. Go beat for beat. And he'll do it. He'll do it and be like, he'll go in with an X acto knife. And beat for beat was this funnier. This beat was this beat funnier. And, like, it's always the same. But I'm so. Like, this last time, this last. I think I did. The last update bit I did was like, I was a Collins accountant, and I, like, had a gag where, like, I would say something about him and then start, like, writing on a piece of paper after I just called him a pedophile or whatever. And then, like, use the laugh time to be like, I'm writing with a pencil. And after I did it in the air show, I, like, got off stage. I was like, I wasn't being fucking funny with the pencils. I'm gonna fucking kill myself. I'm like, mike decenzo, can you go watch dress and Air and tell me if I'm being funny with the pencils? And I'm like, storming through the hallway being like, I fucked it. And Kieran Kulfkin came up to me and he was like, oh, that was funny. And I was like, I didn't do this funny thing where I draw with two pens. I. Where I have two pencils in my hand at the same time. He was like, literally for four minutes. I saw you with two pencils in your hand at the same time. I don't know what you're talking about.

[Jesse David Fox]

You thought you didn't do it.

[Sarah Sherman]

I don't know. Like, I just get. So it's this, like, dress rehearsal and air thing that makes you crazy because it's like, dress is loose and fun and hot and crazy. There's cameras aren't recording. I mean, it's not live.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

And then the second the pressure is on, I'm just like, God damn it. Like, I've lost all the looseness, and I'm, like, critical. I'm just such a bummer. Like, literally. I like, even at the after party, the sketch is already on YouTube.

[Jesse David Fox]

Mike Decentral already has walked through each.

[Sarah Sherman]

Step, and I'm like, I make him pull out the phone and be like. Like, because we have all the sketches on a Dropbox on the phone, I'm like, just watch it and tell me if I this lineup. Like, I can't get over. Like, we did an oasis, this update at the beginning of the year that obviously everyone hated whatever. Shout out Liam Gallagher, rockstar. Well, Liam Gallagher hated it, which is how, you know, you like. I'm like an angel just kissed him.

[Jesse David Fox]

Imagine. He was like, I thought it was really good.

[Sarah Sherman]

Something would have been wrong.

[Jesse David Fox]

That'd be so weird.

[Sarah Sherman]

He's. He's. He's the hater of a generation. He's been. He sips on that hater. If he wasn't sipping on the haterade. It's like, we would have done something wrong to get, like, For. For Liam Gallagher to be like, this is shite. I was like, is. Christmas came early this year.

[Jesse David Fox]

We never call things legend.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know. Well, I actually. I watched a video of he's like, the funniest person alive, which is, like, by the way, doing a sketch where you're impersonating the funniest person alive. It's like, might as well sign a fudgeing death sentence. You kidding me? He said in a video, he's like. He called SpongeBob a legend. A legend. And I was like, that's the funniest thing anyone's ever said. So we stole that game. But I misspoke a joke in that update. This was half a year ago at this point. It still keeps me up at night. I feel suicidal about it. Like, we were supposed to say, tommy Pickles bald legend, and I, like, looked off cards and I just said, tommy Pickles legend, And I was like, well, I ruined the funniest part of the goddamn joke. Tommy Pickles bald legend is way funnier.

[Jesse David Fox]

Than Tommy Pickles legend because you said a few times. I do feel like it's my responsibility. It's like, are you. Are you okay?

[Sarah Sherman]

Definitely not.

[Jesse David Fox]

But you're, like, normal.

[Sarah Sherman]

I'm having fun.

[Jesse David Fox]

All right, cool.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

I just feel bad, like, if every episode you're like. And then I'm gonna. You talk about killing yourself and stuff.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, yeah. Yeah. Anyone. If you could walk a mile in my shoes, if you could walk 45 inches in my shoes. You. It's crazy. Like, I think the suicidal feeling that I'm jokingly referring to is like, I kept these people up all night writing jokes.

[Jesse David Fox]

You feel bad.

[Sarah Sherman]

And I'm like, it's your responsibility to take it over the finish line. And I'm like, if I'm not being the most funniest, if I'm not being funny Boots about this right now. It's like, why did Louis make the fingers? Why did Tom put the shoulder pads in the jacket? Why did Josh stay up all night with my sorry ass on final draft making sure every. You know what I mean? It's just, like, crazy.

[Jesse David Fox]

And you. At any point, do you then go, I think it went okay. Like. Like Nosferatu seemly you were happy that you did it, or do you have to just accept that? Like, you completely have to divorce from the fact that is a. That it is a final product and SNL is just. Well, you. Everyone got to have that week where they wrote jokes or whatever. Like, you have to forget that it's work, and you have to forget that it's a product. And you're like, well, I liked making Nosferatu.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. And, like, now I can, like, look back at it and be like, it was really fun to set up. And, like, the writing was. Process was so fun. And, like, I loved the teeth, and that was so fun. And, like. Like, Lauren's big thing is, like. Because, like, he knows, like, I'm a psycho, and he's like, it's live. Things like the. The. The show. I wish it would have imprinted more on me. This, like, letting go. It's a little. It has. After four years, I've learned to let go. But, like, it forces you to just be like, you're. Be present. It's live. It's messy. We wrote it two days ago. Like, let go.

[Jesse David Fox]

If it was better, it'd be worse. Is how I think of snl. If.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes, yes, yes. It's about.

[Jesse David Fox]

If everyone was nailing their beats every episode. 9. It would be an unwatchable show of people. Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's like. Especially as, like, all the Internet is AI content. The fact that there's a show where people mess up on live television is legitimately thrilling.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes. And it's. There's nothing else like that anymore. It's like an old. You gotta see the cameras. There are these giant old cameras on cranes. Broadcast television. Like, it's old timey, fabulous old show business that doesn't exist anymore. And everyone tries Their best to not mess up. I mean, I think maybe that's actually what pisses me off about people being mad about breaking. It's like, for me, there's so much joy, obviously that I have at the job, but it is so scary and hard that it's like, for anyone to be fucking critical of, like, the small beams of joy you can actually get in the midst of a full level 10 panic attack, freak out. It's like, let me live. Let me live.

[Jesse David Fox]

Did you ever hear from what Lauren thought about Nosferatu?

[Sarah Sherman]

I just knew that he was like, there's too much on your face.

[Jesse David Fox]

He wants to see your face.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know. Well, his favorite thing that I did this year, he loved the Jack Black in the sky thing.

[Jesse David Fox]

Have it on this.

[Sarah Sherman]

That was his favorite thing he loved because I think he.

[Jesse David Fox]

So it's called. It's called making love.

[Sarah Sherman]

It is.

[Jesse David Fox]

The basic premise is you and Jack Black are flying in the sky and thinking about making love.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes. Because it's sex. Simulation of sex or it's the metaphor of sex.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yes.

[Sarah Sherman]

On wires.

[Jesse David Fox]

What. Where did that come from? What was it like to do? Did you pitch a sketch when you were singing? I feel like, of course not.

[Sarah Sherman]

Of course I didn't. Allison Gates, one of the head writers, wrote it and she's like a low key, amazing musician, but she's so humble. It's like, I didn't realize that every time she wrote a musical sketch, because she writes a lot of them, I didn't realize she was playing the fucking music. Like she wrote the music.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's crazy.

[Sarah Sherman]

Allison Bragmore. But I was so honored to. They just put me in the sketch. And I was so honored because it was like, it just felt like a big job or something like that they would trust me being like, okay, you're on wires, you're in harness, you're singing in the sky. And you have to just like, convincingly sell that you're like a woman who's a normal woman who's acting, which is hard for me. Like.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yes. Talk about Sarah normal.

[Sarah Sherman]

Sarah normal. There's a lot of serenormal activity. Well, I mean, that's been. That was my season. This season was there. This season was Sara normal. Like, my first two seasons was like, you know, they're like, just figuring out who you are. So it's like they let us make a sketch where I play Chucky where it's like my head on a dummy body and it's like, you know, they know that that's my comfort zone. And whatever. And the past two seasons are people being like, well, maybe she can straight man a sketch and maybe she can convincingly emote, you know, because. And that's the hardest thing for me. It's like, in order to make jokes, in order to make a sketch work, sometimes you do need someone to be really grounded and just like acting the house down boots a little bit. And so the past two years has been people slowly incorporating me as normal woman in their sketch.

[Jesse David Fox]

Girlfriend wearing wig, girlfriend blonde normal wig.

[Sarah Sherman]

Blonde normal woman and Taylor Loft shirts reacting convincingly. And like with the making love sketch, because I was like, I'm in the sky with Jack Black and we're like doing flips in the air. I was like, really hammy because it's. Sometimes it's hard for me to break out of that.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

And it was so fun that I just like went to my like, reflex performance mode, which is just like, whatever. And like Celeste Diem and Allison had to be like, they sat me down and they're like, it's gonna have to be sarasexual. Like, actually not just like, like, it has to actually be like, to sell the sketch, you kind of have to be normal Sarah. Normal Sarah. Sex. And I was like, it was really hard for me. But I'm, I'm learning. I'm. That. That's. The whole job has been a learning experience. And a. I never in a billion, trillion years, like, thought this was gonna be my life. And it's just, I'm learning.

[Jesse David Fox]

I'm learning because you're just doing stand.

[Sarah Sherman]

Up performance arts, like really crazy, really, really crazy stuff. So, you know, literally, like throwing my real pubes at an audience. Like. Yeah, I know it didn't have to be real pubes, but whatever it was, I can't save money then have to.

[Jesse David Fox]

Buy pubes at the store.

[Sarah Sherman]

No. When I can grow it back fast. So, Tris, you better trust and believe I'm a Chia Pet in that way. But yeah, it's just been like a. Okay, I can do this. I can. It's hard to be the straight man because you have to do what a sketch is calling for. You have to understand what your role is in a sketch to make a joke work.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, the jacket. The joke is the scenario. So you, you cannot be pushing because the scenario will break if you're then trying to make jokes on top of it.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes. And Jack Black is supposed to be getting the laugh lines doing flips in the sky.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

And so Celeste and Allison are like, Sarah, you gotta do It. You gotta be Sarah. Normal sarasexual. And I was like, okay, I can try.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you have a sense of why they had you do it and not want any of the other women?

[Sarah Sherman]

I think also people know I'm like, pretty down. So they know that I. I have no problem with being on a harness in the sky.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

Like, I. I especially like, in, like, Dan Bulla knows he can spray me with blood. And it's like, I'm like, totally down with it. Everybody's down, but I do you'll, like, make your week. Yeah, I'll be. I like being inconvenienced.

[Jesse David Fox]

Speaking of. Speaking of you being spread. Sprayed. Spread. Sprayed with blood. The gallbladder surgery sketch where you play.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

Leslie. Leslie.

[Sarah Sherman]

Leslie Lizzli.

[Jesse David Fox]

Which is just a person in surgery who is bad at their job. Broadly fine. But then sketch becomes a different thing, which is Adam Sandler is the person.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

Who is being operated on and then is spraying people with blood and giving a speech and the thing isn't working. And then you're there. Talk about that sketch and being there, which in that is a situation where everyone breaks because the. I have no idea what that sketch was like.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

When it was. But, like, it was a thing where the sketch was almost like, let's make it so, like, it will break organically, but we're going to push it as far as it can. That's what.

[Sarah Sherman]

We didn't know that Sandler was going to be the dead body. Well, no, sorry. The operated on body until maybe later in the week. And so I don't remember what the original sketch was, but I don't think the body had much character. And then once we found out it was Sandler, we were like, so, like, you know, we had a whole ending, but I don't think. I think that the. Also, this was like, that sketch was like another instance of, like, biting a rat's head off. Because there was like, there was like, a part where I was holding the patient's beating heart and it was spraying blood everywhere. And I'm like, did I do something wrong? Is everybody mad at me? Holding the patient's bleeding heart? And I think that was the out. And I think everyone knew, like, that's not gonna be the out. But I was like, come on, let me, like, fucking have the beating heart. So, like, poor Louis had to build, like, a beating heart that was shooting blood, by the way. Not the first time I've had a bleeding blood shooting heart.

[Jesse David Fox]

She was using the same one.

[Sarah Sherman]

They needed it to be Smaller, but because I do have one. But also, by the way, that. That's another thing that got cut from another thing that I wrote. So it's like it's always never making it in. Also, like, a beating heart prop. It's like it's a heart, and then there's like a little loop with a string on it, and you pull it with your finger to make it look like it's beating.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's cool.

[Sarah Sherman]

Like a Peewee Herman doll. Yeah, or like a. Hi, I'm Chucky. You want to play? So that's how you make it beat. Whatever. And I know about this because, of course, I've written to a million sketches and never makes it so. But the, you know, between dress and air, I think we had to cut out, like, full minutes. So I think we didn't. So much changes, especially when you have, like, a livewire effect that, like, the blood spray wasn't working because I think we had cut out so much that, like, the effects didn't know where to. When to go. And so this weird thing happens where, like, I'm going to check on the tube to make sure that the tube is spraying blood. And I grab it. I like, realize in the moment it's not working. So I go down there, I grab the tube, and I get it to spray me in the face, because I'm like. Then if I show people that my face is covered in blood, they'll know there's supposed to be a spray of blood or something. That's another thing. When something goes wrong like that, you have 2.02 seconds to figure out what to do. And it's Sandler. So then he knew, like, he's a pro. He's the goat. So he knew how to cover in that time.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

And it was also funny because he sits up and you see his, like, full Adam Sandler, like, Hawaiian, like, underneath his, like, prosthetics, like, goat.

[Jesse David Fox]

You. You've toured. You've. You've been in Adam Sandler movie, you've tourism. But do you have Adam Sandler's story that captures the Sandman the most.

[Sarah Sherman]

Sandman thing is just like, every time he sees you, he just goes. Anytime you talk to him on the phone, anytime you see him, he goes, how's your mother? How's your father? How are you, Bubby? Love you. And, like, the fact that, you know, his last special was called love you, that is just the most Sandler thing ever. It's just like, love you. Love you, Bubby. Give up, give you, give my love to your mother. Give my love to your father. That's so him. And it's like, he gets it. The special did such a good job at, like, the beginning of it is like, you know, he's getting mobbed by people, and he tells them, like, love you. Because he does that. Like, I've seen him on the street, like, horror. Like, full hordes, like, New Orleans parades of people. Like, being like, adam Sandler goes, everyone love you, bubby. Love you. He's just like, that's world peace, y' all.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's world.

[Sarah Sherman]

That's world peace, y' all.

[Jesse David Fox]

So I don't know if you heard, but this is. This was the 50th season of Saturday Night Live.

[Sarah Sherman]

No.

[Jesse David Fox]

And there was this anniversary special, and you were all over it.

[Sarah Sherman]

I was, wasn't I?

[Jesse David Fox]

You're on stage with the B52s, and then you're in, like.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, I begged for that. Me and Bone were like, we heard that the B52s were playing. Immediately texted every single person. I was like, me and Bowen have to be on stage with them. It's awesome.

[Jesse David Fox]

So the two sketches, you're. You're the triumphant return of Sarah Normal as one of the bridesmaids in Domingo, which you've been.

[Sarah Sherman]

No one knows that I'm in there. Like, that's the thing about Sarah Normal. No one has any idea who that woman is.

[Jesse David Fox]

It's like they. They're like, oh, they cast someone else just to fill out the picture. And it's like, it's fully you.

[Sarah Sherman]

My mom watches the show live every week. She takes photos of her TV every time I'm on screen and posts it on Instagram so that her friends know which ones I am because they can never tell. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

What is. What is it like to be in the eye of the Domingo storm as the person people don't realize is in the sketch?

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, people like. I didn't realize it was viral until people were, like, complimenting me like, yo, congrats on that sketch. And I was like. I'm like, what were they like? I was like, oh, maybe they were talking about, like, a sketch. Eye roll. Like, I don't know. Maybe they were talking about a weekend. And it was. I didn't realize at the time that it was, like, a sensation that was sweeping the nation. And I found out because people in person were congratulating people who, I guess it would recognize. Sarah Normal. And I was like, what is everyone talking about? I was like, holy. I didn't realize that. I was like, 89 billion views on YouTube and I'm like, not on Tick Tock. So I was like, I don't know what the youth are talking about.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah, it's on Tick. It's most popular sketch in the history of Tick Tock. Really? Because it's like I. Well, not the history of SNL on Tick Tock. But I think it's partly like just the fact of Ariana singing badly.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

Alone was a premise that they'd be like, yes, that would go viral as it is.

[Sarah Sherman]

And that earworm espresso viral song. And then the Marcelo quotient.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yes. When you're.

[Sarah Sherman]

No, the girls are gonna go crazy.

[Jesse David Fox]

When you were rehearsing it the first time where you're like, storms of storms are brewing. No, you're just.

[Sarah Sherman]

You're like, you're like doing a. That's the 90th sketch you've blocked that day. You're on no sleep, you're starving. It's like, you're just like, you know, whatever. And it was us, like, you know, really, us nincompoops. Me, Eggo and Heidi really trying to nail the choreo. Really just like, just over and over us, like really like over and over again. Having to block it a lot because we like, whatever. And it's so funny people being like, oh my God, you guys, this bad. Singing was so funny. And it's like we were trying to sing, by the way. That's us trying to sing.

[Jesse David Fox]

You're also in the New York musical.

[Sarah Sherman]

As Michael Bloomberg with the hilarious Mulaney joke. Great impression, Sarah. Because he knew full well I wasn't going to have a good one and it was really fun. So the first time we ran that, I really laughed him like premeditating that. My Michael Bloomberg impression was just going to sound like every other fucking Jewish New Yorker. I do like, hilarious.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you have any stories that typified that week for you?

[Sarah Sherman]

I. Well, Paul McCartney was in the building and I like, I ran up to him and I was like. Cuz my hair was all like fancy. And I. So I ran up to him, I was like, I know you can't tell because my hair is fancy right now, but I stole your haircut from Wings era. And he was like, oh no. I watched the show and I was like, no, he knew. And I told him. I was like, I listened to temporary secretary in the shower this morning. You know, off of McCartney too. Which is. I. I just. Yeah, I went nuts. I went nuts. He was so nice. He said he knew for some reason, like I Saw. Well, I had never met Ben Stiller before. And when I saw him, my, like, eyes started watering.

[Jesse David Fox]

Sorry for laughing is.

[Sarah Sherman]

It was just cra. I was like, oh, my God, I love you. And I just, like, my eyes started watering immediately. And I don't know. Sorry. Ben Stiller, I just. He's like the goat. And I. I got to. I guess the 50s was just me and hanging out with David Spade the whole time. He's my best friend. I love that guy. It was like in the New York musical. Like, there was, like. We had to come out at the end, like, waving little flags. And, like, it's just. If you look, it's just like, us at the end coming out together with little flags because we were, like, off. Like, you know, hanging out off stage, like, making jokes, cracking wise. And the 50s was the first time I ever met Beck Bennett. He is a hoot.

[Jesse David Fox]

Your stories go from Paul McCartney to Ben Stiller to David Spade to meeting Beck Bennett.

[Sarah Sherman]

That was, like, a highlight that I never met him. When I got to snl, everybody was like, I'm so depressed. Beck Bennett isn't here. Where the is Beck Bennett? He didn't come back. This sucks. That was my first year. And everyone's, like, talking about Beck Bennett. I'm like, shit, I gotta meet this guy. Everybody's fucking talking about how amazing Beck Bennett is. And then I meet him and he's, oh, Boots, love you back.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's wonderful. I had no idea he had that.

[Sarah Sherman]

Reputation as, like, everyone's favorite. Everyone's favorite per. In the entire building of 30 Rock, Beck Bennett has the best reputation. And, like, people would just be like, God, I wish Beck Bennett would do this joke. I'm like, let me try it. Like, no, you're not, Becky.

[Jesse David Fox]

So I want to talk a little bit. The question just wrote down is, why are you like this? And I want to talk about Long Island. And there was this thing that I think was in your first of the weekend updates. And you go like, I'm here looking like Chucky went to Sarah Lawrence.

[Sarah Sherman]

Right.

[Jesse David Fox]

And why that was so interesting to me is you didn't go to Sarah Lawrence.

[Sarah Sherman]

No.

[Jesse David Fox]

And it reminded me of when I.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, by the way, might I interrupt you? I wanted the joke to be, I'm sitting here looking like Chucky's last wish. And I wrote it with pdd. And they were like, that doesn't mean anything. That's not a joke. And I was like, but it's like a vibe. And Ben Marshall was like, what the fuck is Chucky's last wish. And then he wrote thank you. But then he wrote Sarah Lawrence because he was like, it has to be a joke.

[Jesse David Fox]

Joke. Yeah. And it's really funny, but it's like, you didn't go to Sarah Lawrence. But it reminded me of when I first moved the city. People were like, you probably went to like Vassar or whatever. And I do feel like there's something about. I grew up on Long island where if you Long island is. Because it is so itself. If you're at all a little weird, you are the weirdest person that could ever imagine.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

So how does this. How does a Sarah not even get out? What was it like? Do you have a memory that typifies how people thought of you in Great Neck?

[Sarah Sherman]

I was like, definitely like an attention hogging freak. I just wanted to be a comedian so badly. That's the thing. Long island is pure, unadulterated hell, but its proximity to the city, like, I could take the LIRR into Midtown to see Ass Cat when I was 16. I did my first open mic when I was 16 at the Hog Pit NYC barbecue restaurant. I was wearing a bow tie, got made fun of by the host. But yeah, I just like, because it's so Jewish, like all the. There's so many little kids who want to be like comedians. So like, my high school did have an improv troupe it called Hot Lunch. And we did rehearse in my basement. We did do shows in the basement of the Great Neck Public Library at levels where all the anime kids hung out. So like, there were like pockets of freakdom, which I'm like, so I mean, that's the thing. Like, you know, conformity breeds freak subculture. And they were in the basement of the public library. And so I'm like, really grateful I found the fucking freaks. So there was like, I got out, but I was able to start my escape route with my little spoon out of my jail cell from like a very early age because, like, I always knew I wanted to be a comedian. And there was that. I didn't know what the path. There was no path. Like, I. I was close to the city, so I could see how it could happen. But even though Long island is a crazy place to be from, like, people don't get it. Like, people. There's the most Trump voters per capita. I grew up in a really conservative Jewish community where I, like, I didn't want to go on birthright at a young age, which was insane, you know, and so that's like, politically, I was never aligned with like, people I grew up with, like, at all. And like, that's really, like. It can be a very politically conservative place that I don't think people really know about.

[Jesse David Fox]

Especially the parts that are. Are like, like great neck. That are like, very Jewish. It's like peak Jewish assimilation.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

The whiteness of like. So.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

So they, they're. They're being like, we need to like, be not weird. Like, if anyone is like, almost like too Jewy to their in. In the way that they think Jewish people should be.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yes.

[Jesse David Fox]

That they're like, get out of here. You're making us look bad.

[Sarah Sherman]

And there's like, there's this weird thing of like, I mean, this is getting like, really into it. But, like, like, I went to like a very Conservative synagogue and you know, they make you do hardcore, like, regional identification with Israel at like a really young age. Like, there is like a really intense, like, brainwashing process, but at this. So it's like really hardcore. Like, you know, you're not allowed to have a Jewish. You're not allowed to have a non Jewish boyfriend. You gotta only be friends with Jews, like, keep the community close. But at the same time, like all, you know, girls getting nose jobs at a young age because they look too Jewy. Straightening their hair because they look too Jewy. So it's like a weird. What am I trying to say?

[Jesse David Fox]

The juxtaposition.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. Of like, stronghold of Jewish identity while at the same time, like dealing with weird, like, misogynist kind of body complex issues.

[Jesse David Fox]

Was it like, what was horrific about it as a person? That aspect of your comedy, I just like, didn't.

[Sarah Sherman]

You know, it's just so like, growing up as like a hairy Jewish girl on Long island, you're just like, dealing with a lot of like, body shame. Also, like, I think I didn't realize it at the time, but like, political differentiation, like, not feeling, you know, I was like a little like hippie kid and like, oh, everyone around you is not, you know, everyone wants to like, make a lot of money and belong to like a fancy country club kind of thing. So it's like that kind of like abject suburban horror with a bunch of like, weird Long island shit thrown on top of it.

[Jesse David Fox]

You're talking about suburbia and the sort of horror of it. And I wanted to ask you about David Lynch. So you did a. An Elephant man parody. It was last season, but this season David lynch died. And I was wondering if you talk about him generally, that sketch or sort of what he meant to you and Your.

[Sarah Sherman]

I mean, he's everything. He's like. It's like. What do you say about the actual goat? He's everything. He's like, I got into dream analysis because of him. Meditation. Like, he taught me, like, how to be an artist. You know, he's just like, meditate. Tap into your unconscious. You don't need to be suffering and feeling bad. That's what I try to remember, too. Like, when I'm always is, like, pissed off and angsty and like, I up this guy, whatever. It's like his whole was like, you never make good stuff out of a place of pain. Like, he's like, I made a razor head when I was, like, fucking miserable and broke. You're. You're not like, people romantic. Romanticize, like, the tortured artist narrative or whatever. And he's like, meditate to just take care of yourself and, like, pull from your, like, dreams and the collective unconscious and, like, whatever. And just like, the fact that he made weirdo shit that was widely available on network television is insane. It was. The fact that it was popular means that just because something's weird doesn't mean people don't like it.

[Jesse David Fox]

You do Weekend Update the first time, six weeks into doing this show. Can you talk to me about what those first five episodes felt like, and then what the first Weekend Update felt like and then how you felt afterwards?

[Sarah Sherman]

I was like, I got the job. I was just happy to be there. I was, like, unemployed and broke and, like, like. But before I got the job, I was like. Didn't really know what I was, like, gonna do with my life. And then, like, the. I had just made this short with my friends called Sarah Vaccine, where I, like, scraped together. I got people to lend me money to make this crazy short with my friends. And it was like a real, like, passion project. And I got to do make stuff really crazy with my hands. Like, I'm like, fake pissing in a beaker and eating poop or whatever. And I had, like. I had just finished that, and it was like the best thing ever. It was, like, the most fun experience I would ever have. But I'm like, you know, no one really watched it or cared, and you're kind of just like, shit. Like, I just was, like, worried that my. How do I say this? You just get scared that you're like, shit, like, how am I gonna be able to do this? I can't be, like, begging people for money forever to. To make the stuff that I want to make. And, like, I made that with, like, by the way, obviously $0. So you'll. If you see it, you'll see that it doesn't.

[Jesse David Fox]

But for the people.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah, for the people. So I was just, like, a little worried that I wasn't going to be able to. It's hard out there. I was in la. It was really fun, but it's like. It's kind of tough. And then I got the job and I was like, oh, my God. Thank God. Okay. Like, I had, like. Like, solid ground for a second. And then. So my first entire year, happy to be there. So stoked. Wasn't so hard on myself. The, like, Suicide Squad spiral. I go after every sketch now, I wasn't experiencing the first year. I was just stoked. The first couple episodes, I didn't get anything on the show. I didn't think anything of it. I was like, whatever. I can't even believe I'm at the table read doing, like. I'm like, any. If someone put me in a sketch, I'd be like, oh, my God. God, someone put me in a fucking sketch. And like, I wasn't getting anything on the show. And I joined the show with Aristotle Atari and James Austin Johnson. And they had a lot of success getting stuff on the show really early. And they were really good at it. Like, James was Trump.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yes.

[Sarah Sherman]

You know, like, right away, period. And like, Aristotle was Angelo. Like, they had shit on the show that worked and they were good character performers. And I just, like, wasn't. And I was, like, figuring it out. And like, I had written a bunch of stuff that wasn't getting on the show, but it's like, I didn't feel any type of way about it. Cause I couldn't even believe I was there in the first place. I couldn't believe I had a job. And then Colin was like, you should go on Weekend Update. And I was like, okay. He's like, as yourself. And I was like, I didn't know you could do that. I also thought that was, like, presumptuous to be like, what's good, suh? I'm Sarah. Like, I'm on the. You know.

[Jesse David Fox]

And I was like, I thought of a great character. I just do my standard.

[Sarah Sherman]

I didn't know you could do that.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

So I was like. I thought SNL was like, characters.

[Jesse David Fox]

Mostly.

[Sarah Sherman]

Is it Mostly. But I didn't know about. You could just be like, it.

[Jesse David Fox]

It'd be like, what if I was a musical guest one week?

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah. No, literally, I'm like, oh. But then, like, after I had joined the show, people were like, no. Pete went on as himself and, like, just talked about his weekend. I was like, really? All right, sure, whatever. So I had written something that was myself doing stand up, bits that were tried and true to me. And I'm like, these are my slam dunks. What's good? And it didn't work, like, at the table, like, because it's not stand up. It's something totally different. And I was like, all right, well, Colin asked me if I can write this. So my standup is very confrontational with the audience. Like, I don't. I do not want to say I'm a roast comic, but am I a little aggressive to the audience? Yes. So I just transferred that to Colin. And, like, in my stand up, I just call everyone in the audience a pedophile. And so I just started calling him a pedophile. So.

[Jesse David Fox]

And the rest is history.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

So you're. You just finished your fourth season. Who knows how long you'll be at the show? But I believe the contract tends to be. People tend to do seven or eight is the standard run, so.

[Sarah Sherman]

Which means I get fired tomorrow. I check my.

[Jesse David Fox]

Oh, well, they did joke about it, which means they probably wouldn't because that'd be a very mean thing to do.

[Sarah Sherman]

You know what?

[Jesse David Fox]

So if those haven't seen the final episode of the season, Scarl Johansson jokes about how it's your last episode and go, what? Or whatever.

[Sarah Sherman]

I did think once that made it to the to air, I was like, oh, I guess I won't be fired.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. In so much as you might be midway through. What. What do you have left to do?

[Sarah Sherman]

Literally everything. Yeah. All these, like, rats that I'm biting their heads off and, like, bloody heart shooting blood. There have just been so many of those, like, really like me gags that I feel like I haven't gotten to do because I haven't figured out how to do it for the show. I think the closest I ever got was the googly eyes sketch. Like, I was blind. My eyes were googly eyes. It's like a big, crazy, insane stunt with, like, a little bit of body horror. And that is like, I'm trying to get back to that as much as I can. I've also never had, like, a big character. Like, I've never had my funko pop character. I don't know how to do that.

[Jesse David Fox]

The thing.

[Sarah Sherman]

I don't know how.

[Jesse David Fox]

It doesn't really exist that much anymore. And the funny example is, like, Domingo is not even the protect. Like, Domingo's not even that much of that sketch. And he's the breakout character.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know it, it.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, it maybe will happen, but it's not happened. It doesn't happen very often anymore. Have you asked if you can put a, like a paper mache butthole on snl? Like in my head it's like, is that actually not.

[Sarah Sherman]

We basically are. We kind of did it once I played a butt. I'm still, part of me is still feeling like we can make it happen. But there was a sketch where I play a butt and it got cut because it looked so grote. Like it looked pornographic.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Sherman]

So it ended up getting cut because it was like, oh, we can't have an asshole. So maybe do you.

[Jesse David Fox]

So Sarah Sherman is what you go by on snl. I remember when you're cast, we're like, will she come with Sarah Sherman? Sarah Squirm? And then you went by Sarah Sherman was like, that makes sense.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

Where is Squirm?

[Sarah Sherman]

You can see her alive in the flesh for months or when.

[Jesse David Fox]

So that's inside of you and it's, it's ready to come. But like, do you feel like it's. When you're on snl, does it feel like a different you?

[Sarah Sherman]

Yeah, especially I'm Sarah Normal. I'm not serious. And I'm clocking in. I'm clocking into work. I'm there to behave, try to get away with as much as I can. But if a little Sarah Squirm can eke out, I'm very happy. And I, when I auditioned for the show, they like had, they had seen me on a standup show. And I was billed on the standup show as Sarah Squirm. And I do that just because it's like a disclaimer. Like what you're about to see may or may not be having poop and blood or whatever. And so then because they found me at a standup show, throughout the entire audition process, I was on everything as Sarah Squirm. And even my contract says Sarah Squirm. And when I got the job, Lauren called me. I was like at my childhood home eating spaghetti and meatballs with my parents and my grandma. And he was like, well, we think Squirm is a little distracting. And I was like, totally.

[Jesse David Fox]

So the final segment show is called the laughing round. It's like a lightning round, but because come podcast I call it laughing around. Okay, do you have a favorite joke? Joke, like a street joke?

[Sarah Sherman]

The. It's like a five minute nor McDonald Albert fish joke where he talks about like he long windedly explains Albert Fish, the child Serial killer and rapist. And after he describes all of. I mean, I'm gonna spoil the joke. I'm not gonna do it. But he'd like, like, talk, like, indepth, graphic detail explanation of madeup. Explanation of a serial killer's exploits. And at the end he goes, he was a real jerk.

[Jesse David Fox]

I do know that one. So this will be a Mount Rushmore of Mount Rushmore. So it's gonna be four Mount Rushmores. SNL related.

[Sarah Sherman]

Okay.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. And you can do however you want to apply this so you. No one gets mad at you, but do Mount Rushmore of hosts.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, like dream hosts.

[Jesse David Fox]

The four best. Generally, Mount Rushmore means, like, the ones you put on a mountain for.

[Sarah Sherman]

Oh, that. That I have already experienced, most likely.

[Jesse David Fox]

That would probably make sense. Or you can do it historically, if you'd like.

[Sarah Sherman]

I have a Mount Rushmore of dreamhost hosts.

[Jesse David Fox]

Sure. Mount Rushmore dream hosts, John Wanders, Johnny Knoxville, Joan Rivers.

[Sarah Sherman]

And I've never been there when Eddie Murphy hosted, but that would be amazing for me to experience.

[Jesse David Fox]

Long island legend.

[Sarah Sherman]

Long island legend.

[Jesse David Fox]

Musical guests that have experience or dream experience.

[Sarah Sherman]

Yo, Lady Gaga blew that out. And, like, I don't know if this is sacrilegious to say I'm such a Madonna whore that I. I just legit didn't know Lady Gaga's game. And then I became familiar with Lady Gaga's game when she hosted this pastime. And I was like, like, I pledge my allegiance. I am a little monster. After that. It was crazy. Like, my favorite musical performance from SNL history is, like, David Bowie with Clouse Nomi. And it was giving that down.

[Jesse David Fox]

Two more musical guests. Now it's historical, so it can be any musical guest ever. Or it can do dream guests. We just.

[Sarah Sherman]

Well, I loved, like, when the Replacements was on and Fear were on, I mean, I. Again, I wasn't there. I mean, wasn't even a lot. Yeah. Thank you. I'm so young.

[Jesse David Fox]

Cast members, I assume you'll do historical or you can do your favorite cast members you currently work with my whole cast.

[Sarah Sherman]

I guess. Like, I would have died to be on the show with Fred Armisen. He's amazing. And. And Norm MacDonald. And obviously, like, everyone's addicted to Gilda. Obviously. And Kristen Wiig is legit the goat. It's crazy what she did on that show. And Dana Carvey.

[Jesse David Fox]

Now that's five. You gotta stop.

[Sarah Sherman]

I know.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you have a short story of an interaction with a legendary comedian, living or dead, you're willing to share that you have not Already shared.

[Sarah Sherman]

Barry Crimmins saw me bomb my ass off. I was opening for him and Bobcat Goldthwaite at the Hideout in Chicago. I bombed worse than anyone's ever bombed. It was like Oppenheimer level bomb. And it was like. I want to say it was like an afternoon Sunday show. So, like, it wasn't even my fault. And he comes up to me afterwards and he was just like. Like them. Like, it wasn't a thing. Like, oh, you did good. Like, don't worry. Like, it was just like, I. No one even said one word. We all knew I bombed. They went them. Who gives a. And I was like, all right, I'll take that. Thank you. May he rest. Legend.

[Jesse David Fox]

What is a sketch that didn't work that you'll go to your grave thinking is funny even though it did not work work to other people.

[Sarah Sherman]

I played a butt, okay? I'm not telling you what the premise of the sketch was. I'm not telling you what the jokes were. I'm not telling you the game. I'm not spoiling it because I have that much faith that we can remount it and bring it across the finish line. It was really fucking funny. I'm playing a butt, like, from the movie, society style. That kind of butt head coming out of a butt. It got cut. What? Because it looked too pornographic. We can make it work. We can build it better so it looks less unsafe for network television. And I will egg on my face if it goes to Aaron. Doesn't work. It will work. I will make it work. We will figure it out. It's a funny bit. I play a butt. It's got little puppet hands. It's hilarious. We'll make it work.

[Jesse David Fox]

Thank you so much.

[Sarah Sherman]

Thank you.

[Advertiser]

Support for this show comes from pure leaf iced tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon slump, you need the right thing to make you bounce back. You need pure leaf iced tea. It's real brewed tea made in a variety of bold flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. You're left feeling refreshed and revitalized so you can be ready to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit the reset button, grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf.