Introduction

In the September 24, 2013 episode of The Moth Podcast titled "Jessi Klein: Tired, From New York," comedian and writer Jessi Klein shares her candid and humorous journey through achieving her lifelong dream of writing for Saturday Night Live (SNL). Performed live at Central Park Summer Stage in New York, Jessi's story delves into her early inspirations, the highs and lows of her career, and the personal growth she experienced while navigating the demanding world of television comedy.

Early Inspirations and Achieving the Dream

Jessi begins by reminiscing about her childhood fascination with Saturday Night Live, highlighting a pivotal memory from when she was ten years old. She recounts her excitement about watching the show on a black-and-white TV she salvaged from the trash, which made her feel like part of a "cool club" despite feeling like a "nerdy girl" (03:50). This passion ultimately fueled her ambition to become a professional TV comedy writer.

Fast forward to 2009, Jessi achieves her dream by landing a writing position at SNL in New York after years of perseverance. Reflecting on this milestone, she humorously describes her initial submission—a commercial parody for a "jockstrap for dogs"—which she doubted would be taken seriously (06:15). Contrary to her expectations, SNL liked her submission, leading to an interview with the show's legendary producer, Lorne Michaels (08:20).

The Reality of Working at SNL

Jessi provides an unfiltered look into the grueling schedule and high-pressure environment of SNL. She outlines the intense workweek starting on Tuesday nights, where writers toil through the night to prepare sketches for the weekend show (10:05). The subsequent table read involves presenting approximately forty sketches, with only a select few making it to the live show based on audience reaction and internal evaluations (12:45).

Her first experiences were marred by nervousness and self-doubt, particularly after her initial sketches failed to resonate. Jessi vividly describes the anxiety of having her work judged by top comedians and the fear of bombing during table reads and dress rehearsals (15:30). A particularly memorable moment was when her sketch for Taylor Lautner, portraying "Bristol Palin's X Levi Johnston," bombed during dress rehearsal, intensifying her feelings of inadequacy (18:10).

Struggles and Personal Challenges

As the weeks progressed, the relentless pace and high expectations began to take a toll on Jessi's mental and emotional well-being. She shares her struggles with insomnia, anxiety, and the loss of personal connections due to her demanding work schedule (19:50). The pressure to constantly produce funny material led to creative burnout, leaving her questioning her identity and comedic abilities (21:00).

In a poignant moment, Jessi relates how her self-worth became intertwined with her success at SNL. She recounts a particularly tough period when her anxiety manifested physically, prompting her to seek help from a doctor who humorously diagnosed her with "being an idiot" (21:45). It was during this low point that a friend introduced her to the lectures of British Buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm, which became a turning point in her journey toward self-acceptance and resilience (22:10).

Turning Point and Personal Growth

Inspired by Ajahn Brahm's teachings on acceptance, Jessi began to shift her mindset from fearing failure to embracing it as part of the creative process. She realized that making peace with bombing was essential for her growth as a comedian and writer (23:00). This newfound acceptance allowed her to write more authentically, leading to gradual improvements in her sketches.

One of her breakthrough moments came when she wrote a sketch for Tina Fey, reimagining her childhood submission into a "Brownie Husband" parody. The sketch not only received genuine laughter during table reads but also became a trending topic on Twitter when it aired, affirming her ability to connect with audiences (24:35).

Conclusion

Jessi Klein concludes her story by reflecting on the invaluable lessons learned from her SNL experience. She emphasizes the importance of bravery and authenticity in creative endeavors, highlighting that true success lies in being unafraid to share one's unique voice with the world. Despite the challenges and eventual decision to leave SNL, Jessi acknowledges that the journey taught her to embrace vulnerability and continue pursuing her passion with renewed confidence (26:00).

Her narrative serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and the transformative power of embracing one's fears, making "Tired, From New York" a compelling and relatable story for anyone striving to achieve their dreams amidst adversity.

Notable Quotes

• Jessi Klein at [03:50]: "It just made me feel really hip and alive, like I was part of, like, a cool club and not like a nerdy girl who was watching a black and white TV that I found in the garbage."

• Jessi Klein at [06:15]: "Did you really submit a sketch that was a commercial parody for a jockstrap for dogs? The answer is yes. Yes, I did."

• Jessi Klein at [15:30]: "This will not stand. I'm determined that next week I'm gonna get something at least onto the dress rehearsal show."

• Jessi Klein at [22:10]: "Maybe I can integrate this sort of idea into the fact that my comedy is dying. And I realized if I'm going to succeed at SNL, I have to make peace with bombing."

• Jessi Klein at [26:00]: "SNL taught me that you can't be afraid to just put something out into the world that's yours and to do something that you believe in, and that's totally different."

Final Thoughts

Jessi Klein's story on The Moth Podcast offers a raw and insightful glimpse into the highs and lows of pursuing a career in comedy. Her honesty about the struggles of working at a high-profile show like SNL, combined with her journey toward self-acceptance, provides valuable lessons on resilience, authenticity, and the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Whether you're an aspiring comedian or anyone chasing a dream, Jessi's narrative is both inspiring and deeply relatable.