On a recent episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast, Seth Meyers recounted a dramatic backstage moment when Billy Bob Thornton confronted Saturday Night Live’s veteran lighting director, Phil Hymes, over a rule about wearing a baseball cap. The tense exchange, which took place during Thornton’s 2001 guest-hosting stint in New York, highlighted the iconic figure’s resistance to being told where and when he could wear his hat, an incident now talked about in SNL circles as the moment Billy Bob Thornton confronts SNL lighting director over baseball cap.
During the show’s preparations, Meyers described how Thornton, while rehearsing his monologue on the SNL stage, chose to keep his baseball cap on, a disruption that did not go unnoticed by Hymes, an imposing presence behind the scenes since the show’s early years. According to Meyers, Hymes addressed a stagehand regarding Thornton’s attire, remarking,
“Somebody tell him to take his hat off.”
—Phil Hymes, Lighting Director
Thornton, catching wind of the comment, was quick to challenge the directive. Meyers remembered the confrontation vividly:
“Hey old man, if you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.”
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Rising Tension Backstage at Saturday Night Live
Andy Samberg, who was recognized for his impressions of Thornton on SNL, participated in the podcast episode, using his trademark imitation to help Meyers narrate the story. Their conversation shed light on the unpredictable and sometimes volatile environment backstage, particularly when longstanding staff like Hymes, known for his straight-talk and past anecdotes of lighting figures like John F. Kennedy in the White House, clashed with high-profile hosts.
Phil Hymes’ presence at SNL spanned over forty years, starting in the show’s second season in 1976 and continuing until 2018. His reputation for being direct, sometimes irascible, was well understood by both new and veteran cast members. Besides the incident with Thornton, Hymes was known for self-assuredly giving opinions, once gaining Lady Gaga’s admiration for frank comments on her wardrobe, and nearly prompting Kanye West to leave the set after a disagreement over staging.
Though the face-off between Thornton and Hymes seemed intense, Meyers clarified that it did not play out in public or escalate before a crowd.
“Now I also want to clarify Billy Bob Thornton did not do this in front of everybody, he walked off stage and he went and talked to Phil Hymes, real man to man.”
—Seth Meyers, Head Writer
A Mutually Respectful Resolution
According to Meyers, what could have been a heated standoff evolved into a more understanding interaction.
“Phil had a real ‘I apologize’ moment. There was a real like two decent men of honor [exchange].”
—Seth Meyers, Head Writer
Akiva Schaffer, another member of The Lonely Island, lightened the moment, comparing the interaction to a famous western showdown:
“Just two guys meeting at high noon, deciding not to fight.”
—Akiva Schaffer, Comedian
Ultimately, Billy Bob Thornton prevailed, as he wore his baseball cap for the live show’s monologue on November 17, 2001. The segment, which included audience interactions as his “Sling Blade” character, stands as a testament to the brief, spirited dispute and the eventual compromise backstage.
Legacy of the Cast and Crew
Thornton’s appearance on SNL remains his single time hosting, and the story has become one of many examples illustrating the charged environment behind the scenes at the iconic sketch show. The audience included stars and recurring key figures, sometimes creating memorable interactions with the crew.
Phil Hymes left a lasting mark on Saturday Night Live’s production culture. He won his sole Emmy award at the age of 95 in 2018, and his nearly half-century of work for NBC and NBCUniversal showcased his dedication and influence on multiple generations of cast and crew. He passed away at the age of 96 in 2019, after a celebrated career at the network and a legendary presence in the entertainment industry.
As for Billy Bob Thornton, the dust-up did not sour his reputation as a guest, with the story now shared fondly among SNL alumni and fans alike. The legendary moment—where Billy Bob Thornton confronts SNL lighting director over baseball cap—remains a revealing snapshot of the personalities and dynamics that define classic television’s backstage life.
