Conan O’Brien credits Adam Sandler with reinjecting a sense of fun into Saturday Night Live when Sandler joined the show in the early 1990s. Speaking about his time on SNL, O’Brien described the period before Sandler’s arrival as a highly intense and competitive environment where the stakes felt like “life or death.” Sandler’s arrival marked a shift towards a more energized and lighthearted spirit within the cast and writers.
A Tense Environment Before Sandler’s Arrival on SNL
In a recent episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Andy Samberg reflected on the show‘s atmosphere during O’Brien’s tenure from 1988 to 1991. O’Brien recalled that the creative team, including Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, and Greg Daniels, approached their work with extreme seriousness. He explained that everyone felt the pressure intensely, which shaped a competitive culture rather than a collaborative or playful one.
“I was in that state of mind, and I think, you know, [Robert] Smigel and [Bob] Odenkirk and Greg Daniels were like, ‘It’s life or death,’”
O’Brien said.
“And it feels like that’s kind of how everyone feels.”
How Adam Sandler Changed the Work Culture
Sandler began as a writer in 1990 before becoming a cast member in 1991. O’Brien noted that Sandler would enter the writers’ room with an infectious enthusiasm, full of new characters and wild ideas. Sandler’s outward excitement for the show and his eagerness to contribute brought a refreshing energy that contrasted with the previously tense environment.
“He was like, ‘This is so much fun to be at SNL. Oh, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it. Yippee!’ And he had that, ‘I’m going to do Opera Man. I’m going to do this. I’m going to do that. This is great, guys!’”
O’Brien recalled. He added that at the time he thought,
“This is a possibility? You can like this?”
O’Brien’s Reflections on His Own Intensity and Sandler’s Impact
O’Brien has expressed regret about the strict, intense mindset he had during his SNL years, believing that it ultimately reduced the fun he had on the show. He felt burned out and admitted that this attitude likely shortened his tenure. Sandler’s enthusiasm demonstrated to O’Brien that it was possible to enjoy the creative process more freely.
“I think I robbed myself of some fun that I could have had,”
O’Brien said.
“I did have a lot of fun, but I think I could have had more fun. And I think I could have maybe written there a little longer if I didn’t make it such a grind for myself.”
Bob Odenkirk’s Similar Experience with SNL’s Culture
Bob Odenkirk, another former SNL writer from 1987 to 1991, also reflected on his time at the show, admitting he was overly critical and had high expectations that the show should be more avant-garde and daring—essentially “his show.” This attitude contributed to a feeling of frustration and a competitive tension in the writer’s room during that era.
“I was too hard on the show,”
Odenkirk stated.
“I had a lot of attitude when I got hired there, like, ‘This show could be better, this show could be Monty Python, this should be more cutting edge, this should be more dangerous.’ And I was frustrated by it not representing purely my point of view. I wanted it to be me, my show.”
The Lasting Significance of Sandler’s Influence on SNL
Adam Sandler’s arrival at SNL marked a turning point by lightening the previously intense atmosphere and encouraging a spirit of creative enjoyment. His enthusiastic approach inspired peers, including O’Brien, to reconsider how they engaged with their work. This shift helped pave the way for a different era of the show, characterized by more humor and playfulness amidst the pressure of live comedy. The reflections from O’Brien and Odenkirk highlight how heavily the culture of SNL impacts its contributors and underscore Sandler’s role in transforming that culture during a critical period.
