Pete Davidson recently reflected on the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live, sharing his opinions about the celebrity-packed audience at the event held earlier this year. Discussing the SNL50 celebration while promoting his new comedy, The Pickup, Davidson described the audience as unimpressed despite its star-studded nature, highlighting his experience sitting next to Meryl Streep during the show.
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the former SNL cast member, who was part of the show from 2014 to 2022, expressed mixed feelings about the audience at the SNL50 special. The event featured many high-profile guests including Kim Kardashian, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. However, Davidson did not view the crowd as enthusiastic as one might expect from such famous attendees.
Davidson Describes the Audience Atmosphere as Uninspired
When asked by Meyers whether it was more nerve-wracking to be in the audience or on stage during the special, Davidson responded candidly:
Well, as you know from SNL40, terrible audience.
He further elaborated:
It’s a terrible audience. It’s just famous people, and famous people only like themselves,
adding humorously that he acknowledged he was guilty of the same behavior. The conversation then turned to Davidson’s own pre-recorded sketch for SNL50, where Meyers joked that Davidson was the only one laughing during the clip. Davidson recounted:
I remember when the pre-tape was playing, you were the only one laughing,
We were like, ‘Oh, he’s coming in way too hot.’
This sketch featured Davidson reprising his character Chad alongside original SNL cast member Laraine Newman. He described Chad as:
Chad’s fun. It’s my one character that I got to do. In eight years of SNL, I had one character,
though he admitted it was not a flattering portrayal, explaining that while fans were eager to see Newman, his appearance involved him simply having his shirt off.
Seating Next to Meryl Streep Was a Highlight for Davidson
Meyers expressed envy over Davidson’s seat at the event, as he was positioned beside Meryl Streep, who made her SNL debut during the anniversary in a sketch playing the mother of Kate McKinnon‘s character. Davidson gushed about the experience, sharing:
In typical SNL fashion, they don’t tell you anything, you don’t even know what’s going on. I get to my seat, and I just look, and I’m like, ‘This can’t be right.’ And it was Meryl Streep, and I just sat down, and I was like, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that I’m sitting next to you. You’re the best.’
He noted that Streep was very kind to him during the interaction, describing the moment as special despite the hectic nature of the live event.
Davidson Shares Personal News Amid Interview
In the same interview, Davidson revealed that he and his girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, are expecting their first child. When Meyers inquired about his feelings on the upcoming milestone, Davidson expressed great enthusiasm:
I’m stoked. I can’t wait. Let’s go. I’m so excited. I’ve never been more excited for anything.
This joyful announcement contrasted with Davidson’s earlier criticism of the celebrity audience but offered insight into his present happiness and anticipation for fatherhood.
Significance of Davidson’s Comments and Future Outlook
Pete Davidson’s blunt remarks about the SNL50 audience shed light on the sometimes-hidden dynamics among celebrities during highly publicized events. While the gathering featured some of Hollywood’s most renowned figures, Davidson’s perspective suggests that fame does not always translate to genuine enthusiasm or engagement. His praise for Meryl Streep highlights a rare moment of connection amid the superficial atmosphere he described.
As Davidson moves forward personally and professionally—welcoming a child and promoting his latest projects—his openness in interviews provides a glimpse of the challenges and realities behind the entertainment industry’s glamorous facade. Fans and followers can expect more candid conversations from the actor as he continues to balance his career and upcoming fatherhood.
