Why is it that so many successful comedic figures couldnt crack the rotation onSNL?
It turns out that not even the people in charge of the auditions fully know why.
Footage ofSNLs audition process is frequently hard to come by.
In the list that follows, we highlight the best of the almost-weres.
Footage from the remaining auditions can be found around the 18:30-mark ofSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nights first episode.
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge was so funny.
But I couldnt get anybody to get it, Klein says inSNL50: Beyond Saturday Night.
Thankfully,SNLs loss on this one was the worlds gain.
Coolidge had a successful career in Christopher Guest mockumentaries before joining HBOsThe White Lotusand winning an Emmy award.
Shes also a popular impression for currentSNLcast members and hosts.
His path led him to anSNLaudition, which he kind of killed!
Unfortunately his rendition of a man who had a spinal fusion didnt connect with the panel.
Based on that dual experience, one would imagine that she would be a perfect fit forSNL.
Still, the audition panel didnt vibe with her audition for whatever reason.
Donald Glover
Now the ultimate multi-hyphenate as writer/producer/actor/stand-up/director/Grammy-winning musical artist, Donald Glover a.k.a.
Childish Gambino got his start in television comedy.
Hell, he got his start in television comedy onSNLs own home turf of NBC!
InSNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, we get a look at the non-Obama portion of Peeles audition.
I was hoping Id never see this, Colbert says right before the clip plays.
His concern is unwarranted as the young Stephen Colberts audition is very good!
There was a guy named Henry Zebrowski who did his audition, Lindsay Shookus says.
Three minutes in he came out from behind the wall and he was completely naked.
It was such a shock.
Im not even sure what he did at that point.
He was the naked guy and he didnt get hired.
Not because he was naked.
We then get to see Henry in all naked glory.
All four episodes of SNL: Beyond Saturday Night are available to stream on Peacock now.
