With Saturday Night Live set to mark 50 years to the day of its premiere on October 11, 1975, it’s hard to imagine someone better to inaugurate LateNighter’s SNL Cast Member Questionnaire than Laraine Newman.
A founding member of The Groundlings comedy troupe and one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” Newman helped define SNL’s first five seasons with her sharp character work, dry wit, and unforgettable turns as Connie Conehead, Sherry the Valley Girl, and countless others. In her answers, Newman revisits the sketches, hosts, and backstage moments that defined her SNL years—and the advice she’d give herself if she could travel back in time to her first day at the show.
All-time favorite SNL cast member
Impossible to answer. I’m, of course, partial to Groundlings, so I could say Phil Hartman, Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Jon Lovitz. And Dan Aykroyd and Jan Hooks. There will be dozens of others that I’ll think of at 3:00 in the morning and feel bad I didn’t include them.
All-time favorite sketch
From my five years, I’d have to say the “Beatnik” sketch—it was also listed as “Plato’s Cave” in the show order. Steve Martin was the host. The whole cast is in it and they all shine.
All-time favorite musical performance
David Bowie performing “Man Who Sold the World.” My friend Joey Arias (an original Groundling) did backup along with Klaus Nomi. It was unforgettable.
What was it like auditioning for the show?
I didn’t know I was auditioning. Lorne was producing a Lily Tomlin special in 1974, and he and Lily came to see our Groundlings show. I didn’t know they were there. Had I known, I think my life would have been completely different. Nevertheless, I was cast in her special. Then, unbeknownst to me, Lorne came back when I was doing new characters and new material. Afterwards, he asked me to meet him at the Chateau Marmont to discuss a new project. It was SNL.
How did you find out you were hired?
It was really a matter of Lorne asking me if I was willing to do a show in New York for 13 weeks, and I thought, “Why not?”
What do you remember about your first sketch appearance?
I was probably a Bee, but I think I was also the reporter for Update.
Most triumphant SNL moment
I think when I did the Barbra Streisand song. It was so beautifully written and the music was complex, and I had a great time singing it. I knew nothing about Streisand because I was more of a Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell kinda gal, so a lot of the guys in the band helped me with some of her mannerisms. If only we’d had the internet then. I could probably have done a decent impression of her.
Most humbling SNL moment
A character I brought from the Groundlings—the Swedish Cookie Lady—which killed there. Because I’d had my car stolen when I arrived in New York, which contained all of my written material, Alan Zweibel and I had to try to reconstruct the character. I can’t begin to tell you the quality of silence when there are no laughs. It’s a sweaty silence. Yipeee!!
Cut sketch you wish made it to air
There have been so many, but I would have to say the very first show we did. George Carlin was the host, and there was a great sketch called Alexander the Great’s High School Reunion. He was a nerd in high school, and people were deriding him, asking what he’s been doing since they graduated. “Oh, nothing. Just conquering the Western world.” It was so solid. The jokes were so good, but Carlin didn’t want to do it. At least, that’s what I was told.
The SNL staffer you couldn’t live without
Liz Welch. I’m not exactly sure what her job title was, but she brought me sushi on show days and she was hilarious. I’d also have to say Jenny Pinkham, who was my personal assistant and helped me with fan mail. Kind and genteel.
Name something people don’t know about Lorne Michaels
He might sing you a show tune to cheer you up.
Do you/did you have any SNL superstitions?
What a great question. I don’t know that we had any other than the venerated theatrical one of a hat on a bed.
Your favorite host (while you were a cast member) and why?
Christopher Lee. Hands down. I lobbied for him for two years, and he turned out to have a great sense of humor and was a delightful raconteur. He was game for anything — although we were somewhat crushed when he announced that he didn’t want to play Dracula.
Your least favorite host (while you were a cast member) and why?
I don’t like to say, but his name rhymes with Hilton Hurl.
What’s the latest you’ve stayed up on a live-show night?
Uhm, does till the next morning count?
What’s the latest you’ve slept after a live-show night?
Uhm, does it count if you went to sleep in the morning?
Favorite celebrity you shared an elevator with at 30 Rock
Not an elevator, but who I saw in the lobby of 30 Rock: John Lennon!
If you could go back and leave a note for yourself on your very first day at SNL, what would it say?
Don’t take anything personally—and for god’s sake, don’t do drugs.
Anything to plug?
I have a new animated series on Apple TV+ called The Sisters Grimm.
Best place(s) to follow you online
Instagram
Get stories like this in your inbox: Sign up for LateNighter’s free daily newsletter.
