Andy Samberg: Andy Samberg Feels the Pressure Returning to SNL for Season 50, “Re-Inheriting the Stress”

Andy Samberg: Andy Samberg, a beloved Saturday Night Live alum, is feeling the rush—and the pressure—of performing live again as he steps back onto the SNL stage for the show’s 50th season. Reflecting on the experience during The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, Samberg shared, “It’s been fun… but also re-inheriting the stress. This is intense.”

Known for his seven-year SNL stint from 2005 to 2012, Samberg left an unforgettable mark on the show with his groundbreaking digital shorts and hilarious characters. Now, he’s back alongside fellow veterans Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey, joining the season as a guest to help lampoon the 2024 presidential race. Samberg has reprised his role as Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris’s husband, bringing fresh humor to the show’s political sketches.

Samberg shared that performing live again comes with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He recalled a recent sketch with host Michael Keaton, where he appeared dressed as Beetlejuice. “If this Beetlejuice thing doesn’t work, I’m just going to be here and not do anything,” he joked. “It puts you right back in that feeling of being a cast member — you’re always at risk.”

Looking back on his earlier years, Samberg admitted that SNL’s demanding schedule ultimately led him to leave in 2012, saying the non-stop pace took a toll on his health. “Physically and emotionally, I was falling apart,” he confessed, explaining that he regularly pulled all-nighters and dealt with the relentless weekly cycle of writing, filming, and editing.

Still, Samberg holds his time at SNL close to his heart, saying he feels lucky to be able to make a living doing what he loves. His return to Studio 8H is a thrill for longtime fans, who are eager to see his signature humor back in action. Catch new episodes of Saturday Night Live on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.