In a recent appearance on the talk show hosted by the legendary David Letterman, popular actor Bill Hader delighted the audience with his funny anecdotes and stories. The conversation took an entertaining turn when Hader discussed his role in a movie alongside Kristen Wiig.
Hader mentioned that he initially didn’t think he could pull off the character, but the director, Craig Johnson, took a chance on him. With Wiig also on board, he felt comfortable and gave it his all. Letterman was quick to praise Hader’s acting skills, saying he was “above and beyond what anybody could do.”
Known for his comedic roles, Hader had previously played the funny cop who smokes weed. However, in this particular movie, he took on a completely different character. Letterman commended Hader on his performance and encouraged him to continue exploring different roles.
The conversation then turned to Hader’s eight-year stint on Saturday Night Live (SNL). As the show gears up for its 40th anniversary, Hader expressed excitement about the upcoming special. He admitted that he was just informed about his role in the show on his way to the interview. The nature of a live comedy show like SNL meant that things were constantly changing, keeping everyone on their toes.
Hader mentioned the opportunity to work with numerous talented individuals during his time on SNL. Letterman asked if he had worked with all the people who would be at the anniversary special, to which Hader expressed his anticipation of meeting writers like Jack Handy whom he had never met before.
Reflecting on his SNL experience, Hader shared some nightmare stories. He admitted feeling nervous before every show, thinking he might be fired during his first four years. To calm his nerves, his wife would often join him backstage for breathing exercises. The pressure of the live show was always intense, with last-minute changes sometimes causing chaos.
Hader recounted a sketch he did with fellow actor Will Forte called “Jerry and Carl.” Despite the sketch falling flat during the dress rehearsal, it made it into the final show. The awkwardness was compounded by a change in the script that left Hader and Forte unaware of their character’s new backstory. The sketch was a disaster, receiving absolute silence from the audience. Hader recalled the episode as the one where Sarah Palin made a cameo, which became the most-watched SNL episode in history. Hader humorously recounted approaching Palin after the show to ask her opinion on the sketch, only to realize she hadn’t even seen it.
Letterman couldn’t help but inquire about Hader’s personal background. Hader revealed that he grew up in Oklahoma and moved to LA right after high school. He reminisced about living in a tiny efficiency apartment where he witnessed a robbery without realizing it. Hader’s laid-back attitude towards the burglary demonstrated his easygoing nature.
The talk concluded with Letterman and his band leader, Paul Shaffer, mentioning their involvement in the SNL 40th anniversary special, airing Sunday night.
Bill Hader‘s appearance on David Letterman‘s talk show was filled with laughs and entertaining stories. The audience got a glimpse into Hader’s journey in the entertainment industry and his experiences on SNL. With the upcoming anniversary special, fans can expect a star-studded event celebrating forty years of laughter and entertainment on Saturday Night Live.
