Sarah Silverman reveals how Conan O’Brien’s support saved her comedy career after shocking SNL firing.
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When One Door Slams, Another Opens
Sarah Silverman’s comedy career could’ve crashed after her SNL firing in 1994. Instead, a redheaded late-night rookie stepped in to save the day.
In a candid Howard Stern interview, Silverman revealed how Conan O’Brien became her unexpected champion during a brutal career setback.
“Conan was the best thing for me,” she confessed with genuine gratitude, looking back at a pivotal moment that could’ve derailed everything.
Perfect Timing in Comedy Crisis
The stars aligned perfectly—O’Brien’s first year hosting Late Night coincided with Silverman’s brief SNL stint.
When the axe fell on her Studio 8H dreams, Conan kept booking her repeatedly on his show.
“He put me on all the time, even after I was fired,” Silverman shared, her voice carrying both relief and appreciation.
Those appearances became the launchpad she desperately needed when her comedy future looked bleakest.
SNL: Beautiful Nightmare
Despite the painful exit, Silverman acknowledges SNL’s value as a “boot camp experience.”
Her description of the legendary show reveals its contradictory nature—magical yet terrifying.
“It’s so amazing, but there’s just something about it where they make you feel like a piece of s—,” she admitted bluntly.
The pressure-cooker environment leaves even the most talented comedians questioning their worth and battling crippling anxiety.
Shared Impostor Syndrome
Silverman felt deeply validated by Andy Samberg’s SNL50 digital short about the show’s universal impostor syndrome.
“We all feel like losers here for some reason,” she reflected, finding comfort in this shared secret.
Her firing blindsided her completely—”it never occurred to me that was possible”—but looking back with hard-earned wisdom, she now sees it as “definitely for the best,” opening doors to her unique comedy path.