Sarah Sherman Reveals the Brutal Way She Learns Her SNL Sketches Got Cut From an Episode
Sarah Sherman has described the pressure of performing in the final slot on Saturday Night Live, where a sketch can be cut for time while the episode is still airing. After Season 51 wrapped, Sherman spoke on The Rundown about the stress of waiting backstage with her wig and costume on, not knowing whether her sketch would make it to air. She said she often realizes a sketch has been dropped only when a hairdresser comes in to remove her wig, signaling that the segment has been cut.
Her comments highlight the unpredictable nature of SNL, which is broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, making last-minute changes part of the process. According to Sherman, it is not unusual for sketches in the final position of the night to be shortened or removed altogether if the show is running out of time. She also recalled how the “Lisa From Temecula” sketch during Pedro Pascal’s Season 48 episode was edited in real time, with a writer pulling cue cards during the performance to help the sketch fit the timeslot.
The discussion underscores how demanding the show can be for its cast and crew. Being assigned the final sketch means performers may spend the entire episode waiting for their segment, only to have it cut at the last moment. That uncertainty adds to the pressure of a job already known for its fast pace, weekly deadlines, and live-performance risks.
Sherman’s experience reflects the broader reality of working on Saturday Night Live, where resilience is essential. Cast members must be prepared for sketches to change, disappear, or be trimmed at any point during the broadcast. At the same time, they are expected to keep moving forward and prepare for the next episode almost immediately.
The story also fits into a larger pattern of cast members discussing how exhausting the show can be. Michael Che, for example, has joked about leaving the series every season and has spoken about how draining a full season can feel. That kind of pressure is part of the weekly rhythm of SNL, where the cast and writers must constantly produce new material while adapting to live-show realities.
Even with the stress of last-minute cuts and live rewrites, Saturday Night Live continues to create memorable characters, sketches, and cultural moments that last far beyond the broadcast. Sherman’s account offers a look behind the curtain at the uncertainty that comes with making comedy on live television, where success often depends as much on timing and flexibility as on the material itself.
