Interview · moment 6 of 36
The SNL Audition Process and Landing the Job
from #173 - Shane Gillis | The Tim Dillon Show · #173
5 min
Guest
Shane walks through what actually happens during an SNL audition — the waiting rooms, testing in front of Lorne Michaels, and getting the callback — describing it as a grueling, high-pressure process.
- Shane Gillis got fired so that none of us can get hired, Tim's agent called the day it happened to tell him they could kiss SNL goodbye.
- What's great about comedy is like sports — there are definite winners and losers, and crushing on stage means you're winning.
- The SNL audition process is hard and gets in a lot of people's heads; making it through says something about you.
- He was discovered at JFL Anyfest and called in to test, which meant auditioning on the main stage in front of the whole studio and Lorne Michaels.
- Candidates wait in the green room for two or three hours while everyone else auditions — intentional pressure to see if you can handle a live show.
- Tim sat in the green room with a lip of tobacco, telling himself there was zero chance he'd get it, which turned out to be the best mindset.
- You walk onto a big empty room with two cameras, the guy says your name, you do your set, and then you get off — he didn't even see the stage until he walked out.
- The audience was laughing the whole time, which felt like a good sign since people usually don't laugh at these auditions.
- The callback was just to come meet the writers and producers — everyone was cool and it was an awesome experience.
- Getting SNL was never on his agenda, but as soon as he got it he was thrilled about it.