It’s hard to believe that it was 50 years ago this year that Saturday Night Live made its debut on television. A four-part docuseries is coming out this week on Peacock, SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night, which will give fans a look inside the show's making. Who knew that The Interview was so timely? I am doing the same in this week's episode.
It was such a delight to sit down with 7-time Emmy Winner, Lindsay Shookus. For over twenty years, Lindsay worked in and became head of the talent department at SNL. Not only did she have one of the most exciting and, as she would say, ‘pinch me’ careers that exist in entertainment (managing, booking, and discovering the talent for one of the greatest and longest-running comedy shows ever on television), but she learned so many important life lessons along the way.
After leaving SNL in 2023, Lindsay has gone on to speak to thousands of people about the wisdom she gained during her time on the show and the importance of cultivating relationships with people during your career. Lindsay is also the Co-Founder of ‘Women Work F***ing Hard’ – a group connecting and boosting women.
In this conversation, Lindsay gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the production of SNL. She shares so many stories and experiences from her time there: from getting Snickers bars and vodka for the amazing Betty White to discovering Kristen Wiig on a tape, to getting a boost to her career from Alec Baldwin.
Lindsay and I also talked about what it’s like to work in that high-energy, 24/7 environment and incorporate that type of all-encompassing work with being a mother. We explore the important lessons learned from her time on SNL and how she approaches her life and work today.
I loved taping this episode with Lindsay – she is down to earth, hilarious, and incredibly wise. I know you’ll love listening to her amazing stories about life behind the scenes at SNL and the lessons she learned along the way.
If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
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