<\/span><\/p>\n [post_page_title]John Goodman[\/post_page_title] <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [post_page_title]John Goodman[\/post_page_title] The beginning of the eighties weren’t so good to John Goodman as the multi award winner didn’t earn his SNL golden moment when the producers decided to hire Joe Piscopo instead. We’d like to believe that it was due to the actor’s lack of experience when he came to audition, otherwise, there isn’t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":14991,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe beginning of the eighties weren’t so good to John Goodman as the multi award winner didn’t earn his SNL golden moment when the producers decided to hire Joe Piscopo instead. We’d like to believe that it was due to the actor’s lack of experience when he came to audition, otherwise, there isn’t a good enough reason we could think of why anyone would give up on hiring the talented actor. Lucky for everyone, Goodman did eventually host the show, 13 times to be exact as well as made several cameo appearances.
\n![\"33DFDB5C-A4B6-4009-B580-FF5ED5784A49\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28112113\/33DFDB5C-A4B6-4009-B580-FF5ED5784A49.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Steve Carell[\/post_page_title]
\nIt must have been one uncomfortable ride home after both Carell and his wife, Nancy Walls, auditioned for NBC’s show back in1995, because only Nancy ended up getting the part. At the end everything worked out for the best as Carell became the mega celebrity that he is today, after starring in some great television shows including The Office, as well as in countless movies. The 40-Year-Old-Virgin star might be an SNL virgin, but he has definitely placed his mark in the show business.
\n![\"spl936069_038Ov0UC\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111915\/spl936069_038Ov0UC.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Kathy Griffin[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen you’re young and hungry for any type of gig you can land, you’d pretty much agree to anything, even if it’s to be part of a very scripted (yet hilarious) show as Saturday Night Live. Griffin was up there on stage when SNL scouts came to see the improv comedy group, The Groundlings alongside Lisa Kudrow and Julia Sweeney, whom we all know, landed the glorious part. Griffin doesn’t hold a grudge against the show, as the stand up comedian has been doing quite well for herself.
\n![\"dish-042012-kathy-griffin-chelsea-handlerihVNL\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111915\/dish-042012-kathy-griffin-chelsea-handlerihVNL.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Louis C.K.[\/post_page_title]
\nAlthough the comedian did eventually make his way onto the show, his history with SNL goes a long way back to 1993 when Louis C.K. auditioned for a spot and was turned down. He auditioned alongside other big names including Sarah Silverman, Laura Kightlinger and Dave Attell, who got cast. It was a bitter-sweet experience for the actor, who did receive a call just a couple of days later from the Late Night with Conan O’Brien who wanted him to write for the show. C.K hosted SNL in November 2012, an episode where he was later nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
\n![\"LouisCK2-640x480-1-640x480jv3Cu\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111916\/LouisCK2-640x480-1-640x480jv3Cu.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Paul Reubens[\/post_page_title]
\nAnother Groundling alumni, Paul Reubens, auditioned for a spot on SNL in 1980, however lost it to Gilbert Gottfried. Being rejected by SNL made him quite angry, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing something greater and going for something big with his career. Reubens who was quoted saying ‘I thought, \u2018You better think about doing something to take this to the next level’, did in fact take it to the next level, and that’s when the Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse was born, earning the comedian many Emmy awards.
\n![\"pee-wee-star-paul-reubens-blows-the-lid-off-hollywoods-biggest-secret-digital-retouching-of-actorsd2Ovp\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111916\/pee-wee-star-paul-reubens-blows-the-lid-off-hollywoods-biggest-secret-digital-retouching-of-actorsd2Ovp.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Stephen Colbert[\/post_page_title]
\nWhile one SNL scout, Robert Smigel, was impressed with the late night host when he performed at Chicago\u2019s Second City, others weren’t as much. Smigel did however help Colbert land his next big break when Colbert and fellow actor friend, Steve Carell were signed as writers on The Dana Carvey Show back in 1996. The 52 year old did receive his own Late Show after he replaced David Letterman in 2015. He is also set to host the Emmy Awards this coming September.
\n![\"Stephen_Colbert_2014mN7Vg\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111917\/Stephen_Colbert_2014mN7Vg.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Jennifer Coolidge[\/post_page_title]
\nStifler’s Mom was also one of the many who auditioned for the funny show. In 1995, Coolidge went in to ry and win over a spot on the show when she auditioned alongside Cheri Oteri, Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell. The other three were eventually hiredm while the actress went on ti pursue a career in film mostly. She is best know for her roles on the American Pie film series, Legally Blonde and A Cinderella Story.
\n![\"17583648912709\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111919\/17583648912709.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Marc Maron[\/post_page_title]
\nThe rumor has it that Maron failed his SNL audition over a piece of candy. Yes, it was a Jolly Rancher that he allegedly took from Lorne Michaels’ desk when he met him in 1996 that he believes made the producer turn him down. Maron, who is highly known for his petty behavior, claims that when he took the candy from the desk, he noticed a look between Michaels and SNL’s head writer, a look he knew, could only mean one thing: ‘I walked out of there thinking I ruined my career because of a Jolly Rancher. I don’t even like Jolly Ranchers.’
\n![\"medium_b526d71b7ea9005eb6b097e6d8b51b41bPEbJ\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111919\/medium_b526d71b7ea9005eb6b097e6d8b51b41bPEbJ.jpeg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Dane Cook[\/post_page_title]
\nIf you were going to lose to someone, at least make it be Will Forte. The comedian and actor auditioned for season 28 of the show, and he allegedly lost a spot to Will Forte. It’s not quite clear what happened there, because according to Cook, he rejected the role as he didn’t want to be a ‘benchwarmer’. In any case, Cook’s career did manage to take off, and he has been invited to host the show more than once since then. In fact, he hosted the premier of season 32.
\n![\"8453_Dane-Cook_copy_2gu1ch\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111920\/8453_Dane-Cook_copy_2gu1ch.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Zach Galifianakis[\/post_page_title]
\nZach Galifianakis actually tried his luck with the show after he tried to enter through the back door, literally. The actor has been writing for SNL for a while before he auditioned to be a regular, so you would assume he would have a pretty good idea of how things work and what they expect, however that didn’t help The Hangover star land a spot. He did however, return to guest-host in 2010, 20122 and later in 2013.
\n![\"galifianakis-thumb-56a918bdefa36i4a6A\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111922\/galifianakis-thumb-56a918bdefa36i4a6A.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Kevin Hart[\/post_page_title]
\nHe may not have won their hearts in 2013 when he went in to audition, but it’s safe to say that Kevin Hart did do quite well in terms of his acting career. Hart auditioned while doing an impression of Avery Johnson, former NBA coach, an impression he later mentioned in his opening monologue when he did host the show eventually justifying his rejection ‘I found out that white people don’t know who Avery Johnson is’.
\n![\"AP553136470146_25zsoGn\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111923\/AP553136470146_25zsoGn.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]David Cross[\/post_page_title]
\nThe Mr. Show man didn’t land a spot on SNL after he failed to stand out in his audition for the show. Cross brought his Boston humor but it wasn’t enough for the already crowded halls of NBC’s sketch show. The actor and stand up comedian, did manage to do very well for himself as he and Bob Odenkirk basically brought a whole new sense of humor with their comedy series, Mr. Show. Cross also had a small guest role on Modern Family where he played the role of the city councilman, Duane Bailey.
\n![\"david-cross-net-worth2EHpLI\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111924\/david-cross-net-worth2EHpLI.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Kerri Kenney-Silver[\/post_page_title]
\nWho thought that auditioning for Saturday Night Live could be so scary? Well, of you’d ask the Reno 911! star, Kerri Kenney, it’s pretty much the most terrifying thing she has experienced. The star has talked about her failed attempt from 1996 saying ‘I believe they must do it that way on purpose because since then I’ve never had an audition so terrifying\u2026 Sit and wait, cold room. I feel like I was in a basement that was like seven buildings away and someone comes and gets you in a page jacket and they lead you through hallways and you’re trying to keep up with your bag of props and hit the mark. You have four minutes. Do your best this, this, and this\u2026 I got no laughs, and at the time, I thought, \u2018Wow, if I want to be in this business, this is what it\u2019s going to be every time.’
\n![\"SGG-088657zXxe8\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111924\/SGG-088657zXxe8.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Paul Scheer[\/post_page_title]
\nIt wasn’t ‘second time’s a charm’ for The League star, because he failed to land a role on SNL not once, but twice. When the actor came in the second time in 2002, just one year after his first audition and after he was scouted outside Upright Citizens Brigade, he finally got to sit down with Michaels. He did however manage to blow that one up after he failed to answer his questions in a way that might have gotten him the part.
\n![\"1237350_10152660434709079_542034939532895479_ogvCiH\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111925\/1237350_10152660434709079_542034939532895479_ogvCiH.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Jeff Ross[\/post_page_title]
\nThe Weekend Update sketch has one hot seat that everyone wants to sit on. When the comedian went in to try and land the spot in 2000, however he lost to to Jimmy Fallon Tina Fey who came with her experience of three years as a head writer. Hey, if you are going to be passed out, at least it’s to mega stars and incredibly funny people like Fallon and Fey. He later went on to appear in several shows, including Dancing with the Stars.
\n![\"j_tbj_01_0103_03_640x360U5cHW\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111926\/j_tbj_01_0103_03_640x360U5cHW.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Donald Glover[\/post_page_title]
\nThe multi talented performer who is not only a great actor but a singer, a comedian and a songwriter, went in to audition in 2008 to be part of the funny cast of Saturday Night Live. He went in to portray the role of the president, who had just been elected at the time. It was Fred Armisen, though, who ended up with the big role. It didn’t stop Glover from pursuing a successful musical career.
\n![\"fm2_8864k00u6\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111927\/fm2_8864k00u6.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Dave Attell[\/post_page_title]
\nHe is mostly known for hosting Comedy Central’s Insomniac, but Attell is also one of many who tried his luck with the successful comedy sketch show. In 1993, Attell went in to audition, however, it was his writing skills hat mostly interested the producers. He was offered to write for the 1993-1994 season and later left to work for The Jon Stewart Show. At the end of the day he was part of SNL’s success, which is all that really matters.
\n![\"atell2B4zZK\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111928\/atell2B4zZK.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Richard Belzer[\/post_page_title]
\nBefore he became an actor on the crime drama series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the 72 year old made his first show business footsteps in the comedy genre. Belzer was only a warm-up comic in the show’s first season and never made it to be a regular. He has claimed for many years that legendary founder, Lorne Michaels, promised him a regular spot on the show but didn’t keep his promise – ‘Lorne betrayed me and lied to me\u2014which he denies\u2014but I give you my word he said’.
\n![\"richard-belzer-1XEsmq\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111928\/richard-belzer-1XEsmq.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Adam McKay[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen you think of Adam McKay, you can’t not associate him with another funny man, Will Ferrell of course. When McKay first auditioned for the show for the 1995 season, he didn’t make the cut. The producers, however, did think his writing skills were extraordinary that they offered him a job as a regular writer. McKay became a writer for SNL and he worked on the show from 1995 through 2001. He may not have been a formal cast member, but McKay did appear in front of the camera when he had a recurring role as Keith, an annoying audience member who would interrupt the opening monologues.
\n![\"adam-mckay-184153_828x1104bWnIb\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111932\/adam-mckay-184153_828x1104bWnIb.png\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Kel Mitchell[\/post_page_title]
\nThere is really nothing worse that going with a fellow actor friend to audition for the same show and the only one of the duo gets hired. That was the case for Mitchell, who went in to audition after he starred on Nickelodeon’s hit show, Kenan & Kel with Kenan Thompson. Both stars auditioned in hopes to become cast members, but as you might have already guesses, only Kenan landed the job.
\n![\"spl1121095_001vZG8h\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111934\/spl1121095_001vZG8h.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Rob Huebel[\/post_page_title]
\nThe Children’s Hospital actor tried his luck with SNL a few times actually in the 2000’s, but despite all of his funny attempts, the 47-year-old never got the job. Huebel has talked a lot about his experience from the auditions: ‘I auditioned twice, one year I got to go in and do that at 30 Rock but they really ice you out. They try to make it as scary as possible because it\u2019s a live show, and in real life, I\u2019m sure it is terrifying and things do go wrong, so they want you to be prepared \u2026 It\u2019s the most intimidating thing. I know Rob Riggle auditioned the same year, and he got it and I was happy for him, but it didn\u2019t work out for me.’
\n![\"Huebel\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28112847\/Huebel-681x1024.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Mindy Kaling[\/post_page_title]
\nKaling had some big dreams for herself before she moved to New York. She thought she would just audition for SNL, get hired and find her future husband. Things, however, didn’t work out as well as Mindy had thought. In fact, it was he boss from The Office, Greg Daniels who stopped her from getting a slot because he told her she would have to break her contract with The Office if she were to become a regular cast member. In 2006, Kaling did get close to SNL when she co-wrote parts of an April episode.
\n![\"20-mindy-kaling.w529.h529iVKjq\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111935\/20-mindy-kaling.w529.h529iVKjq.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Nick Kroll[\/post_page_title]
\nThe League actor tried his luck when he auditioned for Saturday Night Live in 2008. However, there were other actors including Abby Elliott, Michaela Watkins and Bobby Moyniha who impressed the casting team better than Kroll. He didn’t let that bump stop him from pursuing a very successful career though. He created and starred in the Comedy Central series Kroll Show and has had many other supporting roles, especially on television.
\n![\"2016+Toronto+International+Film+Festival+Sing+ZweuNVic7EwlQUupU\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111935\/2016%2BToronto%2BInternational%2BFilm%2BFestival%2BSing%2BZweuNVic7EwlQUupU.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Jorma Taccone & Akiva Schaffer[\/post_page_title]
\nThe funny trio of The Lonely Island who met when they were in junior high, are apparently inseparable. The three talented guys went in together to audition for Saturday Night Live after Jimmy Fallon highly recommended the troup to Lorne Michaels. However, the only lucky one to be cast was Andy Samberg. While Samberg made it as a cast member, the other two weren’t left behind and joined as writers in 2005. Some of their sketches have become internet sensations.
\n![\"Spike+TV+Guys+Choice+2013+Red+Carpet+RpNm6TCnDfwlfnzHK\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111936\/Spike%2BTV%2BGuys%2BChoice%2B2013%2BRed%2BCarpet%2BRpNm6TCnDfwlfnzHK.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Jack McBrayer[\/post_page_title]
\nMcBrayer is one of the biggest surprises when it comes to SNL rejects. The 30 Rock star tried his luck in 2001 when he came up with fellow actor, Seth Meyers. McBrayer didn’t make it eventually, but he did get a chance to let his comedian self shine through when he was on the Tina Fey show where he also had a chance to work with many SNL stars including Will Ferrell, Chris Parnell and Tracey Morgan.
\n![\"jack-mcbrayer-premiere-wreck-it-ralph-01ZSGnB\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111937\/jack-mcbrayer-premiere-wreck-it-ralph-01ZSGnB.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Geena Davis[\/post_page_title]
\nWhile she might not be the obvious SNL typecast, the Oscar winner auditioned for the funny show for its 1984-1985 season, however she lost the spot to Pamela Stephenson. According to a former producer who was working at the time, Geena just wasn’t a natural fit when they were searching for another female member to join the cast. It seems like Davis has found her sweet spot in film and on television.
\n![\"geena-davis-at-24th-annual-women-in-entertainment-breakfast-12-09-2015_1\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111938\/geena-davis-at-24th-annual-women-in-entertainment-breakfast-12-09-2015_1.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Lisa Kudrow[\/post_page_title]
\nLittle did Lisa Kudrow know when the producers decided to pass on her in the beginning of the nineties, because as it turned out for the former comedian, greater things were waiting for her just around the corner. The Friends star lost the one spot that was left for joining the show in 1990, to her fellow Groundlings performer, Julia Sweeney, when the producers flew to L.A. to see the two perform live on stage. We have a feeling Kudrow doesn’t regret not being hired on the show.
\n![\"03-lisa-kudrow.w529.h529\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28112224\/03-lisa-kudrow.w529.h529.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Aubrey Plaza[\/post_page_title]
\nIt was only one year before she landed the role of April Ludgate on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, that Plaza was rejected by SNL. The actress was quoted in an interview saying ‘I wanted to be on that show for as long as I could remember’. It’s hard to tell what it exactly that made the creative team pass on the actress for their funny show, in any case, it seems like Plaza has found her sweet spot in terms of her acting career.
\n![\"o-AUBREY-PLAZA-570MvNQ7\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111921\/o-AUBREY-PLAZA-570MvNQ7-e1490700326389.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Adrien Brody[\/post_page_title]
\nYou could say that Lorne Michaels was no pleased with Brody’s little improvisation, to say the least. When the actor hosted the show in 2003, he had to introduce\u00a0reggae musician and performer, Sean Paul. In order to ‘get into character’, he put on fake dreadlocks and started mumbling in a very stereotypical Jamaican accent. It took 45 seconds of monologue to have\u00a0him banned from the show forever.
\n![\"9f1ab21dd7d655264070c7e0e50173fd\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/19053446\/9f1ab21dd7d655264070c7e0e50173fd.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Louise Lasser[\/post_page_title]
\nThe 78 year old actress who was also married to Woody Allen for four years, hosted an episode at the end of season one back in 1976. Lasser was actually the first one to ever be banned from the funny show and it was due to her\u00a0inability to cooperate with the cast and just an overall unpleasant behavior. She reportedly refused to go up on stage and appear alongside\u00a0other actors.
\n![\"images\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/19052544\/images1.jpeg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Steven Seagal[\/post_page_title]
\nNot only was the actor banned from the successful sketch show, Seagal was also named by Lorne Michaels himself as the ‘worst host ever.’ The action film actor was invited to host the April 20, 1991 show on SNL, and apparently he was way too difficult to work with, was arrogant with the crew and had, according to the producers, some really awful sketch ideas. It’s so safe to say that Seagal’s overall experience on SNL was\u00a0simply bad.
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/19051041\/261493-steven-seagal-bientot-en-tournage-de-950x0-3-e1493294751855-884x1024.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Jim Carrey[\/post_page_title]
\nThe Yes Man actor, apparently didn’t receive a lot of ‘yeses’ throughout his career, not as many as you would expect from such a talented and funny actor, which makes it even more surprising to find out that Jim Carrey was actually rejected not once, but twice from SNL. The first time Carrey went in to audition was in 1980 when Jean Doumanian, who replaced the original creator of the show, Lorne Michaels, decided to hire actor, Charlie Rocket instead of Carrey. The second time was in 1985 when Carrey failed to win over the producers’ attention. Eventually, Carrey didn’t need to put on a Mask for that matter as he did make it to the funny stage when he hosted the show in 1996, 2011 and again 2014.
\n![\"111de525-816e-4162-a0ea-fa4b1b12f7bapjimy\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/28111913\/111de525-816e-4162-a0ea-fa4b1b12f7bapjimy.jpg\")