‘We’re Gonna Blow It’: Bill Hader Recalls Josh Brolin’s Rallying Words Before SNL Bomb

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As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for comedy and a soft spot for behind-the-scenes stories, I found Bill Hader’s recent reminisce about his SNL flop utterly delightful. The anecdote serves as a stark reminder that even the most iconic stages can harbor moments of abysmal failure, and it’s these very missteps that humanize our beloved entertainers.

Bill Hader recently recounted a funny and honest story about one of his biggest flops on Saturday Night Live (SNL), which he experienced alongside host Josh Brolin in 2008. The actor reminisced about a sketch that didn’t go as planned, mentioning the inspiring pep talk given by Brolin before they went on stage.

The episode under discussion was broadcast in 2008 and showcased some unforgettable instances from Saturday Night Live’s past. It showcased Sarah Palin’s widely discussed appearance and a musical rendition by Adele. As per Hader, it was one of the most-watched SNL episodes to date.

As I recount this unforgettable moment, let me tell you, it was Sarah Palin who graced our stage, a fact I still can’t believe! In a conversation with the legendary Ted Danson on his podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, I shared my exhilaration. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, and the atmosphere in that room? It was electric, pulsating with energy that felt like fireworks leading up to the moment itself.

Instead of them, Hader and his co-star Will Forte faced a unique assignment. They were asked to enact a comedy sketch titled “Fart Face,” which was an idea they themselves had come up with. The sketch revolved around two eccentric characters named Jerry and Carl who frequently prank-call Josh Brolin’s character, Jim Dever.

During our dress rehearsal, the sketch didn’t seem very promising. As Hader put it, “It fell flat during the run-through, not even eliciting a sound from the audience, just the echo of my own footsteps.

In the drawing, Jerry and Carl are depicted discussing an issue with Dever over the phone, where they accuse him of having a rude facial expression. However, Dever, portrayed earnestly by Brolin, refutes this accusation through heartfelt dialogue, expressing his denial.

Hader recalled the rehearsal room was incredibly silent, as he put it, “It’s so quiet up there because the performance is falling flat.” The actors believed the act wouldn’t be included in the live broadcast.

Interestingly, contrary to expectations, producer Lorne Michaels saw things differently. As Hader put it, Lorne seemed to find something appealing about it and bumped it up in the show’s schedule, positioning it directly after Weekend Update. “He even left us a comment, ‘I had a boom shadow in Fart Face,’ which we still chuckle over.

Hader and Forte were fully aware they had some big shoes to fill. The audience was still electrified following Sarah Palin’s rap alongside Amy Poehler on Weekend Update, and their energetic act had the crowd absolutely thrilled.

Prior to taking the stage, Brolin addressed Hader and Forte in a blend of humor and resolve, saying something along the lines of “He gave us a look as if we were at the end of The Wild Bunch and declared ‘Well, guys, let’s silence these crowd.’ However, despite his motivating words, the sketch flopped exactly as anticipated. Laughing it off, Hader confessed that they went out there, but the audience remained unimpressed.

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2024-11-15 11:07