Tina Fey reflects on her SNL tenure, from 9/11 to Bush visits, admitting some jokes missed the mark in this insightful talk.
- April 26, 2026
AceShowbiz - Tina Fey recently took a reflective look back at her time on the iconic NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, which she left two decades ago. During a talk at History Talks, the two-time Golden Globe winner shared insights about the show's evolving relationship with current events and politics.
Tina Fey recounted how she started on SNL in 1997 and was present during pivotal moments, including the first show following the September 11 attacks. She described the challenge of figuring out how the show could address such heavy events while maintaining its comedic edge. She also recalled being there the day President George W. Bush visited to meet cast member Will Ferrell, and the time when anthrax threats affected the building.
Reflecting on the content, Tina Fey admitted that there were certain jokes she later realized she had been "on the wrong side" of, illustrating the complexities of comedy intersecting with sensitive topics. However, she emphasized that SNL does not seek to control the narrative and politics but rather uses humor as a lens on current events.
Over the years, Tina Fey has observed that the show's connection to timely news has become a "thinner and thinner veil," signaling how integral real-world issues have become to the sketch comedy format. Her reflections highlight the delicate balance the show maintains between satire and sensitivity in its long history.