"Kate McKinnon"

Key Takeaways

Will Arnett announced two upcoming projects: "Black Rabbit" and "Is This Thing On?"
Guest Kate McKinnon discussed her new middle-grade book, "The Secrets of the Purple Pearl."
McKinnon recounted her journey into comedy, including her first audition and SNL entry.
She reflected on her decision to depart from Saturday Night Live after a difficult process.
McKinnon shared details about her carpentry hobby, pursued after leaving SNL.
The conversation touched on McKinnon's experiences as an openly LGBTQ+ person during her career.

Will Arnett stars in "Black Rabbit," a news streaming show set to premiere on Netflix on September 18th.
His film "Is This Thing On?", also known as Triple Dot, is scheduled for a late 2023 release.
The film will premiere at the New York Film Festival in October, with a wider release slated for December.

A host recounted an interaction during McKinnon's early Saturday Night Live days, where both he and Lorne Michaels recognized her exceptional talent.
McKinnon discussed her awareness of her talent and how she processed this early industry recognition.
She attributes her desire to make people laugh to a church play around age 10, where her British accent as Cyrus, King of Persia, unexpectedly elicited laughter.

McKinnon recalled growing up on Long Island, noting that family members, particularly from Long Island, often used different voices.
She mentioned her appearance in the 'Barbie' movie, leading to a humorous question about whether she played 'Weird Barbie'.
A significant cultural event from her upbringing was the Amy Fisher-Joey Buttafuco incident, involving Fisher at 17 and Buttafuco at 35, with Buttafuco serving as her grandfather's mechanic.

Kate McKinnon transitioned from theatrical roles, including playing Joey in a stage production, to sketch comedy.
Her first audition was for 'The Big Gay Sketch Show' on the Logo network, which marked her early career in comedy.
She described challenges in early comedy work, such as performing with props like a chicken and wigs, and recalled an audition for 'In Living Color'.

McKinnon shared her unconventional post-graduation plans, which included dressing as Pippi Longstocking to sell popsicles or teaching English in Romania.
Her Saturday Night Live audition process was marked by intense nervousness, but she credits crucial encouragement from fellow comedian Bobby Moynihan for enabling her success.
She was hired late in the season at SNL and found supportive colleagues who helped her navigate the new environment.

McKinnon described her departure from Saturday Night Live as a difficult decision, driven by her dislike for change and goodbyes.
Despite acknowledging the show's family-like atmosphere, she appreciated the ability to maintain a healthier sleep schedule post-show.
Her post-SNL writing projects stemmed from a desire to create characters and engage with elements like big hair and funny names.

McKinnon's past work included 'The Big Gay Sketch Show' on Logo.
She discussed her experiences with being openly LGBTQ+ during her time on 'Saturday Night Live'.
McKinnon notably thanked Ellen DeGeneres during a public moment, highlighting the public nature of her identity throughout her career.

Kate McKinnon revealed that if not an actress and author, she would pursue carpentry, specifically making cabinets.
This is a hobby she developed after leaving Saturday Night Live, having completed several projects.
McKinnon identifies trim and molding as her specialty, humorously mentioning her visits to Lowe's.

The hosts expressed admiration for Kate McKinnon's comedic talent, versatile impressions, and ability to connect with audiences, referencing her work on Saturday Night Live.
McKinnon discussed her declining ability to memorize dialogue, leading to a reliance on cue cards while on SNL.
One host recalled doing an impression of an actress from the HBO series 'The Night of', while admitting the hosts do not do many impressions.