Did you know that Jennifer Aniston once turned down a chance to join the iconic cast of Saturday Night Live because of her concerns about how women were treated on the show? This unexpected revelation shines a light on the struggles and perceptions surrounding gender dynamics in comedy. Now, let’s delve deep into this intriguing story, as Aniston reflects on her past decision and the journey that followed.
In a recent episode of the podcast Armchair Expert hosted by Dax Shepard, Jennifer Aniston shared her thoughts about the time she declined an opportunity to be a part of the SNL cast before achieving fame on Friends. At 56 years old, she candidly stated, "I always thought I was such hot s---. The story of that is all very confusing."
Aniston recounted a pivotal meeting she had with SNL creator Lorne Michaels in New York City, where she unexpectedly encountered famous comedians Adam Sandler and David Spade. She reminisced, "And I knew Sandler forever," highlighting her long-standing friendship with him. Dax, curious about their relationship, asked if their connection predated her Friends fame, to which Aniston confirmed, sharing a humorous backstory that Sandler was friends with her colleague from a less successful adaptation of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Reflecting on her thought process back then, Aniston expressed her concerns about gender equality within the sketch comedy realm, stating, "I don’t know why I had this self-righteous attitude of 'I don’t know if women are treated the way they should be treated on this show.' It was very male-dominated at the time, and I longed for the days when women like Gilda Radner were celebrated."
The actress humorously admitted to being vague about the exact details of that critical moment, but she did remember that shortly after, her breakthrough series Friends came along. During a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she recounted her audacious conversation with Michaels, where she voiced her doubts about the show's treatment of female cast members. "I was so young and naive, and I remember going into Lorne's office and saying, 'I hear women are not respected on this show.' It's quite amusing when I think about who I was at the time."
She added, "It was undeniably a boys’ club back then, but who the hell was I to make such bold statements to Lorne Michaels?" Despite her initial reservations, Aniston has since hosted Saturday Night Live twice—once in 1999 and again in 2004, experiences she cherishes.
In a conversation on The Howard Stern Show in 2019, she reiterated her feelings about the gender imbalance on SNL, recalling, "I think that women need to be treated better here." Looking back, she laughed, acknowledging her youthful naivety: "You’re not particularly wise in your early 20s, right?"
On a celebratory note, SNL alum Molly Shannon fondly remembered Aniston during the show’s 50th anniversary, describing her as "very laid back" while hosting. Shannon admired Aniston’s professionalism and ease, recognizing her extensive experience in television at that time.
For those who can't get enough of these insights, remember to subscribe to PEOPLE's daily newsletter for more engaging stories from the world of entertainment! Tune in to Saturday Night Live every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and catch Aniston in The Morning Show, streaming on Apple TV+.
What are your thoughts on Aniston's past decision? Did she make the right choice in rejecting SNL? Is there a lingering problem with female representation in comedy today? Join the conversation and share your opinions!
