In a candid appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live cast member Mikey Day shared a cringe-worthy story about having to cut legendary director Steven Spielberg from a sketch during the SNL50 anniversary special, leading to what he described as an "awkward abyss." The incident unfolded amid the high-stakes production of the three-hour prime-time event on September 28, 2024, which celebrated 50 years of the iconic comedy show and featured a slew of celebrity cameos.
Day, who has been a writer and performer on SNL since 2013, recounted the decision to trim Spielberg's planned appearance from the "Close Encounters" sketch, a recurring bit that parodies alien abductions. According to Day, the sketch originally included Spielberg popping in at the end, playing himself and offering to make a movie about the characters' experiences. "Everyone loves Steven Spielberg. I love this man so much. He’s so important to me and so many people," Day told Fallon, emphasizing his admiration for the director behind classics like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and multiple Oscar-winning films.
The SNL50 special, broadcast live from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center, New York, was packed with stars, but time constraints forced tough choices. Day explained that the show was running long, prompting cuts across various segments. "And we’re like, ‘I think we have to cut Steven Spielberg,’ because it was an added thing! You know what I mean?" he said, expressing his discomfort. "I don’t even like talking about it! It makes me uncomfortable. Dude, I don’t like that this happened. I hate it. It’s an awful thing."
Spielberg, a three-time Academy Award winner known for blockbusters such as Jaws (1975), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), and Schindler's List (1993), had rehearsed for the cameo and was reportedly enthusiastic about participating. The sketch itself revolved around Kate McKinnon reprising her role as Colleen Rafferty, a chain-smoking abductee sharing outlandish stories alongside other witnesses. Despite Spielberg's absence in the final version, the segment aired with appearances from Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson, Jon Hamm, and former SNL cast member Aidy Bryant.
Day's story didn't end with the cut; it spilled over into an event the following night honoring SNL creator Lorne Michaels. There, Day encountered Spielberg again, leading to another uncomfortable exchange. After informing Spielberg's assistant about the edit, Day learned the director believed the entire sketch had been axed. "And I have awkwardness with Steven Spielberg because we had to cut him out of our sketch," Day recalled. "So I briefly talked to him and then he goes, ‘Yeah, the whole sketch was cut.’ I know that it wasn’t, because I would’ve heard, but instead of going, ‘Oh, I don’t think that’s right,’ I just went, ‘Oh no! The whole thing was cut? Nooo!'"
He continued, “A normal person would’ve gone, ‘Oh really? I don’t think so. Yeah, I think you might’ve heard wrong.’ But I just went, ‘Oh no, it was cut? Nooo!’ It was so awful.”
This mishap highlights the chaotic behind-the-scenes dynamics of live television, especially for a milestone event like SNL50, which drew over 5 million viewers according to Nielsen ratings. The special, produced by NBC and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, included tributes to the show's history, with alumni like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Will Ferrell making appearances. The "Close Encounters" sketch, first introduced in 2015, has become a fan favorite for its absurd humor, often featuring McKinnon's deadpan delivery of increasingly bizarre alien encounter tales.
Spielberg's intended role tied directly into his own cinematic legacy. As the director of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a film that grossed over $300 million worldwide and earned nine Oscar nominations, he would have brought meta-humor to the sketch. Day described Spielberg's scripted line: “Hey, I have experience in this subject matter, and I’d like to make a movie based on your life." The cut was purely logistical, Day insisted, not a reflection on Spielberg's contribution.
Reports from the set, as detailed in entertainment outlets like Deadline, confirm that Spielberg attended rehearsals on September 27, 2024, just a day before the broadcast. Insiders noted the special's runtime ballooned during dress rehearsals, necessitating trims to fit the allotted three hours, including commercials. Other sketches faced similar edits, though none garnered as much post-show attention as this one.
In the broader context of SNL's history, celebrity cameos have long been a staple, often leading to memorable moments or, in this case, regrettable omissions. Spielberg himself has a tangential connection to the show; his films have been parodied numerous times, and he previously appeared in a 1997 episode hosted by Jeff Goldblum. Day, who joined SNL as a writer in its 39th season and became a repertory player in 2016, is known for impressions of figures like Donald Trump Jr. and for co-creating sketches like "David S. Pumpkins" with Tom Hanks.
The awkward follow-up at the Lorne Michaels tribute event, held at a venue in New York on September 29, 2024, underscores the personal toll of such production decisions. Day's recounting on The Tonight Show, which aired on November 1, 2024, has since gone viral, amassing thousands of views on social media platforms. Fans and commentators have weighed in, with some suggesting Day could have advocated harder to keep Spielberg, though Day himself expressed only regret.
While the incident is lighthearted in retrospect, it speaks to the pressures faced by SNL writers and performers during anniversary specials. Past milestones, like the 40th anniversary in 2015, also featured star-studded lineups but managed to include heavyweights like Paul McCartney and Kanye West without reported cuts of this nature. For SNL50, the focus was on nostalgia, with segments revisiting classic characters and sketches from the show's run since its debut on October 11, 1975.
Looking ahead, Spielberg continues his prolific career, with upcoming projects including a new film adaptation and ongoing work through his production company, Amblin Entertainment. Day, meanwhile, remains a key player on SNL, contributing to its 50th season, which kicked off on September 28, 2024, the same night as the anniversary special. The show has already hosted guests like Ariana Grande and featured political satire amid the 2024 election cycle.
The story has sparked discussions in Hollywood circles about the unpredictability of live TV and the challenges of balancing star power with tight schedules. As Day put it, the experience left him spiraling, but it also provided fodder for late-night laughs. For fans of SNL and Spielberg, it's a reminder of what could have been—a close encounter between comedy and cinema royalty that almost was.
In the end, while Spielberg's cameo didn't make the cut, the SNL50 special succeeded in honoring the show's legacy, drawing praise for its mix of old and new talent. What's next for such collaborations remains to be seen, but incidents like this add to the lore of one of television's most enduring institutions.