Inside Andy Samberg's Decision to Bid Farewell to "Saturday Night Live

Former "Saturday Night Live" star Andy Samberg candidly shares the reasons behind his departure from the long-running sketch comedy show, citing an overwhelming schedule, physical exhaustion, and the absence of his writing collaborators.

Andy Samberg has unveiled the compelling factors that drove his decision to leave the iconic "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) stage in 2012. In a recent heartfelt conversation with comedian Kevin Hart on his Peacock talk show, "Hart to Heart," Samberg delved into the tumultuous journey that led him to bid farewell to the beloved show after a seven-season run.

Samberg's revelation stems from a profound realization: "It was a big choice. For me, it was like, I can't actually endure it anymore. But I didn't want to leave," confessed the former "SNL" alum. "Physically and emotionally, like I was falling apart in my life."

Inside Andy Samberg's Decision to Bid Farewell to "Saturday Night Live

The grueling schedule associated with "Saturday Night Live" proved to be an insurmountable challenge for Samberg. He meticulously detailed the demanding regimen that consumed his life: "I would write for the live show all day Tuesday, then attend a table read on Wednesday, write all day and into the night on Thursday, film and edit shorts on Friday, and go straight into filming for the live show on Saturday." This relentless pace took an unrelenting toll on his physical well-being, leading to a state of near exhaustion: "I hadn't slept in seven years basically."

Compounding Samberg's difficulties was the departure of his long-time writing partners, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, in 2010. The trio had formed an unbreakable bond both on and off screen, and their absence left a void that Samberg found difficult to fill. "I was basically left in charge of making the shorts, which I never pretended like I could do without them," confessed Samberg. "We made stuff I'm really proud of in those last two years, but there's something about the songs that I can only do with Akiva and Jorm. It's just how it is, we're just a band in that way."

Inside Andy Samberg's Decision to Bid Farewell to "Saturday Night Live

Samberg's decision to leave "SNL" was further influenced by his desire to explore new creative ventures. He had witnessed the success of his former castmate Amy Poehler, who had seamlessly transitioned to a starring role in the acclaimed sitcom "Parks and Recreation" after leaving "SNL." Samberg was inspired by Poehler's experience and saw the potential for a similar path for himself.

Upon his departure from "SNL," Samberg found his calling in the hilarious and heartwarming police comedy "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." For eight seasons, he portrayed Jake Peralta, a quirky and imaginative detective whose unconventional approach to law enforcement endeared him to audiences worldwide. However, despite the show's massive popularity, Samberg eventually felt the need to bring its narrative arc to a close.

Inside Andy Samberg's Decision to Bid Farewell to "Saturday Night Live

"On the one hand, I was like, I feel like eight years for a half hour comedy is a good run. On the other hand, I loved everyone I worked with, and I still felt like all the way to the last episode we were still making something that I enjoyed and was excited for people to see and was making us laugh," shared Samberg in an interview with SiriusXM Stars in 2022. While bidding farewell to "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" was an emotional experience, Samberg expressed gratitude for the indelible mark it had left on his career.

In reflecting on his departure from both "SNL" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," Samberg acknowledged the profound impact these experiences had on his life. "Saying goodbye was the hardest part by far. I thought I was going to be better prepared for it because I did seven years of ‘SNL’ and left, and I was like ‘OK, I’ve been through the hardest thing I can go through,' but it was in a lot of ways harder because the show doesn't continue on once we stop."

Andy Samberg's journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges, serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing new frontiers while cherishing the irreplaceable bonds forged along the way. His experiences offer a poignant reminder that endings can be as transformative as beginnings, leading to unanticipated opportunities and fulfillment.