SNL Raised Me: How Female Comics Bring Me Peace And Amplify My Voice
Make it stand out
Written by Abigail Murphy
Art by Sadie Swayze
The year is 2008: Barack Obama and John McCain are in the running to be the next president of the United States. What were their policies? I don’t remember, I was eight. I couldn’t tell you a single fact about that election.
The only memory that sticks with me is a six-minute-long comedy sketch. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took the stage as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton on September 13, 2008. Amy encapsulated Hillary’s withering patience. Tina looked at the camera dead on, wearing the perfect Palin-core attire, and said, “I can see Russia from my house!”
They were astonishing. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. And I didn’t even understand politics! They were just so hilarious that it didn’t matter. According to a 2012 political study, young Republicans and Independents who watched Tina’s portrayal of Sarah Palin were statistically less likely to support the 2008 Republican ticket. The authors dubbed it “The Fey Effect.”
The female comedians on Saturday Night Live are geniuses. Whether they are writing sketches or impersonating celebrities (Maya Rudolph impersonated 47 celebrities on SNL alone), they are captivating. They broke records, obtaining hundreds of Emmy nominations. Tina Fey was the first female head writer in 1997. SNL creator Lorne Michaels said of Fey’s work, “There’s something for you to enjoy after you’ve finished laughing.” Because that’s the thing about female comedy: it has intelligence and heart. It makes you laugh, think, and realize that you are capable of creating anything you want.
What followed in the 2010s was an SNL female renaissance. In 2009, Kristen Wiig appeared in more sketches than any other cast member. She marketed her oddity, portraying characters that became household names. Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Aidy Bryant performed the iconic “Do It in My Twin Bed,” which was featured on Entertainment Weekly’s 2014 Best TV Scenes of the Year. Each SNL female comedian listed above (and many more) went on to have successful careers in television, film, theater, etc. SNL fame was their catalyst to stardom. Following their inspirational time on Saturday Night Live, the comedians listed above had illustrious careers of their own. Tina Fey went on to star in the hit NBC show 30 Rock.
Oh, and she wrote a little movie called Mean Girls. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Amy Poehler starred as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, earning six Emmy nominations. Both Poehler and Fey credit their work ethic and the ever-changing lens of comedy to their success. Both of them work on inclusive projects that amplify female voices.
In her May 2021 Variety interview, Fey said, “Women in writer’s rooms are often seen like cappuccino machines, if we have one why do we need another one? In any project I work on, I try proactively to make the room as diverse as possible.”
Inspiration is crucial, especially for creative little girls looking for their own voice. We learn about female nurses and teachers in school—that’s expected of us. But what about those of us who want to be writers? Performers? Stand-up comics? A majority of our textbooks are written by men. So, even if we are reading about Jane Austen in 9th grade, it is through the male perspective.
I remember looking outside of school for inspiration. I found SNL clips on YouTube. I was immediately inspired to start writing. Not because I thought I would wake up as Amy Poehler, but because I knew how to try. Once we find role models that think and create like us, amplifying that creativity in a public space doesn’t seem so scary.
Caroline Reese ‘20 said about SNL inspiration, “Tina Fey and I share a birthday; her authenticity and originality have always inspired me. Sometimes I like to think we’re the same person. I hope to someday tell stories like she does.” Finding your creative voice takes courage. My comedy idols inspired my writing and simply made me laugh. Of course, their writing was genius, but what meant the most to me was their ambition. Recognizing your strengths and creating something is only half the battle. Not only are you capable of producing great work, you should showcase it publicly. What sets the women of Saturday Night Live apart is their tenacity in their creativity. Once you have something to say, it is imperative to let the world hear it.