Anthony Michael Hall is looking back on his brief but impactful time on “Saturday Night Live” following the show’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.
The veteran actor, who was once the youngest cast member in the show’s history,
opened up about his experience on the iconic late-night series, revealing both the challenges and emotional reflections tied to that period of his career.
Hall, now 56, joined SNL in 1985 for its 11th season at the age of 17.
At the time, he was already well-known for his roles in classic John Hughes films, including “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Sixteen Candles” (1984),
and two back-to-back hits in 1985—”The Breakfast Club” and “Weird Science.”
His tenure on SNL coincided with a major transitional phase for the show, as creator Lorne Michaels had just returned as executive producer after a five-year hiatus.
The 11th season of SNL has often been referred to as the “weird year,” featuring an ensemble cast that included Hall, Robert Downey Jr., Joan Cusack, Randy Quaid, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, and others. Despite its star power, the season faced intense criticism, with some suggesting it nearly led to the cancellation of the long-running series.
Jon Lovitz, another cast member from that era, recently spoke about the rough reception that season received, telling PEOPLE that “the press slammed it from the beginning.” Hall echoed similar sentiments, admitting that he had long tried to bury his memories of that time due to the overwhelmingly negative response.
During the SNL 50th-anniversary special, which aired on February 14 and 16, Hall had the chance to reconnect with former colleagues and reflect on his past experiences. Speaking to PEOPLE, he described the opportunity as “surreal,” especially recalling the excitement he felt when Michaels personally invited him to join the show.
“I was a huge Eddie Murphy fan growing up,” Hall shared. “Watching SNL in high school, I looked forward to everything Eddie did and really looked up to him. So getting that call from Lorne was unbelievable.”
Despite the excitement of joining the show, Hall revealed that he initially hesitated to participate in the Peacock docuseries “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night.” The four-part documentary revisits pivotal moments in the show’s history, including the turbulent 11th season. “I was like, ‘Oh, no. I think I’ll pass,’” Hall admitted. “We got so beat up at the time with the reviews, and honestly, I never even watched the episodes.”
However, Hall’s perspective shifted after a heartfelt conversation with Laila Nabulsi, an associate producer from his season. “We had a three-and-a-half-hour call, and it was like reconnecting with an old friend,” he recalled. “We laughed, we made fun of ourselves and the season, and reflected on how crazy it all was. It was cathartic.”
Following that conversation, Hall decided to finally watch his SNL episodes. He described the experience as “pulling an all-nighter” and compared it to the emotional conclusion of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “It was cathartic. It was healing,” he said. “It kind of lifted all the negativity I had in my head about it.”
For years, Hall had carried the weight of the season’s reputation, believing it to be one of SNL’s worst. However, rewatching the episodes gave him a new appreciation for the experience. “It allowed me to let go of all that baggage. It was like an out-of-body experience,” he said. “I realized I was an idiot for not embracing it sooner.”
Now starring in the third season of Amazon Prime’s hit series “Reacher,” Hall seems to have found closure regarding his SNL past. “Of course, I had to do the documentary,” he added. “Looking back, it was a unique time, and I’m grateful to have been a part of the show’s history.”
Hall’s reflections serve as a reminder of how time and perspective can change one’s feelings about the past. Though his SNL season was met with criticism, he now sees it as an integral chapter in his career—one that helped shape him into the actor he is today.
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