Abby Elliott reveals challenge of 'Saturday Night Live': 'It's just not a nurturing environment'
In 2008, 21-year-old Abby Elliott became the youngest female player ever cast on Saturday Night Live. The comedian, whose father Chris Elliott had also appeared on the show from 1994 to 1995, had an up-and-down tenure that lasted four seasons and included memorable impressions of Rachel Maddow, Anna Faris and Zooey Deschanel.
While promoting her new dark comedy Clara’s Ghost alongside co-stars/family members Chris, Bridey Elliott and Paula Niedert Elliott, Abby, now 31, reflected on her time at SNL.
“It was insane,” she said (watch above). “I don’t think I could do it now, actually. I go to bed too early. And I don’t know that I’d want to. When I was 21, I just had stars in my eyes and I was just ready to do whatever. I was eager and willing to be thrown in.
“It was super-difficult. It was super-emotional. But also really exciting and I had a great time. And it’s such a good learning [experience]. I just learned so much. It was like my college experience, pretty much.”
One of the harshest realities for young performers is the show’s infamously cutthroat nature in vying for screen time. In other words, don’t expect a mentor.
“That was kind of the problem,” said Abby, who has since starred in Bravo’s Odd Mom Out and appeared on shows like Inside Amy Schumer and 2 Broke Girls. “It’s just not a nurturing environment. It’s very competitive. You’re competing against your friends, your fellow castmates, who are trying to get airtime. So you never felt secure. Every week was different. You could have a great show one week and then not be in the show the next week. That was my life, then, and that was what determined my happiness. And so coming out of that show it’s like, no professional experience has been that difficult, and I don’t know that it ever will.”
Watch the Elliotts talk about working together in Clara’s Ghost:
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