Joy Behar recalls 'depressing' audition for “Saturday Night Live”: 'Prayed that I didn't get the job'

The comedian and talk show host said Lorne Michaels — who famously doesn't laugh during "SNL" auditions — also didn't crack during her 1975 audition.

Actress and talk show host Joy Behar regularly fires off political jokes (and warnings about the dangers of World War III) on weekday mornings at The View's Hot Topics table, but her signature brand of comedy could've found a different home on late-night airwaves if fate hadn't intervened.

The 81-year-old recalled Wednesday on The View's companion podcast Behind the Table that she once auditioned to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1975, shortly after beginning her career as a stand-up comedian.

"There was a period I tried to get on, because I had this funny character that I did. I had to audition for [SNL creator-producer] Lorne Michaels," Behar told View producer Brian Teta, indicating that she'd tell the full story in her upcoming book. "He never laughed, and after I was done, he said, 'That was funny.' I said, 'You didn't laugh,' and he said, 'I don't want to laugh because then you'll think you have a job.' I said, 'That's okay, don't worry about it.' I didn't even want the job, to tell you the truth."

Teta then reminded Behar that Michaels is famous for purposely not laughing during SNL auditions, though Behar admitted it was still "a little depressing to have to audition for somebody and they don't laugh" at the material.

"I was so not ready for the stress of a job like that, that I prayed that I didn't get the job," Behar continued. "And I didn't!"

Behar's career led her to other places in the comedy world, as she appeared in numerous Hollywood roles (including in the short-lived sitcom Baby Boom and Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery film) until she landed her seat at The View table for its inaugural season in 1997. She has since appeared on every season of the long-running talk show except for seasons 17 and 18, when Behar said she was fired from the program.

The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET on ABC. Listen to Behar discuss her SNL audition above.

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