Why Jim Breuer Quit SNL | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this video, Jim Breuer discusses his experience on SNL and the competitive and cutthroat nature of the show. He talks about how some cast members and writers would steal ideas and how he confronted them about it. He also shares how the pressure and negativity of the show affected him personally and led to him smoking a lot of pot to cope. Jim's wife eventually encouraged him to quit SNL, recognizing the toll it was taking on his happiness and personality. Jim also shares some words of wisdom from Lorne Michaels.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Jim Breuer's experience like on SNL?

Jim describes his experience on SNL as being competitive and cutthroat, with cast members and writers stealing ideas from each other. He talks about how the pressure to get sketches on the show and the constant fighting for airtime made it a challenging environment.

Q: How did Phil Hartman feel about his time on SNL?

Phil Hartman was initially bitter and angry after leaving SNL. He felt like he was in constant competition with the other cast members and that everyone was at each other's throats. However, he eventually relaxed and started smoking weed, which helped him cope with the negativity.

Q: Why did Jim Breuer start smoking a lot of pot while on SNL?

Jim started smoking a lot of pot to numb himself from the pressure and negativity of the show. He felt that it made him a darker and more paranoid person, but it was his way of coping with the stress.

Q: Did Jim Breuer ever quit smoking pot?

Jim hasn't completely quit smoking pot, but he has become much more private about it. He no longer smokes with other people because he doesn't trust anyone, and he only smokes in a very controlled and private environment to avoid paranoia.

Q: How did Jim's wife play a role in his decision to quit SNL?

Jim's wife, recognizing how miserable the show was making him, encouraged him to quit. She saw how it was changing him as a person and wanted him to prioritize his happiness over his career. Her support gave Jim the courage to make the decision to leave.

Q: How did Jim Breuer's experience on SNL affect his mental health?

The competitive and cutthroat nature of SNL made Jim bitter and angry. He became paranoid and started hearing voices, even thinking that the government was watching him. It was a dark time for him, and he used pot as a way to cope with his mental state.

Q: Did Jim confront the people who stole his ideas on SNL?

Yes, Jim confronted the people who stole his ideas. He would call them out and even threatened violence against one person. He was frustrated by the lack of fairness and respect within the writing and casting process.

Q: How did the head writers and producers of SNL handle the issue of stolen ideas?

The head writers and producers seemed to turn a blind eye to the issue of stolen ideas. They didn't intervene when it was happening and would dismiss Jim's concerns, prioritizing their own personal relationships and politics.

Q: Did Jim Breuer have any regrets about his time on SNL?

Jim doesn't have any regrets about his time on SNL, but he does acknowledge that bitterness was an option. He chose to focus on his own happiness and personal growth instead of holding onto negative feelings.

Q: What was Jim Breuer's relationship with Lorne Michaels like?

Jim had a good relationship with Lorne Michaels and always admired him. Lorne saw that Jim was too nice for the cutthroat nature of the business and even offered to produce something for him in the future.

Takeaways

Jim Breuer's experience on SNL was a challenging one, filled with competition, stolen ideas, and a toxic atmosphere. He coped with the pressure and negativity by smoking a lot of pot, which ultimately affected his mental health. However, with the support of his wife, he made the difficult decision to quit the show and prioritize his own happiness. Despite the difficulties, Jim doesn't have any regrets and emphasizes the importance of personal growth and avoiding bitterness in the face of adversity.