How did SNL cast member Michael Che respond to McDermott's claims?

Months after McDermott posted her video, Michael Che, a current SNL writer and Weekend Update co-host, responded in the comments, sarcastically dismissing her claims as not sounding "bitter at all."

What have other past and present SNL cast members said about the intensity of working on the show?

Past and present SNL cast members, including Andy Samberg, Kenan Thompson, and Conan O'Brien, have acknowledged the high-stress and intense nature of working on the show, with some describing it as feeling like "there was a gun against my head all the time."

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Ex-SNL Intern Alleges Toxic Culture, Prompting Backlash from Cast Member

Ex-SNL Intern Alleges Toxic Culture, Prompting Backlash from Cast Member

Q: What did the former SNL intern Megan McDermott claim about the show's atmosphere?

Megan McDermott, a former SNL intern, claimed that the stressful atmosphere created by SNL creator Lorne Michaels negatively affects the cast members due to "processes... that have been in place since the '70s."

13 Nov

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Summary

Former SNL intern claims Lorne Michaels creates stressful atmosphere
Cast member Michael Che responds to intern's claims months later
High turnover and stress among SNL cast members acknowledged

Ex-SNL Intern Alleges Toxic Culture, Prompting Backlash from Cast Member

In November 2025, a former Saturday Night Live intern named Megan McDermott went public with claims about the alleged toxic culture behind the scenes of the long-running sketch comedy show. McDermott, who interned at SNL during her senior year of college and has a degree in comedy writing, posted a video on Instagram addressing the significant cast turnover seen over the summer, including the departures of longtime favorites Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim.

According to McDermott, the stressful atmosphere created by SNL creator Lorne Michaels negatively affects the cast members due to "processes... that have been in place since the '70s." Her claims, while unconfirmed, echo the sentiments of past and present SNL cast members who have spoken about the intense toll the job can take.