What was Rachel Dratch's most beloved SNL character?

Debbie Downer, Dratch's profusely pessimistic character, quickly became her most beloved SNL role.

How did the cast react during the live performance of the Debbie Downer sketch?

During the live show, Dratch flubbed one of her lines, causing her and the rest of the cast, including Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz, to break character and laugh uncontrollably through the rest of the sketch.

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SNL's Debbie Downer Sketch Breaks Actors on Live TV

Q: When did Rachel Dratch reprise the Debbie Downer character on SNL?

Dratch has continued to bring back the Debbie Downer character in subsequent SNL appearances, including in 2010, 2020, and during the show's 50th anniversary special in 2025.

10 Oct

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Summary

Rachel Dratch's Debbie Downer character became a beloved SNL staple
Dratch and co-stars struggled to keep straight faces during live performance
Dratch flubbed a line, causing cast to break character and laugh uncontrollably

SNL's Debbie Downer Sketch Breaks Actors on Live TV

According to a recent interview, actress Rachel Dratch, who performed on Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006, had a memorable experience with her beloved Debbie Downer character. Dratch revealed that during the original 2004 Debbie Downer sketch, which aired in an episode hosted by Lindsay Lohan, her co-stars Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz repeatedly burst into laughter while rehearsing the segment.

Dratch said she tried to keep the cast focused, telling them "I feel like this could work! Keep it together, guys." However, her own nerves got the better of her during the live performance, as she flubbed one of her lines. This caused Dratch to break character and start laughing, which then set off the rest of the cast. Fallon unsuccessfully tried to stifle his chuckles, while Sanz was brought to tears of laughter.

Despite the on-air mishap, Debbie Downer quickly became one of Dratch's most popular SNL characters. She reprised the role several times over the next two seasons before leaving the show in 2006. Dratch has continued to bring back the iconic pessimistic character in subsequent SNL appearances, including in 2010, 2020, and during the show's 50th anniversary special in 2025.

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