Mike Myers Discusses Anxiety at SNL

Mike Myers, who joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) from 1989 to 1995, admitted he was initially intimidated by the immense talent of his co-stars, leading to an anxiety attack upon his arrival. He admired cast members like Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, and Jan Hooks, stating, 'When I got to Saturday Night Live and saw how f***ing good these guys were, I was scared s***less.' Myers credited his breakout character, Wayne Campbell, created during his time with the Second City comedy troupe, for landing him a role on SNL after a standout performance that caught the attention of Lorne Michaels. Despite his eventual success, Myers revealed he had never watched SNL prior to joining, as it aired at the same time as Toronto Maple Leafs games, which he prioritized. His journey from a small Canadian improv scene to becoming a comedy icon highlights the initial challenges he faced in his career.