Ben Stiller on Comedy Career and SNL Exit

Ben Stiller recently discussed his unexpected rise to fame as a comedy movie star in the late 1990s and early 2000s on The New York Times podcast, The Interview. Despite his success in films like 'Meet the Parents' and 'Zoolander,' Stiller remains unsure why audiences connected so strongly with his comedic performances. His career in comedy films followed his departure from 'Saturday Night Live' after only four episodes, as he felt too nervous to perform live. Stiller credits his MTV show, 'The Ben Stiller Show,' as pivotal in launching his film career. Reflecting on his journey, Stiller expressed gratitude for being part of the comedy zeitgeist of that era, acknowledging that the style of comedies from those years might be difficult to recreate today. He also humorously noted that his mother, Anne Meara, might have been a better fit for 'SNL' due to her polished stage presence.