Dane Cook Regrets Skipping SNL Audition

Dane Cook revealed on the Fly on the Wall podcast that he experienced a panic attack just before his audition for Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1995, causing him to back out. He was approached for the audition following Adam Sandler's exit from the show, but ultimately sat on a bench outside Rockefeller Plaza and called his manager to say he couldn't go through with it. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Cook expressed regret, stating, 'I definitely felt like I let myself down.' He acknowledged feeling unprepared for the confrontational environment of the show, describing himself as 'very beta' at the time. Although he never joined the SNL cast, he did host the show twice in 2005 and 2006. Cook's reflections highlight how he felt pressure to succeed in a competitive comedy landscape.