In an Instagram reel for the New York Magazine, Pete Davidson and his SNL co-stars were each asked about their "biggest splurge after your first ‘SNL’ paycheck." It was then that the comedian revealed how much they make per episode.
Davidson, who was featured first in the reel uploaded on Wednesday, repeated the question and then uttered the following:
“Do you guys know what they pay us? It’s, like, three grand an episode.”
To answer the question, he said he thinks he "got dinner.”
Here's what we know how much an SNL cast member could be making every year:
Pete Davidson worked with SNL as a cast member for 8 years, from 2014 to 2022. He's known for several "weekend updates," as well as his characters and skits, including Chad, Rap Roundtable, and Jasmine and Aladdin.
As reported by Page Six, The NBC comedy show spans 50 seasons as of 2024, with one season of about 18 to 22 episodes coming out every fiscal year. The outlet reported that based on Davidson's revelation, a cast member who makes it to every episode should be raking in between $54,000 and $66,000 annually.
Jason Sudeikis, who joined the team as a writer in 2003 before becoming a cast member from 2005 to 2013, also spoke about the comedy show's pay in the video, as he said:
"I mean you don’t really make enough money to make big purchases, so , I think New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing on SNL the first year.”
As for James Austin Johnson, who currently stars on the show, he revealed he purchased “the most uncomfortable West Elm couch of all time" with his first SML paycheck.
“I swear to God,” he swore, “it’s, like, made of bricks.”
Alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed that she “bought a pair of shoes that were out of [her] budget.” She worked on SNL from 1982 to 1985 and revealed that her shoes set her back about $75.
Bowen Yang weighed in, saying, “Going to Saks across the street, buying a pair of Gucci shoes. The kind that everyone got, and the kind I wouldn’t feel super cool wearing out now.”
Cheri Oteri, for her part, revealed that she also got a couch that had to be reupholstered several times:
"A couch. I have gotten it reupholstered three or four times,” Oteri said. “I remember a designer coming over in tears, and he goes, ‘OK, those arms are too high. We have to get … We’re going to get rid of that couch.’ I said, ‘Oh no. No, you’re not. Not today, Satan. No, the couch is staying. You’re going.’”
Trending
SNL will celebrate its 50th-anniversary milestone on February 16, when a live primetime special will be aired on NBC at 11.30 p.m. ET.
Reply
