Home Buzzing Celebrity Trends 08

5 Reasons Why Pete Davidson Called The Star-Studded SNL 50 Audience "Terrible"

• minute read
Contents
Pete Davidson’s candid and controversial remarks about the audience at the *Saturday Night Live* 50th Anniversary Special (SNL 50) have become a major talking point since the event, which took place in February 2025. The former cast member did not hold back, labeling the star-studded crowd as "terrible" during a promotional appearance for his new work, which immediately sparked curiosity and debate across social media and entertainment news outlets. The shocking quote, delivered with Davidson's signature deadpan humor, provided an unfiltered, insider’s perspective on what it is like to perform for a room full of Hollywood’s elite, including legends like Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, and Meryl Streep. His explanation dives deep into the psychology of celebrity audiences, suggesting that a room full of famous people is, ironically, the hardest crowd to please because they are primarily focused on themselves. This article breaks down the context of his appearance and the five key reasons he gave for the surprisingly negative audience reaction.

Pete Davidson: A Biographical Profile and SNL Legacy

Pete Davidson is a comedian, actor, and writer renowned for his self-deprecating humor and candid approach to mental health and personal life. His tenure at *Saturday Night Live* cemented his status as a unique voice in modern comedy.
  • Full Name: Peter Michael Davidson
  • Born: November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York
  • Father: Scott Matthew Davidson (a firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks)
  • SNL Tenure: Joined the cast in 2014 at age 20, making him one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history. He departed in 2022.
  • Signature SNL Characters: 'Chad' (the unbothered, one-word-speaking slacker), and his highly popular, vulnerable "Weekend Update" segments.
  • Notable Works: *The King of Staten Island* (2020), *Bupkis* (TV Series), *Bodies Bodies Bodies* (2022), and his stand-up specials.
  • Key Relationships: Has been in high-profile relationships with figures including Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Kim Kardashian, and Emily Ratajkowski, which often became fodder for his comedy.

The Infamous 'Chad' Sketch and the SNL 50 Performance

Davidson's return to the SNL stage for the 50th Anniversary Special was highly anticipated, and he chose to reprise his most enduring character: 'Chad.' The sketch, titled "Chad in 8H," featured the slacker stagehand interacting with original cast member Laraine Newman, a move designed to bridge the show's past with its present. The premise involved Newman reminiscing about Studio 8H's history, only to be constantly interrupted by Chad, who is completely unfazed and disinterested. The sketch culminated in a classic 'Chad' moment where he strips down to nothing, flashing his numerous tattoos, a moment that was both shocking and hilarious for viewers at home. Despite the viral nature of the segment and the apparent success of the televised broadcast, Davidson later revealed his disappointment with the live audience's energy. He explained that the celebrity-filled crowd was the primary reason for the sketch's muted reception inside the studio. The star-studded nature of the event, meant to celebrate the show's history, inadvertently created a challenging environment for the performers.

5 Reasons Why the SNL 50 Audience Was a "Terrible Crowd"

Davidson’s critique of the SNL 50 audience was not a random jab but a detailed observation of how celebrity-only crowds behave. He articulated a clear hypothesis, which was even agreed upon by *Late Night* host Seth Meyers, a fellow SNL alum. The core of his argument centers on the fact that the audience was not a typical mix of fans and general public, but a concentration of A-list stars, former cast members, and industry legends. This unique composition led to five key issues that Davidson pinpointed:
  1. "Famous People Only Like Themselves": This was the central tenet of Davidson's argument. He stated explicitly that the issue was the audience was "just famous people, and famous people only like themselves." This suggests that the celebrities were more interested in being seen and interacting with their peers than in genuinely engaging with the comedy on stage. The self-absorption of the celebrity crowd created a barrier to laughter.
  2. The Lack of a Genuine Fan Energy: A regular *SNL* audience is filled with enthusiastic fans who have waited years for tickets and are ready to laugh at anything. The SNL 50 crowd, however, was composed of industry insiders who have seen it all. Davidson noted that the energy was not one of excitement but of "checking boxes," making it difficult for the performers to get the necessary immediate feedback.
  3. The Pressure of Performing for Comedy Legends: The room was packed with comedic royalty, including Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Tracy Morgan, and many others. Davidson, who already felt like he only had one major character ('Chad') during his eight years on the show, felt the immense pressure of trying to land a joke in front of the people who practically invented modern sketch comedy.
  4. They Were Too Distracted by Each Other: With a guest list that included major stars like Kim Kardashian, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Jenna Ortega, and Scarlett Johansson, the environment was less a theater and more a high-profile networking event. Davidson’s implication was that the celebrities were more focused on who they were sitting next to—like his own experience sitting next to Meryl Streep—than on the show itself.
  5. The "Silence" Was Deafening: When a joke doesn't land with a celebrity audience, the silence feels heavier than in a normal theater. Davidson's 'Chad' sketch, which relies on absurdism and physical comedy (like getting naked), requires a certain level of uninhibited audience reaction to truly soar. The reserved, celebrity-driven atmosphere likely led to a more polite, rather than raucous, response, which for a comedian, is the definition of a "terrible" crowd.

The Deeper Meaning of Davidson's Celebrity Critique

Davidson's commentary on the SNL 50 audience goes beyond a simple complaint; it offers a fascinating insight into the dynamic between performers and celebrity spectators. His critique highlights a common issue in Hollywood circles: when a room is solely filled with the powerful and famous, the natural, uninhibited joy of a typical audience is often lost. This "terrible audience" quote is now a permanent part of the SNL 50 legacy, painting a picture of an event that was perhaps more of a high-society gala than a comedy show. Davidson, known for his ability to speak truth to power and fame—even his own—once again used his platform to deliver a hilarious, yet pointed, observation about the nature of celebrity culture. His honesty, while controversial, has resonated with many who suspect that the most famous people are often the least capable of simply enjoying a performance.
pete davidson snl50 audience reaction
pete davidson snl50 audience reaction

Detail Author:

  • Name : Jeramie Watsica
  • Username : kovacek.carmelo
  • Email : yoshiko15@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1972-10-02
  • Address : 16190 Ardella Expressway Suite 688 Eldredview, AK 15613
  • Phone : +1.804.510.5527
  • Company : Flatley LLC
  • Job : Computer Programmer
  • Bio : Ex voluptatem et quisquam. Laboriosam tempora aut modi culpa commodi aut dolorem fugiat. Aut rem magnam quibusdam veniam sed aut aut.

Socials

linkedin:

instagram:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/moore1972
  • username : moore1972
  • bio : Enim totam totam reiciendis repellendus. Et dolorem vel qui id qui. Consequatur sed consequatur aut ipsum cupiditate odit et.
  • followers : 2338
  • following : 1751

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@amoore
  • username : amoore
  • bio : Dolorem sed totam quos qui quas quaerat odio.
  • followers : 2188
  • following : 1296

facebook:

Random Posts