Andy Samberg is one of those post-SNL success stories. He was on the show from 2005 to 2012, during which time he was a part of some very memorable sketches and digital shorts. It may not hold up now, but “D-ck in a Box” was everywhere, as were the hilarious Lonely Island videos like “I’m On a Boat” and “Jack Sparrow” featuring Michael Bolton. And who could forget the “Chronic what-cles of Narnia” from “Lazy Sunday?” Just remembering them makes me feel like I’m back in college again.

Andy recently did an interview with Kevin Hart for his “Hart to Heart” show on Peacock. During the interview, Andy spoke about his decision to leave SNL while still on top. I always just assumed that Andy left to pursue other options to expand his career into film and TV, but there was more to it. Quite simply, he was tired. SNL has such a rigorous production schedule that it was taking its toll on him both physically and mentally, so after some soul searching, Andy decided to prioritize himself and his health.

“For me, it was like I can’t actually endure it anymore,” he said. “Physically and emotionally. I was falling apart in my life.”

Samberg explained that the intense “SNL” schedule, which involved working long hours to write for the live show while making new digital shorts weekly, became difficult for him.

“Physically, it was taking a heavy toll on me, and I got to a place where I hadn’t slept in seven years,” he said. “…It’s basically like four days a week you’re not sleeping, for seven years. I just kind of fell apart physically.”

Samberg joined “SNL” in 2005, where, as part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island, he starred in digital shorts like “Lazy Sunday” and “I’m on a Boat” that became viral hits in the early years of YouTube. He left the show in 2012, telling Entertainment Weekly at the time, “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly or quickly. I will miss everyone there.”

Speaking with Hart, Samberg noted that he didn’t “want” to leave “SNL,” as the ability to come up with an idea and have it on television days later was “intoxicating.” But he felt he had to walk away to “get back to a feeling of mental and physical health,” which was a “very difficult choice.”

The “Palm Springs” star recalled that when he confided in people about why he had to leave “SNL,” everyone he spoke with instantly understood where he was coming from.

“Everyone was like, ‘Oh, same,'” Samberg said. “No one was like, ‘What?’ Everyone was like, ‘Oh, yes, yes. This is just what happens.’ Like, you hit a wall. We’re not built to operate that way.”

Another factor was The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone leaving the show, as Samberg felt he couldn’t continue making digital shorts, particularly songs, without them.

Amy Poehler also gave Samberg confidence to walk away after he appeared in a guest role on her sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” and she told him this lifestyle was “pretty comfortable.”

Beginning in 2013, Samberg played Jake Peralta on the sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which ran until 2021. It was co-created by Mike Schur, who also co-created “Parks and Recreation.”

[From USA Today]

Like I said earlier, all this time, I’d just assumed that Andy left SNL because of his gig on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I didn’t realize that there was so much more that went into his decision. It’s no secret that SNL has long, rough hours, but yes, I can absolutely imagine how not sleeping for years would take its toll on you. I can barely function if I don’t get one good night’s sleep, so getting little sleep for four days a week sounds awful. That said, leaving any job for another one or the prospect of finding a better one is always scary. I’m glad that he had that opportunity to talk with Amy and realize that life beyond SNL could be okay. Hopefully, he’s caught up on his sleep over the last 12 years.

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At the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises on July 18, 2012:

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