Heidi Gardnerhas become one of theSaturday Night Liveseniors after having joined the venerable NBC show in season 43.
And shes enjoying being passed the ball more.
DEADLINE: Its been two months since season 48 of SNL ended.
(Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)
Are you able to relax or are you looking to do a million things over the summer?
HEIDI GARDNER: Its weird.
I feel like I still have thatSNLadrenaline pulsing through my body.
I need to get myself to an island and stop doing that.
DEADLINE:SNLadrenaline sounds like something that should be bottled and sold.
How did you feel about the last three shows being canceled?
GARDNER: I was definitely bummed when it had happened.
I remember when I found out the last three shows werent happening.
DEADLINE: Lorne Michaels has called season 48 a transition year with so many people leaving last summer.
How were you feeling going into it?
GARDNER: Ive been a fan ofSNLmy whole life.
I know of those rebuilding years.
People are going to call it a rebuilding year and well probably be judged harshly because of it.
I was also happy with my role on the show, I felt a lot more useful.
I felt like I got to do more.
DEADLINE: It definitely felt like you, Ego and Bowen stepped up this year and became the seniors.
I imagine it was a bit easier to do that when people left.
GARDNER: I get why that was and I feel grateful.
This year felt different and I like feeling useful feels good.
DEADLINE: You mentioned lovingSNLgrowing up, which was your first cast that you loved?
He was definitely one of my favorites.
I would usually fall asleep before Weekend Update and I remember waking up in the morning so bummed.
If I had told my childhood self, she would have been like Youre a liar.
DEADLINE: Does that bring any additional pressure when you think about that?
GARDNER: Its interesting.
DEADLINE: Thats what makesSNL, right, the fact that everyone has their own skills.
To keep with the sports analogy, everyone has their own position.
DEADLINE: Coming off a season like youve just had, does that change how you approach next season?
GARDNER: I think so.
Thats the thing I think I want to remember, theres no way to control any of this.
Letting go was super great for me this year.
DEADLINE: Have you got particular writers that you like working with?
I felt like I was thriving at work, we were getting sketches on and Im having fun.
Theres some weird eating habits going on atSNL.
GARDNER: Yeah, there we are just attacking food.
DEADLINE: Do you approach Weekend Update any differently to other sketches?
DEADLINE: You also brought back Angel, every boxers girlfriend with Michael B. Jordan.
That made a lot of sense, does it just depend on who the host is that week?
DEADLINE: Talking of recurring characters, I feel like Abby, the ex-girlfriend could be one.
GARDNER: That one was so much fun.
I love the idea that I wasnt in control of the tears.
He won the Superbowl, pay up.
GARDNER: Every time I see Mahomes, Im like are you going to host.
I want him to.
Im going to have this side gig where I just hire Chiefs.
GARDNER: Totally, yeah.
I just had to live in her a little bit.
DEADLINE: Writers strike aside are you still writing your own feature screenplay?
GARDNER: Right now, Im collaborating with a friend, Melissa Hunter, who is an amazing writer.
Were just in the like that blossoming of an idea phase and it feels really good and positive.
DEADLINE: Is this still an 80s period piece?
GARDNER: It is a period piece.
GARDNER: I feel likeSNLhas been celebrated well by the Emmys.
We went as a cast a few years ago when Colin and Che hosted.
DEADLINE: When do you start thinking about next season ofSNL?
GARDNER: Its usually a couple more months.
Then someone was like, I was wrong, they werent here.
Theres no real timeline on exactly when we find out, sometimes its down to the last minute.
Im always taking notes on my phone or when I see something funny.
I was just like, driving.
I thought Id just like lost it because Ive been in such a different mode.
DEADLINE: I cant imagine being funny on demand is easy.
GARDNER: Im definitely not that person.
There are those people that are just like that.
They seem like Jim Carrey of the 90s that can turn it on.
DEADLINE: Does going home to Kansas City help the funny?
GARDNER: Oh, totally.
It felt really gratifying.
She said, This city has rubbed off on you in a very funny way.
