Andy Samberg Leaves SNL After Seven Seasons

According to The New York Times, USA Today and others, Andy Samberg is officially leaving the Saturday Night Live cast. Although this was not a surprise given recent rumors, this loss definitely hurts. Samberg's digital shorts, often created with the help of Jorma Taccone and Akiva Shaffer, have been consistently funny and always edgy and creative.  Samberg fit in at SNL from the very beginning.  His performances were defined by his unbridled enthusiasm and natural comedic timing. Many people will remember Andy by his Digital Shorts Lazy Sunday, I'm On A Boat, and Jizz in My Pants.  These shorts were masterful, innovative, and hilarious. However, since Andy dropped a whopping 100 digital shorts, certain skits are forgotten over time.  I want to devote part of this post to remember some of Andy's less famous shorts.


People Getting Punched Right Before Eating is a classic in my book.  The idea here is simple yet somehow hilarious. I love how Andy's victims catch on to his plan and fight back against Andy's shenanigans.  Andy is then forced to brutally murder his resisting victim. A zombie battle ensues and the audience is left with the message "Believe in Your Dreams." Random? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely.

Samberg's comedic creativity was unmatched

Two Worlds Collide is ridiculously funny on so many levels. In case you missed the premise of the song here it is: While digging through a dumpster, Kenan Thompson finds a red-haired wig and strolls over to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Andy Samberg mistakes Kenan for country singer Reba McEntire and they go on to produce music while having sex on the side. Perhaps the funniest part is that Andy happily acknowledges that Reba has a penis while still adamantly asserting that his lover is the real Reba McEntire.  The song is driven by a catchy electronic beat, and is highlighted by Andy's narrative of unlikely love born of two worlds. 


Andy and his team push the envelope even more with their bizarre and memorable Andy's Dad. The plot is simple but totally unexpected. Basically, over the course of the short, Jonah Hill explains to Andy that he is in a romantic relationship with Andy's 57-year-old father.  Andy draws uncomfortable details from Jonah, and later we find out that Bill Hader has also been physically involved with Andy's father.  Andy was never afraid to venture into the new comedic goldmine of father-friend sexual relationships. 


Andy Walking is an obscure short that puts a twist on Jay Leno's signature skit Jaywalking. Andy is an unintelligent show host who asks easy questions to real pedestrians.  Unlike in Jaywalking, Andy is dumb compared to the pedestrians but insists he is right. Andy cracks up at every correct answer leaving his subjects in utter confusion. Ridiculous and unexpected, Andy Walking deserves more recognition.


These are only a few of Samberg's many classic digital shorts and sketches. Samberg's portfolio is immense and will almost certainly be documented in a Best Of collection. Andy led a distinguished career along with Kristen Wiig, and they both will be missed come season 38.