Will Ferrell credited one co-star for saving Saturday Night Live back in the 1990s. He shared words of praise for her following her recent Hollywood Walk of Fame honor. Ferrell revealed that Molly Shannon‘s performance as her character, Mary Katherine Gallagher, drew huge laughs at the time, which, according to him, hadn’t been heard in the previous three shows.
Will Ferrell credits Molly Shannon for saving SNL
During the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Ferrell reflected on when he made his debut on SNL, a time when the show was undergoing major shakeups, with most of its previous cast members having been fired. He touched upon how the show wasn’t performing the way it should have and was receiving negative reception across the media until Shannon’s character gave them a ray of hope in Season 21 Episode 4 in 1995.
“No one knows us, or if we’re any good, or if anyone even likes the show anymore. It’s coming out of a low ebb, ‘Saturday Night Dead’ were some of the headlines, and we’re just out there throwing things up to see what’s going to happen. But that night is the first time we get to see Mary Katherine Gallagher,” he said (via Variety).
Further, Ferrell shared an instance from dress rehearsal, revealing he went to do a quick change and came across Shannon performing Mary. He witnessed how there was laughter in the stands after so long.
“To the point where I thought, Oh my god, I haven’t heard laughter like this so far in the three shows we’ve done. And it was such an emotional moment, because I remember thinking, We’re going to be okay. Molly has saved us — at least we have one funny character,” he continued.
While praising her character and work, the actor-comedian expressed his gratitude for getting to be a part of her legendary act. He mentioned that her character was truly a “catalyst” for all of them to carry on with the show.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon.
