Damon Wayans recalls getting fired from ‘SNL’ for breaking an important rule
3 min read
Damon Wayans has reflected on the time he was fired from Saturday Night Live during its 11th season, an event that he doesn’t hold any hard feelings about, mainly because he secretly wanted to be dismissed. In the SNL 50 docuseries on Peacock, Wayans revisited the circumstances that led to his firing, revealing that it was the culmination of a series of frustrations over his sketches being cut from the show before they could air. He admitted that he had grown increasingly disillusioned with the show during his time on it.
The breaking point came when another one of his sketches was cut, and Wayans said, “I snapped.” The sketch, titled “Mr. Monopoly,” starred Jon Lovitz as the character of Mr. Monopoly, and in a moment of defiance, Wayans made a choice that would ultimately lead to his firing. During the broadcast, he deliberately played his role differently than he had in rehearsals, catching his co-stars and others off guard. “I just did not care,” he said, explaining that his actions were intentional and part of his plan to get fired.
According to Wayans, he “purposely did that because I wanted Lorne Michaels to fire me.” Michaels, the creator and executive producer of SNL, had to make a difficult decision. The firing came soon after the show ended, and in the documentary, Michaels admitted that the decision was hard, but it was necessary. “It was really, really hard,” Michaels explained, “but it had to be done.”
James Andrew Miller, the author of Live From New York, also weighed in on the situation, explaining that Wayans had broken what is known as the ultimate SNL rule: “no surprises.” In the world of live television and sketch comedy, this rule is critical for maintaining smooth performances and avoiding disruptions. Wayans’ unpredictable behavior during the sketch was seen as a breach of this unwritten code.
Damon Wayans, Griffin Dunne and Randy Quaid in ‘Mr. Monopoly’ sketch on a 1986 episode of ‘SNL’
Despite the abrupt exit from SNL, Wayans’ career quickly recovered. He went on to achieve massive success in the entertainment world. He became a household name through his work on the popular sketch comedy show In Living Color, which ran in the 1990s, and later starred in the family sitcom My Wife and Kids in the early 2000s. His film career also flourished in the 1990s, with notable roles in films like Major Payne, Mo’ Money, and The Last Boy Scout. These projects helped solidify Wayans as a major comedic talent, and he enjoyed a successful career after his time on SNL.
Despite his early exit from the show, there is no ill will between Wayans and Lorne Michaels. In fact, Wayans was invited back to SNL later on, demonstrating the lack of bad blood between the two. He performed a stand-up set during the final episode of SNL’s 11th season, a gesture that underscored their amicable relationship. Wayans expressed his gratitude in the documentary, saying, “Lorne is a very forgiving man, and I think he just wanted to let me know he believed in me.”
Looking back, Wayans sees his brief stint on SNL as an important part of his career journey, one that helped shape his future success. Although his time on the iconic sketch show was short-lived, it was a significant learning experience that led to his eventual rise to prominence in both television and film. The incident with SNL served as a reminder of the complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, where one’s departure from a high-profile gig doesn’t always signal the end of their career.
In the end, Wayans’ experience with SNL proved that sometimes a setback, like getting fired from a major show, can be the catalyst for a much more successful career in the long run.
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