LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A revelatory new book, titled 'Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, And A Call For Change In Hollywood' written by journalist Maureen Ryan, sheds light on the toxic atmosphere prevailing at NBC's Emmy-winning late-night comedy show, 'Saturday Night Live', under the leadership of creator Lorne Michaels. Multiple former female staffers of 'SNL', from the early 2000s onwards, have described the show as a treacherous environment for young women. They characterized the work atmosphere as consistently uncomfortable and, at times, unsafe.
The young staffer who sued Horatio Sanz, a former SNL cast member, for allegedly sexually assaulting her as a 17-year-old in 2002, stated Sanz allegedly followed her into a room and asked to touch her breasts. The lawsuit had also claimed that Sanz messaged the girl, referred to as "Jane Doe" in the court documents, when she was only 15 and requested photos and also engaged in explicit conversations about masturbation and sexual fantasies. Furthermore, she described another situation where a producer brought her into his office and showed her an unsolicited nude photo of himself.
'Incredibly sexist environment'
According to the staffer, it was challenging to find more than two women who had a positive and valued experience while working at SNL. "It was an incredibly sexist environment," she said. Inappropriate comments were seemingly justified through the use of risque jokes. The same young staffer also claimed that a producer made a highly inappropriate remark, instructing her to put a Listerine strip on her vagina. "I bet it would feel good," he said, according to Business Insider. Additionally, the staffer alleged that her supervisor would toss a bottle of pills labeled 'Cum Delicious' at her, accompanied by remarks urging her to "take your medicine."
Tina Fey allegedly made inappropriate comments regarding 14-year-old girl
Moreover, former SNL writer Tony Daro mentioned a situation in which even Tina Fey, who was then the head writer of the show, would engage in boundary-pushing behavior. Daro recalled an incident where he brought his teenage son and his son's girlfriend to an SNL show. Tina Fey allegedly asked Daro if he had engaged in inappropriate behavior with his son's 14-year-old girlfriend, using the phrase "finger-popped". "I wasn't amused," said Daro.
According to a former intern, the experience for female interns at SNL was generally unsatisfactory. They felt that they were given little genuine consideration and were made to believe that their purpose was merely to observe without truly learning anything. In the worst cases, the work environment became a space where female interns were objectified and subjected to predatory behavior.
The intern stated that male cast members at SNL would inquire about "new pretty female interns" and extend invitations to them for after-parties. Furthermore, male members of the cast and staff would engage in relationships with female college-age interns at post-show gatherings. These revelations shed light on the debauchery often associated with SNL's post-show parties, where young women were reportedly present on a regular basis.
'I remember knowing they were underage'
Jerry Minor, who was a cast member during the 2000-2001 season, expressed his discomfort upon witnessing girls he perceived as "obviously teenage girls" at SNL after-parties. "The Hilton sisters would show up," he said. "I remember knowing they were underage. They'd get a table. I know they're rich, but this can't be right. Nobody gave a shit. Nobody cared."
