Will Ferrell Once Interrupted Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Closed ‘SNL’ Rehearsal as a Bit, Says Ana Gasteyer: He ‘Did Not Roll With It’ and Was ‘Very Uncomfortable’

As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of Saturday Night Live over the decades, I must say that the tale of Ana Gasteyer and Will Ferrell interrupting Sean “Diddy” Combs’ rehearsal is nothing short of legendary. The camaraderie, wit, and sheer audacity displayed by the SNL cast during this incident is a testament to their unique bond and the spirit of the show itself.

On the most recent episode of “Las Culturistas,” hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, I, Ana Gasteyer, reminisced about my six-year journey on “Saturday Night Live.” During our chat, I recounted an amusing incident where my fellow cast member, Will Ferrell, disrupted a closed rehearsal of Sean “Diddy” Combs as part of one of his antics.

From 1996 to 2002, Gasteyer graced the stage on “Saturday Night Live.” During this time, she worked alongside performers such as Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, and others. She is particularly famous for her roles in the “Schweddy Balls” sketch with Shannon and Alec Baldwin, as well as her frequent skits with Ferrell called Culps.

Gasteyer informed Yang and Rogers, the current cast members of “SNL”, that during their time on the show, they had numerous recurring skits, such as one where Ferrell reused his Jerry Reed costume to mimic Rob, an ex-crew member who was let go by the director of the pre-recorded segments’ team. In 1998, when Combs served as the musical guest, Rob caused some mischief when it was announced that the rapper preferred a private rehearsal.

According to Gasteyer, Combs requested that the entire building be sealed off and only accessible during his Thursday rehearsal, which is quite uncommon.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve spent six years within these walls, and I can assure you, when the five rascals were around, they’d holler, “So-and-so’s here! Everyone stay put in your dressing rooms!” Gasteyer said. This rule might apply to a presidential candidate, but let me clarify, this is my sanctuary, my home.

The closing of the stage by the combs triggered some writers to joke, “What if Ron unexpectedly joined us instead?” Gasteyer mentioned that Ferrell eagerly took up the proposition, striding onto the stage as Combs was rehearsing his song “Come With Me,” which incorporates the Led Zeppelin hit “Kashmir.

She stated, “He continued descending the steps and strode directly inside,” followed by, “Sean Combs can be seen in the surveillance footage, rapping… Meanwhile, Ron appears quite confused, wandering aimlessly behind him.

In 2020, Ferrell talked about a particular incident for “SNL’s” series “Stories From the Show.” This segment features footage of him interrupting Combs’ rehearsal. Recalling the event, Ferrell said he was unsure of what to do once he got on stage. He also mentioned that Ron made an appearance during the closing credits of that episode.

Of course, Combs is currently facing a barrage of sexual assault lawsuits and federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied all allegations against him, but has been denied bail and remains in jail. A trial is set for May 2025.

The most remarkable event occurred, for a person truly deserving was interrupted in their special moment by Ron. Yet, he didn’t seem to handle it well; he appeared uneasy. Gasteyer further added, ‘But it was also just like, the pretentiousness of all that false grandeur. It was as if one was wondering, what significance does this have?’

Listen to Gasteyer’s full “Las Culturistas” episode here.

2024-11-21 16:16

Will Ferrell Once Interrupted Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Closed ‘SNL’ Rehearsal as a Bit, Says Ana Gasteyer: He ‘Did Not Roll With It’ and Was ‘Very Uncomfortable’

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