As a fan who had the incredible opportunity to witness Chris Colfer’s journey from “Glee” to “SNL,” I can confidently say that his life is a testament to hard work, humor, and a knack for making even the most absurd situations shine. From the moment he stepped onto the “Glee” set as the quirky Kurt Hummel, to his hilarious stint on “SNL’s” middle seat, Colfer has shown an unparalleled ability to turn lemons into lemonade – or should I say bananas into banana-downs?
Relax, take a deep breath and exclaim “Wow, wow!” – You won’t have much chance to speak when Diondre Cole is around. Chris Colfer discovered this in an entertaining manner during his appearance on the seventh installment of SNL’s recurring “What Up With That?” sketch. In this skit, Colfer (from Glee) found himself between a genuine Paul Simon and a fictional Lindsey Buckingham. Despite cutting his vacation short, the latter always made an appearance. On the May 14, 2011 episode of SNL, this segment was presented as a tribute to musical legends. Colfer’s role was to sit patiently through Diondre’s (Kenan Thompson) chaotic BET-style program, where the host preferred to entertain his guests with extravagant musical performances instead of allowing them to speak. The first guest typically got a few words in – Simon briefly spoke about his new album – while the second was often left reacting as an array of characters like Captain Sexy Banjo or the real Buckingham suddenly appeared out of thin air. So, don’t overanalyze it. “What Up With That?” wasn’t made for deep contemplation.
As a movie critic looking back, I found myself in an extraordinary position after wrapping up the second season of Glee. The stars seemed to align when Saturday Night Live considered me for a cameo appearance. Unfortunately, those plans fell through, but the anticipation was electrifying. It all unfolded within just 36 hours, and though I had little more to do than cross my legs, it was an unforgettable experience. To this day, I cherish that moment as a minuscule part of SNL history – the pinnacle of bragging rights in our entertainment industry. Should anyone ever try to outdo me at a social gathering, I’m quick to bring up this memory, usually leaving them speechless and adding another notch to my conversational belt.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=aY3FxWRz1cw
You may wonder how this sketch was presented to me. To clarify, I was already aware that it was a popular recurring segment on SNL, having been a long-time fan of the show myself. On the day in question, I had done an interview in New York City and was walking down 47th or 48th Street with my publicist when we received a call from one of the bookers at SNL. They had seen me on live TV earlier that afternoon and asked if I was still in the city, offering me a cameo role in the Saturday night episode. Needless to say, I eagerly accepted the invitation! The rest of my day was cleared, and we rushed over to Rockefeller Center for a rehearsal. Remarkably, I didn’t have to do much during the rehearsal as I simply had to sit quietly. I returned the next day for the dress rehearsal and live taping, both of which were truly magical experiences.
Did you instinctively understand the humor? I mean, when I tell friends about my love of “What Up With That?”, what comes out of my mouth is jumbled nonsense about BET and a fake Lindsey Buckingham. It’s not the easiest thing to wrap a mind around.
I did. I remember on Saturday, in between the rehearsal and the live taping, the writers came to my dressing room and said, “We want to give you a line. Let’s try this out.” And I responded, “Absolutely not. You cannot give me a line. It’s way funnier if I’m just there and I don’t say anything.” And they looked at me and said, “Well, you’re the first guest to ever say that, and thank God, because we agree.”
In the heat of the moment, I had a brilliant impulse to chime in with some witty remark, but Kenan’s character cleverly intervened, silencing me. However, we collectively decided that the humor was more impactful by letting it be, without giving me an opportunity to speak.
As I take my seat for the dress rehearsal, I find myself next to none other than Paul Simon. With a mix of excitement and shock, I wondered how on earth I ended up here. I wasn’t given any details beforehand; in fact, I didn’t even have a script or any idea who else was in the studio. As I glanced to my right, I saw Lindsey Buckingham waiting in the wings. It was a moment when I felt like I needed to keep reminding myself not to ask about Stevie Nicks or Carrie Fisher, as I didn’t want to come off as clueless or overeager in front of Paul Simon.
Funny you don’t mention being a Gleek. No, I never presume people know me or my background.
Was there a feeling of anxiousness on your part prior to the live broadcast commencing? Despite the minimal exertion needed, I was incredibly jittery. My anxiety stemmed from the fear of tripping en route. However, it wasn’t just nervousness; it was more about the thrill that the show provides. It’s a whirlwind of activity, yet surprisingly organized. Everybody knows their role, but it’s exactly as you might picture: people hurrying through the corridors, transporting props, costumes, and set pieces. It was quite fascinating. I still possess my Chris Colfer plaque as a memento from my dressing room.
Where do you keep it?I have an awards case, so it’s on display there. It was a gift.
In my opinion, what I found most amusing about the skit was the silent reactions capturing the absurdity of the situation. Do you recall the instructions we received for specific scenes? We were told: “You’re on a show with this eccentric character who won’t let guests speak; portray annoyance and discomfort.” While that sounds simple, not laughing was the real challenge. One unforgettable instance was when Kristen Wiig performed a mini-hoedown in the skit while a banjo played. The audience was hysterical, and I had to look at the ceiling so as not to join them. It felt great to let some of that joy escape during that moment.
Are there any common traits or shared experiences among Mindy Kaling, Ernest Borgnine, Carrie Brownstein, Robin Williams, and Jack McBrayer, who all found themselves in the “middle seat” of fame? I can’t help but wonder if there’s a hidden link connecting you all.
Who do you believe would be perfectly suited to impersonate Chris Colfer? I can only think of one person – Marcia Gay Harden, with a convincing wig. In the past, there was a plan to produce an episode of Glee where something took place at McKinley High School. A large-scale fake film about it was also planned. So we all joked about who would portray our characters in this fictional movie. They had Glenn Close for Sue Sylvester and Justin Timberlake as Matthew Morrison. I suggested, “Well, Marcia Gay Harden should play me.” Sadly, that episode never materialized, but they were considering making it into a real production.
Were you at the SNL after-party following the episode? If so, how was your conversation with Lorne Michaels?
Have I ever had to interrupt a family vacation for a talk show? Absolutely, I’ve done it for things far less important!
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2024-12-19 18:54