The women are wearing long, colorful prairie dresses with big petticoats. Like, what word - what is, like, a word that's in the social lexicon of the moment that this girl would hear and say wrong? Her reactionsit was like, wow, shes just screaming. She's taken all these concepts and just turned them into something confusing and wrong that she's very passionate about. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) It's just a lover's spat. GROSS: Well, let's take a short break here, and then we'll talk some more. Here to explain is Jeanine Pirro. And whatever you decide to do about "Saturday Night Live," I wish you well. MCKINNON For me, I felt like I had a real job. When asked what her go-to snack was in a 2014 interview with Bon Apptit, Cecily Strongnominated an odd combination: goat cheese and garlic with Triscuit crackers. On Weekend Update Strong slid on to the desk dressed like Fred Flintstones mother-in-law, with a devilish cheshire-like grin and a stiff double chin. - which is now streaming on Apple TV+. 'Cause Kevin can wait, but Syrian refugees can't, OK? STRONG I was hoping you were going to say that. I was losing my mind. America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, Michael J. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Oh, no, that's not OK - unless it's consensual. The AFI Life Achievement recipient discusses her most memorable filmsand what moviegoers actually misremember. And I just - I did theater. Dr. And she's nominated for an Emmy for her work on "Saturday Night Live." Copyright 2021 NPR. It kind of felt like that a little bit. I was losing my mind. GROSS: What was the impact of that on you? So they'll be - I think that'll brighten her day. So you're not in the middle of New York City right now. It always makes me the most nervoushoping that you have a voice by 12 that night after a week of work. STRONG Aidy in those braids is the hardest I laughed this season. It was like, in order to do the show next week, I just need to step away this week. Talk like a turkey. And I think she's doing well. And she used the playbill and a lot of those pictures. That's called a double standard. I didnt know if anybody knows who she is, Strong recalls. Strong also has a new book that will be published tomorrow called "This Will All Be Over Soon." I am eating ice cream, and the voiceover says, like, well, McDonald's now has ice - soft-serve for 37 cents or whatever it was. And I think you're probably not wrong. And, like, I'll never understand why they took joy in that because it was such a huge and awful moment in my life. streams Wednesday, May 3 on Apple TV+. It was recently confirmed thata slew of talented stars, including the likes of Keegan-Michael Key, Fred Armisen, Kristin Chenoweth, andJane Krakowski, have all officially signed on, so the hype surrounding the upcoming series is at an all-time high. One thing led to another, and soon Strong, along with fellow Chicagoan comedienne Aidy Bryant, was booked as a featured player for SNL's 38th season, making her official debut onSeptember 15, 2012. Like, thats how you accentuate your eyes and your cheeks. She googled silver, short haircuts before sending over options to the hair departmenta favorite tradition of hersand found the characters soul instantly. When Meyers left to host Late Night, Strong continued to co-anchor the segment alongside SNL writer Colin Jost for one season. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) I got us corn puddin'. If you're just joining us, my guest is Cecily Strong, and she stars in the new series "Schmigadoon!," which is a loving satire of classic musicals from the '40s and '50s. One of Strongs more beloved recurring characters, the aspiring British singer Gemma, hadnt been on for almost four years before she returned for the seasons penultimate episode, hosted by her Schmigadoon! set as a Trump thought bubble for the cold open, a recreation of the first Trump-Biden debate. And they've asked me to leave. We'll talk more after a break. And my mom made a little poster for me for my room growing up that said Cecily on Broadway. All Rights Reserved. As he told her after she brought up the idea, Well, it made me laugh!, Greene also provides a good example of the kind of line Strong draws when deciding on whether to impersonate someone she so intensely disagrees with. STRONG: No, it actually - I think it was probably Bryan Tucker, who I write with, and I wound up writing a lot of my "Update" characters with them, or sort of those - anybody that's a real - you know, I write Marjorie Taylor Greene with him, and we did Sidney Powell together this year, too. JOST: That's great. The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is The First 2023 Movie To Make Over $1 Billion Worldwide. Lots of ambitious performers dream of making it to Studio 8H, but only a select few actually get the opportunity. I am just trying to figure out how to get out of here and get back to reality. [joking about Barney Frank] We tried to get Memories Pizza to cater this event but they heard a rumor Barney Frank was going to be here. Let's get back to my interview with Cecily Strong. I was so, like, mad that no one was letting me have my rehearsal. GROSS: He was dealing with a lot of mental health issues? It's about her life during the first year of the pandemic, when she felt overcome by anxiety and depression. They filled it with warm water and I wore sweatpants and a T-shirt. So it took another 40 minutes or so to believe it." Yeah. Please, no song. So I want to ask you about another character that you've done, and that's the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. Cohen then asked her if she would ever return to host the show in the near future. It was meh for me. You want to try with other people? STRONG: That's usually just Colin and I. You know, really, we talk about escapism, and I had real life escapism, where I flew into this beautiful, magical land of Vancouver, where there's, like, water and mountains and big trees - it was gorgeous - and then to be on those sets that were also gorgeous, and then to be with this amazing group of people. And so it's like, I knew I was kind of - it wouldn't last, this safety that I was feeling by being vaccinated. It feels like this year, especially, anything that weve said that might be too crazy has actually worked out really well, she says. Fox Says Battle With Parkinsons Disease Keeps Getting Tougher: Im Not Going to Be 80, Channel Your Inner Queen Charlotte with This Star-Loved British Brands Exclusive Skincare Kit, Naomi Watts Just Wore These Under-$100 PJs from Two Star-Loved Brands And Theyre the Perfect Mothers Day Gift for Stylish Travelers, The Best Signet Rings for Adding a Red Carpet-Ready Touch to Your Jewelry Stack, The Best Gifts New Moms Really Want, From Cozy Robes to Virtual Escapes, James Gunns Guardians: How Chris Pratt and His Marvel Castmates Rescued Their Directors Career, The Whispers Behind NBCUniversals Jeff Shell Firing, Diane Keaton: Youre Gonna Pray to Get Off This Call, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. But I've heard through the grapevine that she watches the show and she likes it." GROSS: Like, among the shows he did was terrific revivals of "Music Man," which is, of course, referenced (laughter) in "Schmigadoon!" STRONG What do they say? Will Get Your Toes Tapping, So Sing Along If You Know The Words. So let's talk a little bit about your work on "Saturday Night Live." I think there's nothing more thrilling than hearing Terry Gross likes (laughter) your show and (laughter) enjoys it and it has joy from it. Now that delta is causing this resurgence, what's your level of anxiety now? It's on or near the Hudson River. And she has a new memoir called "This Will All Be Over Soon." And I was enjoying watching it so much. "I think I was ten or something and I just like licked the cone and then made a face it was pretty good! So how much do you love musicals? STRONG: I did - and I mean, not always. Cecily Strong is reflecting on her time on Saturday Night Live after saying goodbye to the sketch comedy series Saturday. Then I kind of want to, like, go further. And I think, you know, whatever name is next to an Emmy nomination, it still feels like everybody there is a part of that - why there's a nomination. STRONG: No. The Unhinged Brilliance of Cecily Strong. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I mean, I think it's certainly been a part of my life since I was little. Mission accomplished here. And you can't have love without having a lover's spat. Yeah. Proving her comedic value, Strong was promoted torepertory status in the following season and was also granted an additional honor: becoming co-anchor on the show's prestigious "Weekend Update" segment. I wound up being lucky and getting to go to the Catholic school I went to. In this case, they went timely, handing her a ridiculously vaccine-inspired number. So thanks a lot, Barney. As to how she contorted that perfectly imperfect expression? As the featured entertainer, Strong had the difficult task of roasting politicians, including then-President Barack Obama, to their faces. Movies. This is FRESH AIR. Strong also has a new memoir called "This Will All Be Over Soon." Updated: 3:17, 18 Dec 2022 SATURDAY Night Live star Cecily Strong has kept mostly private about her love life but has allowed audiences in on a few details about her relationship. The actor and the rest of the cast gave Strong an emotional sendoff with a heartwarming tribute to her SNL career: The group serenaded her by belting out Elvis Presleys hit Blue Christmas., I had a lot of fun here, the Schmigadoon! actress said at the end of the episode. ', The Morning Show Snags Early Season 4 Renewal at Apple TV+, John Mulaney Reveals He Turned Down Hosting The Daily Show After Jon Stewart Left Because He Was Gun-Shy, Dwyane Wade Explains Why He Moved Out of Florida: My Family Would Not Be Accepted, Adam Brody Joins Kristen Bell in Untitled Netflix Comedy Series, Jennifer Grey Says "Bad Anxiety" Stopped Her From Reprising Her 'Friends' Role, Ana de Armas Says Robert De Niro Surprised Her Dad in Cuba During 'SNL' Monologue, John Oliver Mocks Matthew McConaugheys Five-Hour Virtual Motivational Seminar, Barry Star Sarah Goldberg on Sallys Point of No Return: Its the Final Nail in the Coffin, Succession Director on Filming That Surprise Cameo and Tying Up Her Kendall Trilogy, Melanie Lynskey Says Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson Lent Their Trailers on Mrs. And so that's partly why I just wasn't even there. Cecily Strong's character loves musicals and is initially charmed.