Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 198. Sarah Sherman Returns: If Chucky Went to Sarah Lawrence
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Jan 12, 2026 
In this lively discussion, comedian Sarah Sherman, known for her surreal humor and HBO special, reveals her intense therapy routine, tied to her SNL experiences and writing anxieties. She shares insights on creating her wild animal characters and contrasts her stage persona with the demands of sketch comedy. The conversation also touches on collaboration within SNL, her jealousy of fellow writers, and a memorable encounter with John Waters. Expect a hilarious blend of personal anecdotes and creative process revelations!
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Use Therapy To Stay Functional
- Do pursue regular therapy when creative work intensifies, as Sarah Sherman does with psychoanalysis sessions.
- She uses therapy to reduce personal suffering so she can be easier to live and work with.
Shape Material To Fit The Show
- Lorne Michaels steers performers by matching their energy to show needs rather than forcing their usual material.
- Sarah accepts animal/anthropomorphic roles because they fit SNL's format better than her maximalist bits.
Thirty Minutes Left On The Cutting Room Floor
- Sarah Sherman cut roughly 30 minutes from her filmed special to fit HBO's one-hour format.
- Producers urged restraint: "leave people wanting more," which forced her to trim maximalist sections.
