Paula Pell, known for SNL sketches, talks with Marc Maron about her comedy writing career, veganism, online shopping habits, and reflections on life, love, and self-discovery in the entertainment industry.
Transitioning from writer to performer, Paula Pell overcame self-doubt to excel in acting roles.
Collaborating with comedy legends at SNL, Paula Pell honed her character writing skills for success.
Navigating the competitive world of comedy writing, Paula Pell emphasizes the importance of adapting and evolving material.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Theme Parks to SNL
Moving from a job at a theme park in Orlando, which included roles like performing in shows at Disney and Universal Studios, to being offered a writing position at SNL after a pilot the candidate was in was seen by the SNL team.
Overcoming Initial Fears at SNL
Starting at SNL was intimidating, but having supportive colleagues who were also new helped calm initial nerves. Colleagues like Mike Shoemaker helped alleviate fears, creating a supportive environment for the candidate.
Writing Popular Characters at SNL
Creating popular characters like Debbie Downer and Marty the music teacher became a hallmark of the candidate's time at SNL, excelling in character writing and contributing to the show's success.
Collaborating with Accomplished Writers at SNL
Working alongside esteemed writers like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the candidate further established themselves in the writing realm of SNL, contributing to the show's continued success.
Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Comedy Writing at SNL
The podcast delves into the competitive nature of comedy writing at SNL, highlighting the challenges faced by new writers in breaking into the scene. The speakers discuss how initial failures and the need to adapt creatively were crucial for success. They emphasize the importance of evolving material to suit the show's preferences, even if it meant letting go of beloved jokes to thrive in the competitive environment. The evolving dynamics within SNL, the supportive cast, and the balance between individual creativity and fitting the show's style are explored as essential factors for survival.
Transition from Writer to Actor, Finding Confidence, and Embracing Opportunities
The podcast delves into the speaker's journey from being primarily a writer to allowing themselves the permission to pursue acting opportunities later in life. They reflect on internal struggles and self-imposed limitations that hindered their transition, stemming from a sense of guilt or undeserving success. The speaker shares experiences of reconnecting with acting through projects like 'Documentary Now' and 'Wine Country,' which allowed them to explore diverse roles and tap into their full acting potential. They highlight moments of personal growth, self-acceptance, and empowerment that accompanied embracing their acting talents at a later stage in their career.
Paula Pell is often celebrated as one of the funniest people alive by some of the other funniest people alive. The world is finally getting to see what they mean thanks to Paula’s standout role on Girls5eva, but for years she was comedy’s best kept secret, writing legendary SNL sketches, doing punch-up and script doctoring for major movies, and contributing to hit sitcoms and award shows. Paula tells Marc why it took her a long time to feel comfortable being in the spotlight as a performer.
