Former Saturday Night Live cast member Molly Shannon appeared to hint at a “bad” experience she once had on the show that may be keeping her from attending the 50th anniversary celebration set for next Februrary.
The comedy star was visiting Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Today when they asked if she’s been invited to participate in the anniversary special.
After admitting that she would love to bring back the iconic “Sally O’Malley” sketch if she did, Shannon shared that she got some sound advice from her therapist about whether or not she should return.
“I was gonna share this, too. Now that I turned 60, I got great advice from my therapist, he said, ‘There’s never a reason to be around a bad object.’ He was like, ‘We move away from bad objects.’ So the older I’ve gotten, I want to be around good people, isn’t that interesting?” she told Kotb and Bush Hager, who gushed over the advice.
She continued, “I had a situation where there was a ‘bad object’ at a party. [My therapist] was like, ‘Don’t go. There’s never a reason to be around that. Life is too short. I absolve you, guilt-free, to not have to be around bad objects who might take advantage of courtesy.'”
Shannon didn’t go into detail about what happened, but it appeared to be enough to make her reconsider returning for the show’s 50th season, which looks like it will be starring several SNL alums.
The Today hosts also did not broach the subject further but praised her for sharing that “profound advice.”
Shannon has previously said she was “excited” for the 50th anniversary of the show. But it does not look like the Only Murders in the Building actress has any plans of attending just yet.
“It’s such a thrill for Lorne Michaels. It’s really to celebrate Lorne Michaels and everything he’s done,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “To get to see all my fellow colleagues from SNL who I’ve performed with, some of who I haven’t. It’s going to be epic and I can’t wait. Lorne’s been planning it and working on it… People are getting so excited now.”
SNL‘s 50th season is in full swing ahead of the presidential election with special appearances from former cast members including Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg and Dana Carvey.
But it looks like they’re planning something big for 2025: NBC will be airing a three-hour-long live primetime special Feb. 16 celebrating the show’s best sketches and moments.
Seth Meyers has already confirmed that he’s been in touch with Michaels, which seems to suggest that they’re ringing up all the major SNL stars to join them for the special.
Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.