Will Ferrell's Fear of the Sunrise, Foo Fighters Karaoke, a Harry Styles and Kristen Wiig Dance-Off:SNLAlums Spill on Their Exclusive After Parties

Mar. 15, 2025

Will Ferrell (left); Harry Styles (middle); Kristen Wiig (right).Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty, Cindy Ord/WireImage

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty, Cindy Ord/WireImage

TheSaturday Night Liveafterparties are the stuff of legends, but in honor of the show’s 50th season, cast members and alums are lifting the lid on whatreallygoes down after they leave Studio 8H.

ForNew York Magazine’s sprawlingSNLcover story, alums includingAmy Poehler,John MulaneyandKate McKinnon, and current cast members likeBowen Yangwere asked to share their favorite memory from an after-party — and their answers are as good as gold.

“There was a blizzard one time whenPaul Giamattihosted that also turned into some kind of party with the Strokes,” Poehler, 53, said to kick off thevideo, clarifying, “And when I say ‘blizzard,’ I mean actual snow.”

Leslie Joneswas up next, and she said the after-party withDave Chappellewas her favorite. “We were there ‘til five in the morning. He had the live band,Lenny Kravitzwas there,Naomi Campbell. And he sang to me!”

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler during “Weekend Update” in 2004.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Karaoke with theFoo Fighterswas a popular answer among the group, asJason Sudeikisrecalled that he performed “‘Come Together’ but I had to look at my phone to know all the lyrics, whichDave Grohlgave me the appropriate amount of s— for.”

Mulaney, 42, also mentioned the karaoke as a highlight from when “Mick Jaggerhosted on the skating rink of 30 Rock,” as he revealed another all-star performance: “Amy Poehler did ‘Bad Reputation.'”

Will Forte, Steve Martin, Fred Armisen, Jason Sudeikis, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg on SNL in 2006.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Aidy Bryant’s favorite after-party memory was a particularly juicy one, as she revealed a never-heard-before story involving Styles, 30, and Wiig, 51.

“Kristen Wiig hosted and I don’t know if Harry Styles was the musical guest or just there, but there was a bit of a dance-off between the two of them on a table at an after-party,” Bryant, 37, recalled. “And I really was like, ‘This is it.'”

Not all of it was glamorous, though, asAna Gasteyerrecalled the hilarious phraseWill Ferrellwould use when he realized just how late they had all been out.

“My favorite thing — and it happened more than once — is Will Ferrell used to always say, ‘Uh-oh, it’s the icky blue light.’ We would look out the window and it was light outside, and we would all crawl home to bed,” she recalled.

“And in that evening at that after-party, my hair got stuck onWoody Harrelson’s sweater button for 20 minutes and we couldn’t pull it apart,” she said. “And thenDavid Blainecame over and ate a wineglass.”

Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig on SNL.Saturday Night Live/YouTube

Saturday Night Live/YouTube

There was, of course, some appreciation forthe rockstar party thrown in celebration ofSNL’s 40th seasona decade ago, asSasheer Zamatanamed that party her favorite. Zamata, 38, andFred Armisenrecalled their excitement overPrincebeing in attendance.

“Prince floated into the room,” Zamata said, while Armisen, 58, added, “I don’t mean this as a joke, he really looks like Prince.”

With his usual sarcasm,Jay Pharoahrecalled sitting “right behindDrake” at an after-party and becoming friends with the rapper — though it didn’t last. “Drake came over, he sat down, he talked. We formed a camaraderie. He’s changed his number since then, but it’s all good.”

John Mulaney and Chloe Fineman on SNL season 50.Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Bowen YangandCecily Strongboth named the after-party followingRuPaul’s hosting debut as their favorite, as Strong, 40, recalled, “There were all these drag queens. Like everyone was dancing on tables and I had not seen that before.”

“We were at STK Midtown, very buttoned-up establishment,” Yang, 34, said. “Then RuPaul had a DJ there who played house music and thenthe season 12 girlscame and then we all go to the tables and started dancing. Beautiful footage ofEgo Nwodimin a white dress grinding up against Josh Sharpe.”

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source: people.com