Tracy Morgan recalls 'SNL' fights: 'Whitest show in America'

Tracy MorganHosting 'Saturday Night Live' from 1996 to 2003 was a major chapter in his career, but it wasn't without its challenges.

Since its premiere in 1975, “Saturday Night Live” has been a cornerstone of late-night television, launching the careers of many comedy legends, including Steve Martinand Aykroyd, Tina FeyAdam Sandler, Pete Davidsonand Kate McKinnon.

However, the experience of working on the show comes with its own set of challenges, as many of the cast revealed, including Tracy Morgan.

In Peacock's documentary “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” Morgan, now 56, candidly recalled feeling out of place in the early years of the show.

“I wanted to show them my world, how funny it was. But for the first three years, I felt like I was culturally isolated sometimes,” he explained. “I come from a black world. I'm an inner-city kid.”

Referring to “SNL” as “the whitest show in America,” Morgan admitted, “I felt alone. I thought they didn't get it.

Morgan credits “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels with helping him find his footing. Michael gave Morgan valuable advice that ultimately shaped his approach to comedy on the show.

“Lorne Michaels talked to me,” Morgan said. “He said, 'Tracy, I hired you because you're funny, not because you're black.' So do your thing. And then I started doing my thing.

Pete Davidson, who spent eight seasons on “SNL” from 2014 to 2022, recently sparked conversations about the show's pay structure. “Do you know what they pay us?” Davidson said in a video about New York magazine in December 2024. “It's like an episode of three grand. I think I ate dinner. “

Jason Sudeikis echoed similar sentiments, admitting that his salary didn't allow for big purchases in the show's early years. “I don't think you make enough money to make big purchases. I think the New York rental was probably the biggest purchase I made after my first year writing for SNL,” he shared.

Other current and former “SNL” cast members including James Austin Johnson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sarah Silverman, Sarah Sherman, Sherry Oteri, Seth Meyers, Bowen Janand Rachel Drachalso expressed.

“I bought a pair of shoes that was out of my budget,” Louis-Dreyfus revealed. “I'll tell you it was $75.”

Yang also treated herself to a pair of shoes, sharing a video: “Going to Saks across the street for a pair of Gucci shoes. The kind that everyone got, and the kind that I wouldn't feel very cool about now.

Some members, including Johnson, Myers and Oteri, revealed that they used their first paycheck to buy furniture.

“The couch. I've had it reupholstered three or four times,” Oteri replied. “I remember a designer coming up in tears and saying, 'Okay, those arms are too high. We've got to get it… We're going to get rid of it.' from that couch. I said, 'No, you're not. No, you're leaving.'

Former child star Bobb'e J. Thompson has accused comedian Tracy Morgan of inappropriate behavior during their time on The Tracy Morgan Show. In an interview with Comedy Hype NewsThompson claimed Morgan wooed him when he was just seven years old while starring in the NBC sitcom, which ran for one season from 2003 to 2004.

Thompson claimed the incident occurred during a tense encounter when Morgan grabbed her by the collar, cursed at her and used the N-word. Reflecting on the potential controversy, Thompson said it stemmed from his reputation as a “scene stealer” due to his energetic and comedic performances.

“I remember being a kid on a certain set and the star of this particular project I was working on got mad at me,” Thompson said. “I'm just a seven-year-old kid just doing my job bro. He got mad at me and grabbed me by the collar and said, 'What the f is on that sign, my n—a?'” That's how he with me took action.”

Thompson added that Morgan has repeatedly criticized him for “revolting” during scenes, claiming the comedian often tells him to tone down his energy. At the time, Thompson played Jimmy, the youngest son of Morgan's character, a garage owner who balances family and work life.