John Mulaney, the renowned comedian and writer known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), recently opened up about two celebrities who rejected his jokes during his time on the sketch comedy show. In a recent episode of the YouTube series “Hot Ones,” Mulaney revealed that both Josh Brolin and Mick Jagger were not fans of some of his jokes.
Recalling his experience with Josh Brolin, who hosted SNL at one point, Mulaney shared that he was writing a sketch when Brolin commented, “Well, this isn’t funny.” Despite the blunt criticism, Mulaney appreciated the actor’s matter-of-fact reaction, describing it as a “gentlemanly exchange of ideas.” He even acknowledged that Brolin did him a service by providing honest feedback.
Mulaney then moved on to recount his encounter with Mick Jagger, the legendary lead vocalist of the Rolling Stones. During Jagger’s hosting gig in 2012, Mulaney pitched a joke that went, “Hey everyone, I’m Mick Jagger, so mothers lock up your daughters, and daughters lock up your mothers.” However, Jagger didn’t find it amusing and dismissed it by saying, “Nah, I don’t like that.” Mulaney ended up having Seth Meyers, another SNL cast member, deliver the joke instead.
These anecdotes shed light on the collaborative nature of the SNL writing process and the different opinions of the celebrity hosts. Mulaney, who worked on the show as a writer from 2008 to 2013, later went on to achieve success as a comedian, actor, and producer. He has starred in his own comedy specials, lent his voice to various projects, and even returned to host SNL multiple times, earning a spot in the coveted “Five-Timers Club.”
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These encounters with Brolin and Jagger aren’t the first time Mulaney has spoken about their reactions to his jokes. In his Netflix special, “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City,” he mentioned that Mick Jagger had called one of his jokes “not funny.” Reflecting on the experience, Mulaney humorously remarked, “I mean, people say that on the internet, but never to your face does a British billionaire in leather pants go, ‘Not Funny!'”
In addition to discussing his experiences with celebrity hosts, Mulaney also shared his thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in comedy writing. Hollywood’s increasing reliance on AI has become a major concern for the Writers Guild, which is currently on strike following failed contract negotiations with studios and streaming platforms.
Mulaney expressed his belief in the importance of distinguishing jokes written by humans from those created by AI. He emphasized that there is a profound difference between knowing that you’re hearing a joke from a person and knowing that it comes from AI. While he acknowledged that AI-generated jokes may be solid, he doesn’t envision technology taking over comedy writing entirely. Mulaney humorously suggested that AI could potentially replace the 15th joke in an award show monologue, indicating that there is still a place for human creativity and intuition in comedy.
In a recent interview on “The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter” podcast, Mulaney delved further into his career, discussing his early interest in comedy, his short-lived sitcom “Mulaney,” and more. The comedian’s ability to reflect on his experiences and provide insights into the comedy world adds depth to his already impressive body of work.
All in all, John Mulaney’s time on SNL exposed him to a variety of reactions from celebrity hosts such as Josh Brolin and Mick Jagger. While some rejected his jokes, Mulaney appreciated the feedback and used it as an opportunity for growth. As he continues to make his mark in the comedy industry, Mulaney remains an influential figure with a unique perspective on the art of humor.
