Ana Gasteyer says Sean “Diddy” Combs insisted on a full studio lockdown throughout his visitor look on *Saturday Night time Dwell* in 1998, sparking memorable moments behind the scenes.
Talking on the *Las Culturistas* podcast, the comic described how the Hip-Hop mogul, who was then performing underneath the title Puff Daddy, requested all the *SNL* set be closed off whereas he rehearsed his music.
The shutdown occurred throughout Combs’ Might 1998 visitor spot on the long-running comedy present, the place he carried out “Come With Me,” a single that includes a well known Led Zeppelin pattern from “Kashmir.”
“You may spot the 5 jerks in my six years there (from 1996 to 2002). They’d are available in, and out of the blue it’d be, ‘So-and-so is within the constructing, everybody keep in your dressing rooms,’” Gasteyer mentioned. “It is smart for a president, however in any other case? No. That is *our* home. For P. Diddy, he demanded a completely closed set.”
Gasteyer mentioned fellow solid member Will Ferrell introduced his trademark humor into the high-pressure environment.
Days earlier than the episode aired, Ferrell crashed Combs’ rehearsal dressed as an eccentric character named Ron.
“I’ve video from the management room,” Gasteyer recalled. “Sean Combs is rapping, with that ‘da-na-na, da-na-na’ Kashmir riff, and right here comes Ron wandering round wanting completely misplaced. It’s the very best factor ever as a result of, actually, think about interrupting Combs—a man whose complete picture was constructed on exaggerated significance—with Ron. (Combs) was completely uncomfortable, however it was so good. It uncovered how overblown the entire seriousness was.”
Ferrell confirmed the story throughout a 2020 *Vulture* interview, describing how he sprinted onstage earlier than anybody tried to cease him, totally committing to the bit.
The story of Combs’ *SNL* set has resurfaced amid his current authorized troubles.
In September, the music producer, identified for his affect within the Hip-Hop trade, was arrested on costs together with intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.
Combs, who pleaded not responsible, stays in federal custody, awaiting trial.
Representatives for each *Saturday Night time Dwell* and Combs have but to touch upon Gasteyer’s podcast claims.
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