Jennifer Aniston tried to tell us about 'SNL' and its toxic culture as new revelations unearth slew of scandals

Jennifer Aniston recalls telling Lorne Michaels, 'I think that women need to be treated better here...because it was such a guys club'
UPDATED JUN 8, 2023
Jennifer Aniston rejected 'SNL' due to its toxic environment (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston rejected 'SNL' due to its toxic environment (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: NBC's Emmy-winning late-night comedy program 'Saturday Night Live', created by Lorne Michaels, is the subject of a devastating new book that alleges to reveal the poisonous climate there. In a scathing behind-the-scenes look, journalist and reporter Maureen Ryan's book 'Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, And A Call For Change In Hollywood' reveals fresh issues regarding the program, its culture, and its leadership.

In the workplace at 'SNL', Ryan claims that "abuse and toxicity are not just permitted but often celebrated" throughout ten years, as reported by DailyMail. However, a few megastar actresses refuse to be on 'SNL'. Jennifer Aniston, before landing her breakthrough role as Rachel Green on 'Friends', had a significant chance that most celebrities would have pounced at, but she declined it. Aniston turned down a part on the renowned sketch comedy program 'Saturday Night Live' in the early 1990s for a very particular and important reason, she subsequently disclosed.

Jennifer Aniston attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's
Aniston spoke about a casting opportunity she received from SNL co-creator and producer Lorne Michaels in a 2019 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Aniston spoke about a casting opportunity she received from 'SNL' co-creator and producer Lorne Michaels in a 2019 appearance on 'The Howard Stern Show'. Aniston was a little taken aback when Michaels invited her to be on the program because of how hilarious he felt she was. "Well, you were dismissed for saying, "Wait a second, I'm a f***ing serious actress. I'm not a comedian'… It was insulting to you," host Howard Stern said. "Yeah, a little bit,"  Aniston said.

'I didn't think I'd like that environment'

Aniston didn't join the cast of 'SNL' mostly due to the workplace, despite the fact that sketch comedy wasn't her area of expertise at the time. Aniston stated, "I didn't think I'd like that environment," and she told Michaels about her worries. Aniston recalls telling Michaels, "I think that women need to be treated better here...because it was such a guys club. She also mentioned how her brazenness was inspired by her youth, though. "You're just not the brightest when you're in your early 20s," she said to Stern. Aniston's co-star Lisa Kudrow from 'Friends' even left SLN, as reported by Bestofonline.

'I didn't know how to go too far outside of myself'

Kudrow said in an interview, "The thing about my characters that I did at 'The Groundlings' is they weren't the big crowdpleasers, They really weren't. … I didn't know how to go too far outside of myself. Her examples include a biology teacher and an actor appearing on a talk show," as per reports.

RELATED TOPICS JENNIFER ANISTON

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025