Conan O’Brien is crediting Adam Sandler for helping bring much-needed positivity to the Saturday Night Live set during what was, for many, an emotionally taxing time behind the scenes. 

In a recent episode of his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the former SNL writer opened up to Andy Samberg about his experience on the show in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and how Sandler’s attitude made a noticeable difference when he joined in 1991.

O’Brien recalled being surrounded by intensity and pressure during his time as a writer from 1988 to 1991, with peers like Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, and Greg Daniels treating the job like a matter of “life or death.” 

But Sandler, who became a cast member just as O’Brien’s tenure was ending, brought with him an entirely different energy.

“He was like, ‘This is so much fun to be at SNL. Oh, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it. Yippee!’” O’Brien remembered. 

“And he had that, ‘I’m going to do Opera Man. I’m going to do this. I’m going to do that. This is great, guys!’ I was like, ‘This is a possibility? You can like this?’”

Reflecting on his own approach to the job, O’Brien admitted that he was far too intense during those years, and in hindsight, it affected not just his enjoyment but perhaps even his longevity at the show. 

“I was way too intense, and I think I robbed myself of some fun that I could have had,” he confessed. “I did have a lot of fun, but I think I could have had more fun.”

He went on to share that burnout was a major reason for his departure. 

“I burnt out. I burnt out. And [Lorne Michaels] could not have been nicer,” he said. Although exhausted, O’Brien’s exit didn’t close the door with Michaels, who later brought him back for the late night opportunity that launched his next big chapter.

As for Sandler, his infectious joy left a lasting impact, showing that even in a high-pressure environment like SNL, lightheartedness and fun could be just as powerful as grit.