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Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer Chat with Fans Online:
A Transcript of the Event

Ana Gasteyer and Will Ferrell
Live Chat on NBC.com's SNL Stage
May 7, 1998
5:30 pm PT / 8:30 pm ET

Chat Host
Welcome to the NBC Live Studio at Talk City! We'd like to welcome Ana Gasteyer and Will Ferrell of NBC's "Saturday Night Live".

Chat Host relays a question from lady_gwen:
How fun is it to be on live TV, it has to get hectic, right?

Ana Gasteyer
It's nothing but hectic.

Will Ferrell
However, it is a lot of fun.

Chat Host relays a question from latelinetv:
How many years of comedy practice did it take you to get to SNL?

Ana Gasteyer
Informally, my entire life, but about five.

Will Ferrell
Since I was in high school.

Chat Host relays a question from zacaboy:
what is your favorite spartan cheer Will?

Will Ferrell
My favorite cheer is the "Chess Cheer" about Bobby Fischer.

Chat Host relays a question from chevychase:
How do you feel about the comments of today's SNL not being as good or as funny as the days of old?

Ana Gasteyer
We haven't heard many of them lately, so that's nice.

Chat Host relays a question from jonnie5:
What's this I hear about a movie coming up with Will and Chris?

Will Ferrell
It's called "A Night at the Roxbury" and it's the story of the two club guys. It'll be coming out in October.

Chat Host relays a question from jonnie5:
Will there be any cast changes next season?

Will Ferrell
I know that I've been fired.

Ana Gasteyer
And I plan to start temping.

Chat Host relays a question from snlmike:
Do either of you know Louis Klein, the man who goes to every episode? I'm going to be the next Louis. You'll see me every Friday night next season.

Ana Gasteyer
We know him very well.

Chat Host relays a question from jennyb:
Ana, I read that you were going to be a part of the Lilith Fair, what is your act going to be like? by the way you have a great voice, ever think of making an album?

Ana Gasteyer
Thanks for the endorsement. I'll be performing as Cinder Calhoun, which is thanks to Sarah McLachlan and her sense of humor.

Chat Host relays a question from alleycat9:
Ana: Any talk of you being WU update co-anchor? (I think you would be great!)

Ana Gasteyer
Thanks again, but everybody including me is very happy with Colin.

Chat Host relays a question from gikey:
You guys are so funny!! How do you keep from cracking up on stage???

Will Ferrell
We don't! We laugh all the time -- especially doing Bobbi and Marty. It's hard to look at Ana in that wig!

Ana Gasteyer
... not to mention Will's bald pate!

Chat Host relays a question from ericktul:
Is Will going to do the Harry Caray sketch ever again?

Will Ferrell
It seems I'm getting a lot of response to continue to do it, so maybe next year.

Chat Host relays a question from lady_gwen:
Hello has there ever been any major mess up when you were taping live and you had to just continue, I love the show!!

Ana Gasteyer
When I was singing with Garth Brooks, the lights went out on our cue cards! Fortunately, we had memorized the song.

Will Ferrell
There are always changes being made at the last second, so we learn to stay on our toes.

Chat Host relays a question from jennyb:
Will, you're so funny! How do you think of your characters? How much of it are the writers and how much of it is from your input?

Will Ferrell
Thank you very much. I think of characters by observing people and everyday life.

Ana Gasteyer
We -- the cast -- get a lot of input in the show, which is really gratifying.

Chat Host relays a question from adam1:
who was your favorite guest?

Ana Gasteyer
This year, Steve Buscemi was the most fun backstage.

Will Ferrell
I second that with a strong vote for Julianne Moore.

Ana Gasteyer
... which I also second.

are ana and will really typing... or is it someone else?

Ana Gasteyer
We both are getting manicures right now, as we talk, so someone else is typing.

Chat Host relays a question from picard:
Heya Ana and Bill -- I was wondering if you two enjoy doing you little music teacher session? You guys do a great job in it BTW!

Will Ferrell
Yes, we have a great time working on them!

Ana Gasteyer
They are my favorite characters to write for.

Chat Host relays a question from stryker:
Will what is your favorite character or sketch on the show??

Will Ferrell
It's hard to say because with each new show, there is a sketch that you grow attached to for that week.

Chat Host relays a question from snlmike:
I'm desperate to get into the End Of Season show in Rockefeller Center. Is there any way I can be invited (please, I'm a big fan)?

Ana Gasteyer
Part of our low status position involves very few tickets, but I promise I would have given them to you.

Chat Host relays a question from jennyb:
Ana, how do you write the songs for Cinder Calhoun?

Will Ferrell
She doesn't ... I do.

Ana Gasteyer
He's a liar. I collaborate with our musical director Cheryl Hardwick.

Chat Host relays a question from jazzyjoel:
I really like SNL... it is my favorite show. I would like to know how long you guys spend rehearsing your parts?

Ana Gasteyer
Not very much ... we don't start until Thursday!

Chat Host relays a question from chevychase:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood?

Will Ferrell
A lot of wood, man.

Chat Host relays a question from jennyb:
Ana, you're my favorite performer this season! How did you get interested in comedy/improv?

Ana Gasteyer
I'm blushing ... I think I always loved comedy but I didn't start formally until I was in college.

Chat Host relays a question from halfbaked:
What is in store for the finale of SNL this season? Can you give a sneak peek of next year's show?

Will Ferrell
All I can say is one thing ... Paula Abdul, Paula Abdul, Paula Abdul.

Chat Host relays a question from lady_gwen:
Did you start off with comedy or something else like acting or singing or something?

Will Ferrell
I didn't really start any sort of performing until after I graduated from college.

Ana Gasteyer
I was a singer, an actress, a violin nerd ...

Chat Host relays a question from jonnie5:
How did you get started with SNL, Ana or Will?

Ana and Will
We were both in "The Groundlings", a comedy theatre company in Los Angeles.

Chat Host relays a question from gikey:
Are you guys married?? If not will you marry me??

Will Ferrell
Ana is married, but I will marry you if my girlfriend lets me.

Chat Host relays a question from latelinetv:
How can we contact you and do you to all letters?

Ana and Will
You can write us at the show, and we will get back to you even if it takes a long time because we are lame.

Chat Host relays a question from michael:
how do you think you rank with the past SNL cast members?? Chevy Chase...etc.

Will Ferrell
It's hard to say. The current cast is always up against the past. However, we feel strongly about this group.

Ana Gasteyer
We are not good at seeing ourselves objectively, but we do recognize that this cast has a real ensemble feeling, which is often compared to the past.

Chat Host relays a question from beachgoddess: What advice do you have to anyone who loves and wants to get into sketch comedy like SNL?

Ana Gasteyer
Start writing for yourself and find a supportive showcase for sketch comedy.

Will Ferrell
I love what Ana said ...

Chat Host relays a question from halfbaked:
A LIVE production has to be quite a challenge. What's the funniest thing that has happened and what did you do?

Ana Gasteyer
I decked a cameraman by accident, four seconds before starting "Celine Dion".

Will Ferrell
We did a sketch called "Riding My Donkey" in which we had to sit on actual, live donkeys that kept roaming around the studio!

Ana Gasteyer
They relieved themselves and tried to bite Darryl Hammond in the crotch! That's the hardest we've laughed on camera.

Chat Host relays a question from blink182_bri:
Can you say something funny?

Will Ferrell
Poo-poo face.

Chat Host relays a question from tun-p:
will, do you and the other cheerleader get it on.. if ya know what I mean???

Will Ferrell
Craig has -- despite several attempts -- never been able to even get close to Arianna.

Chat Host relays a question from adam1:
how did you get a part in austin powers?

Will Ferrell
I was fortunate enough to be asked by Mike Myers if I wanted to be in the movie, and of course I said "YES!"

Chat Host relays a question from tommybee`:
I loved that segment poking fun at Celine Dion! How do you personally feel about her music? And do you really think Amy Grant is THAT bad? ;o)

Ana Gasteyer
She is deliciously corny and earnest, and is the "Canadian Kathie Lee". I don't know much about Amy Grant, but LeAnn Rimes would make a great guest for Celine.

Chat Host relays a question from stryker:
How many hours of preparation go into putting the Saturday show together?

Will Ferrell
Believe it or not, we put 60 to 70 hours a week ... sometimes more.

Chat Host relays a question from ted:
do either of you ever write at all for the show, if so, what are some sketches you've written?

Ana Gasteyer
Pretty much anything that is character-driven involves the actor writing.

Chat Host relays a question from tommybee:
I know that many of the skits have been spun off into movies. Might the Spartan cheerleaders be heading in that direction?

Will Ferrell
Currently that is not the case, even though we do get a lot of people asking us that question.

Chat Host relays a question from goodison:
Did you ever think when young you would be doing a national television show?

Ana Gasteyer
I hoped to be one of Tony Orlando's "Dawn"s.

Will Ferrell
I used to watch the Tom Jones show and think some day that would be fun to do.

Chat Host relays a question from alleycat9:
When will we know the cast for next season?

Will Ferrell
Probably to the middle to end of the summer. I do know for sure, though, that I've been fired.

Chat Host relays a question from alleycat9:
Do members of the cast hang around with each other a lot outside of the show?

Ana Gasteyer
Yes, probably more than is healthy ...... Will and I own a houseboat off Crete. A total blast.

Chat Host relays a question from gikey:
Do you ever get star struck even though you a star yourself??

Will Ferrell
Yes!

Ana Gasteyer
I do too.

Will Ferrell
I was really nervous to meet Tom Hanks ... and Richard Jewell.

Ana Gasteyer
I get blown away with lots of musical guests.

Chat Host relays a question from annod:
who was your favorite musical guest on the show?

Ana Gasteyer
Last season, Beck. This season, Sarah McLachlan.

Will Ferrell
Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys.

Chat Host relays a question from stryker:
Do you guys ever look back on old episodes of SNL for ideas or tips??

Will Ferrell
We are so busy doing the show that we don't really get a chance to look at old tapes.

Chat Host relays a question from gikey:
I saw you guys in Rosie O'Donell Show!! How is she like in person??

Will Ferrell
She is great!

Ana Gasteyer
A supportive fan of the Culps.

Chat Host relays a question from jonnie5:
Are you guys going to watch the finale for Seinfeld?

Will Ferrell
Absolutely.

Chat Host relays a question from country76:
Will and Ana what kind of music do you listen to

Will Ferrell
Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys.

Chat Host relays a question from stryker:
How often do you get recognized outside of the show?? and what is usually the response from people who recognize you?

Ana Gasteyer
People are amazingly friendly and supportive.

Will Ferrell
It's a lot of fun getting recognized, especially with people being so supportive.

Ana Gasteyer
It's nice when we're out of New York and that happens. Since our show is live, we forget that it's televised nationally and that we have fans in other places.

Chat Host relays a question from lady_gwen:
This isn't a question, just a comment, I Love the show soooooooooo much thanx for being such great actors and actresses!!!!!!

Chat Host relays a question from kitten:
What is the funniest skit you have ever done on SNL????

Ana Gasteyer
It changes every week.

Will Ferrell
I really enjoyed doing Haray Caray with Jeff Goldblum.

Chat Host relays a question from emilyjane:
Hi! I love your show! I was wondering, how do you feel about little kids watching your show?

Ana Gasteyer
Good question. We probably have material that's bluer than we recognize for little kids, but it's on so late that they should be asleep.

Chat Host relays a question from rslvco:
Ana: where did you come up with the ladies that have the radio show?

Ana Gasteyer
I HEIGHT="740">m a huge NPR fanatic so its something I'd been thinking of for a long time.

Chat Host relays a question from kay:
How tall is Cheri Oteri?

Ana and Will
5'1" or 5'2".

Chat Host relays a question from tyler_007:
did you like it when buffy was on the show will? I liked the dinner skit. Thanx for being the funniest people on TV

Will Ferrell
Thank you! That was one of the highlights of this year.

Ana Gasteyer
For me too!

Chat Host relays a question from alleycat9:
What do you typically do on your time off from the show? Any standup?

Will Ferrell
With our schedule being so hectic, we spend a lot of time just relaxing and doing nothing.

Ana Gasteyer
I'm not a standup, but I play one on TV.

Chat Host relays a question from blink182_bri:
since Seinfeld is leaving, do you think a show about midgets could replace it?

Ana Gasteyer
Midgets, dealing with small situations in New York ... hmm ...

Will Ferrell
How did you know what NBC programming was going to do?! That's amazing!

Chat Host relays a question from xpac1:
what would be your advice to a struggling comedian (me)?

Ana Gasteyer
Be tenacious. Get as much stage time as possible.

Will Ferrell
Any stage experience you can get -- no matter how small -- is valuable.

Chat Host relays a question from bleyer:
Ana, how do you feel about the alleged sexism at SNL, as mentioned publicly by former SNL cast member Janeane Garofalo?

Ana Gasteyer
I am pleased to say that that is a dead issue. I've found the show very supportive of women since I've been here.

Chat Host relays a question from jennyb:
Where did that truck driver sketch come from? It was the single funniest thing I saw on TV that week.

Will Ferrell
From one of our writers ... who loves truckin'. I'm glad you liked it! It was one of our favorites as well.

Chat Host relays a question from p:
The Janet Reno skit is really funny. Do you like that blue dress also?

Will Ferrell
I actually have one at home that I wear around town.

Chat Host relays a question from tyler_007:
ever get mobbed by fans?

Ana Gasteyer
We have been mobbed a few times, but it's not a regular occurrence.

Chat Host relays a question from april:
WHERE do you guys come up with the material -- is it luck?

Will Ferrell
Sometimes.

Ana Gasteyer
Sometimes it's luck ... sometimes it's weeks of hard work.

Will Ferrell
And sometimes a lot of material is generated from simply hanging around with each other and goofing off.

Ana and Will
Good night! It was fun chatting and thanks for your awesome questions. Please watch the show on Saturday! It would mean a lot to us personally, since we've both been fired!

Chat Host
THANK YOU for a great chat everyone! And of course, a very BIG thank-you to Ana and Will for spending their time with us this evening.

Source: NBC.COM

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