In a surprising revelation following Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special, Mikey Day opened up about an uncomfortable moment involving filmmaker Steven Spielberg. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Day explained how Spielberg’s planned cameo in the “Close Encounters” sketch was unexpectedly cut due to time constraints, leaving him in what he called “an awkward abyss.”
Comedian Mikey Day, a cast member on Saturday Night Live, disclosed that Steven Spielberg’s cameo in the SNL50: The Anniversary Special was removed before the final broadcast. The event took place during rehearsals for the live show in New York. According to Day, the show ran longer than expected, forcing producers to trim multiple sketches, including Spielberg’s scene. The decision created an awkward situation when Day later encountered the director at a separate event honoring SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
Main Details
Day recounted that Spielberg had filmed a brief appearance where he played himself, joking that he wanted to make a movie based on the sketch’s events. However, producers determined that the cameo—though humorous—was an “added element” that had to be cut to meet broadcast timing requirements. The sketch still aired featuring Kate McKinnon, Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson, and Jon Hamm, reprising fan-favorite roles.
Quotes and Reactions
“Everyone loves Steven Spielberg. I love this man so much. He’s so important to me,” Mikey Day said on Fallon’s show. “But we had to cut him out because the show was running long. I hate that this happened.”
He also described a follow-up encounter with Spielberg as “painfully awkward,” admitting he couldn’t bring himself to correct the director when Spielberg mentioned that “the whole sketch was cut.”
Impact Analysis
The moment reflects the high-stakes editing process behind SNL50, which balanced nostalgia with strict live-show timing. While Spielberg’s cameo would have added star power, producers prioritized pacing and consistency. The Close Encounters sketch, already packed with A-list talent, maintained its humor and momentum, drawing strong viewer engagement and trending moments across social media.
What’s Next
Despite the mishap, Mikey Day remains a central figure in SNL’s ensemble and continues to collaborate on future sketches and special episodes. Spielberg, meanwhile, is set to produce multiple projects in 2026, with no indication that the incident has affected his relationship with NBC or SNL producers.
Sources
Deadline
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
NBC / Saturday Night Live Archives
