My earliest memory of Saturday Night Live wasn’t even from staying up late. It was me, a four-year-old kid, trying to imitate Steve Martin’s “A Wild and Crazy Guy” routine in the living room. (My parents were amused but slightly concerned.) Since then, I’ve been hooked on the legends: Chris Farley’s chaos, Tina Fey’s brilliance, Amy Poehler’s charm, and Kenan Thompson’s effortless calm while everyone else loses it. And of course, Will Ferrell.
But I can’t just sit around rewatching old SNL sketches on YouTube. I want to know what happened offstage — what shaped these comedians, what drives them, and what it’s really like behind the scenes at Studio 8H.
So here it is: my list of favorite SNL books, written by the cast members themselves.
Table of Contents
The Best Saturday Night Live Books
Here’s the list, you guys! Are you excited?
| Title | Author | Year Published | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Standing Up | Steve Martin | 2007 | Martin’s memoir of climbing from Disneyland gigs to arena-level stand-up, ending with why he quit. (I know, technically not an SNL cast member.) |
| When I Was Your Age | Kenan Thompson | 2023 | The longest-serving SNL cast member reflects on growing up, parenting and staying funny. |
| Bossypants | Tina Fey | 2011 | Fey’s memoir-ish dive into her awkward youth, SNL and 30 Rock days, and parenting. |
| A Very Punchable Face | Colin Jost | 2020 | Jost’s humorous memoir of growing up, SNL, marriage and being the “Weekend Update” guy. |
| Yes, Please | Amy Poehler | 2014 | Poehler’s mix of funny essays, life-advice and Hollywood stories. |
| Leslie Fcking Jones | Leslie Jones | 2023 | Jones’s raw, unfiltered memoir of her rise, SNL success and not letting anyone silence her. |
| I Must Say | Martin Short | 2014 | Short recounts his Canada youth, Second City, SNL stints and how he became every comedian’s favorite comedian. |
| It’s Always Something | Gilda Radner | 1989 | Original SNL cast member’s memoir of stardom and her battle with illness. |
| Hello, Molly! | Molly Shannon | 2022 | Shannon opens up about tragedy, resilience and becoming the joyously oddball star we knew on SNL. |
| You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America | Rob Schneider | 2024 | A funny, and unapologetic memoir-manifesto that blends Hollywood stories and a defense of free speech in modern America. |
| Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir | Norm Mcdonald | 2016 | Macdonald twists the memoir genre: a “memoir” that plays with truth, stand-up, pain and irreverence. |
SNL Books by Cast Members and Frequent Hosts
Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin
- Author: Steve Martin
- Year Published: 2007
- Author Background: Legendary comedian, writer, actor, and banjo enthusiast.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: OK, so technically not an official “cast member”. But frequent host from 1976 onward; known for The Wild and Crazy Guys (with Dan Aykroyd), King Tut, and Theodoric of York.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Comedy / Behind-the-Scenes
- Summary: Martin looks back on his climb from Disneyland magician to arena-level comic, then explains why he walked away at the peak.
- My Thoughts: One of my favorite comedians and actors! This book was less absurd comedy and more introspective reflection. But still awesome.
Want some more funny reads? Check out these collections of hilarious essays!
And some other hilarious memoirs here!
When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown
- Author: Kenan Thompson
- Year Published: 2023
- Author Background: Longest-running SNL cast member and Nickelodeon alum.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member since 2003; known for What’s Up With That?, Black Jeopardy!, and countless celebrity impressions (Steve Harvey, O.J. Simpson).
- Type of Book: Memoir / Parenting Humor
- Summary: Kenan blends wholesome family moments with stories from his two-decade run on SNL.
- My Thoughts: Exactly as gentle and likable as you’d expect.
Read My Review (Coming Soon!)
Want more funny books for Dads? Try these!
Bossypants by Tina Fey
- Author: Tina Fey
- Year Published: 2011
- Author Background: 30 Rock creator, Mean Girls writer, and former SNL head writer.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member and head writer (1997–2006); famed for her Weekend Update anchor run and Sarah Palin impression in later guest appearances.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Essays
- Summary: Fey’s sharp reflections on improv, Hollywood, and surviving the writers’ room without crying (too often).
- My Thoughts: Iconic book cover and often found in lists of “funniest books”. I finally caught up with everyone and read this (audiobook) in 2025!
Read my full review! (Coming Soon!)
A Very Punchable Face
- Author: Colin Jost
- Year Published: 2020
- Author Background: Weekend Update co-anchor and longtime SNL writer.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Writer since 2005, head writer for multiple seasons, Weekend Update anchor since 2014.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Essays
- Summary: Jost recounts injuries, failures, and absurd writing moments with dry perfection.
- My Thoughts: Sorry, I still think of Colin as “Mr. Scarlett Johansson”.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Yes Please by Amy Poeler
- Author: Amy Poehler
- Year Published: 2014
- Author Background: Parks and Recreation star and co-founder of Upright Citizens Brigade.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (2001–2008); Weekend Update co-anchor with Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, plus Kaitlin the hyperactive schoolgirl.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Inspirational Humor
- Summary: Poehler shares career highs and personal chaos.
- My Thoughts: Delightful, sweet, ambitious. Listened via audiobook.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones
- Author: Leslie Jones
- Year Published: 2023
- Author Background: Stand-up powerhouse and Ghostbusters reboot star.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (2014–2019); standout in Weekend Update appearances and Black Jeopardy! sketches.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Raw Humor
- Summary: Jones chronicles her climb from broke comic to SNL headliner, never toning down her voice.
- My Thoughts: For a guy who likes wholesome books, I sure am drawn to book titles with swears!
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Check out more funny memoirs here!
I Must Say by Martin Short
- Author: Martin Short
- Year Published: 2014
- Author Background: Canadian sketch veteran and character chameleon.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (1984–1985); famous for Ed Grimley, Jackie Rogers Jr., and Lawrence Orbach.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Showbiz Humor
- Summary: Short reflects on fame, love, and friendship with Steve Martin.
- My Thoughts: Warm, generous, and genuinely moving. Also name drops every comedian and actor you’ve ever heard of.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
It’s Always Something by Gilda Radner
- Author: Gilda Radner
- Year Published: 1989
- Author Background: Original SNL cast member and comedy pioneer.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (1975–1980); beloved for Roseanne Roseannadanna, Baba Wawa, and Emily Litella.
- Type of Book: Memoir / Inspirational Humor
- Summary: Radner’s posthumous memoir balances joy, humor, and grace in the face of cancer.
- My Thoughts: One of the most influential SNL cast members. Gone too soon.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Hello, Molly by Molly Shannon
- Author: Molly Shannon
- Year Published: 2022
- Author Background: Superstar herself, known for fearless physical comedy.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (1995–2001); known for Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley (“I’m 50!”).
- Type of Book: Memoir / Comedy / Tragedy-meets-Triumph
- Summary: Shannon’s life story weaves trauma and joy into one wild comedy of survival.
- My Thoughts: Funny and gut-wrenching in the same breath.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
You Can Do It! Speak Your Mind, America by Rob Schneider
- Author: Rob Schneider
- Year Published: 2024 (expected)
- Author Background: Comedian and longtime Adam Sandler collaborator.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (1988–1994); famous for The Richmeister (“Makin’ copies!”) and The Sensitive Naked Man.
- Type of Book: Political Humor / Opinion
- Summary: Schneider mixes political commentary with his usual energy.
- My Thoughts: Expect less SNL nostalgia and more soapbox.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir by Norm Mcdonald
- Author: Norm Macdonald
- Year Published: 2016
- Author Background: Deadpan legend and Weekend Update anchor.
- SNL Era / Key Skits: Cast member (1993–1998); best known for Weekend Update, Burt Reynolds on Celebrity Jeopardy!
- Type of Book: Meta-Memoir / Fiction / Comedy Experiment
- Summary: A “memoir” that deliberately blurs fact and fiction with Norm’s dry, mischievous tone.
- My Thoughts: Weird and awkwardly brilliant.
Check out my full review! (Coming Soon!)
Conclusion: Books Written by SNL Cast Members
If you grew up quoting SNL sketches or can still hum the “Live from New York” theme, these books feel like catching up with old friends. They are funny, weird, and occasionally heartfelt. Some dive deep into the notorious chaos of live TV, others veer into family life or self-reflection. Either way, they prove that comedy writers and sketch performers are secretly some of the best storytellers out there.
I know I’m missing plenty of other SNL books. Let me know if you’ve read any others!
