David Spade spent six seasons on Saturday Night Live turning sarcasm into an art form, most memorably as the sardonic D*** Clark's Receptionist who greeted everyone — even Jesus — with a flat "And you are?" But behind that effortlessly deadpan delivery was a cast member quietly struggling to be seen, watching castmates rack up more airtime while he fought to carve out his own space.

The actor, however, took a note from his last name and continued to sharpen his sarcasm coded spade.

Yet his beginning at SNL was not so smooth.

During a recent episode of Dana Carvey’s Fly on the Wall podcast, David Spade confessed that he used to tell fellow cast members he was jealous when they received more airtime.

“When you go to SNL, and then you are hearing all these whispers of like, someone’s getting on [the air] more there, I would actively admit I was jealous,” Spade said. He explained that the feeling pushed him to elevate his own performance. Spade recalled approaching Adam Sandler after sketches and telling him.

“That was funny, I am so jealous,” as a way of acknowledging strong work. His six-season run from 1990 to 1996 became an exercise in sharpening his own material while surrounded by talented performers.The comedian also pointed to another reward that mattered deeply to him: earning the trust of fellow performers.

He explained in the podcast that when other comedians feel comfortable improvising with you, it becomes a meaningful sign of professional respect. Guest Tony Hale agreed, emphasizing the creative freedom that comes from that level of confidence between performers. Spade’s reflections reveal a side of SNL that audiences rarely see. Airtime can become a measure of visibility inside a cast filled with ambitious comedians, and Spade learned to channel that pressure into his own work.

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That competitive spirit connects neatly with another SNL performer preparing to step beyond the sketch show and into his own spotlight.

James Austin Johnson, best known for his Donald Trump impersonation on Saturday Night Live, is preparing to release his debut stand-up special, He’ll Yeah. The hour-long performance is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Gorilla Comedy+ from 800 Pound Gorilla before reaching YouTube on September 22.

The special features Johnson performing at venues including The Den Theatre in Chicago, Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco and Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville. Its trailer embraces the comedian’s offbeat style, presenting the special with tongue-in-cheek stakes and an intentionally outrageous premise.

Johnson joined SNL in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the show’s prominent political impressionists. His Trump portrayal has become a recurring feature, frequently opening episodes with the familiar “Live from New York” introduction. His repertoire extends well beyond the former president, with impressions of Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell and Bob Dylan.

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What do you think about David Spade’s candid admission about jealousy at SNL? Let us know in the comments.