Rosebud Baker, a comedian celebrated for her candid and often dark humor, recently provided an insightful glimpse into her role as a writer for the renowned “Weekend Update”segment of Saturday Night Live (SNL). During her appearance on The Last Laugh podcast, she characterized the experience as:
“much more isolating where it’s just you and your computer and a bunch of headlines.”
Joining SNL in its 47th season back in 2022, Baker initially worked as a sketch writer. However, she later gravitated towards writing solely for “Weekend Update,” showcasing her adaptability in the show’s structure, which is led by hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. Although the job’s solitary nature differs from ensemble sketch work, it aligns perfectly with Baker’s background in stand-up comedy.
Insights from Rosebud Baker’s SNL Writing Experience
Initially focused on creating content revolving around the week’s celebrity hosts, Baker quickly found her niche within the “Weekend Update”format, which she believes better complements her comedic style. “It feels like a totally different game,” she expressed on the podcast. “As a stand-up, it’s much closer to what I’m used to and the way that my brain works.”
Despite the shift toward a more individual working environment, she finds fulfillment in her role. Baker commented on her enjoyment of spending hours alone, “just sitting in front of a computer and writing jokes.” While this approach lacks the collaborative aspect of sketch writing, she finds it to be a more creatively enriching experience.
An instance illustrating her unique comedic flair involved a punchline about a study suggesting men could face extinction in six million years. During a vibrant post-election episode where Donald Trump had triumphed over Kamala Harris, Baker’s joke was met with enthusiasm from the live audience, accentuated by the delivery from Michael Che:
“So ladies, hang in there, you’ll get your little president.”
Baker noted that even monumental episodes, such as the highly anticipated 50th anniversary celebration of SNL, are not compiled far in advance. “It’s like every other show at SNL where nothing’s really done until the week of the show,” she explained, reflecting on the fast-paced environment of the comedy writing process.
Addressing the unpredictable nature of live performance, Baker emphasized the uncertainty that accompanies comedic writing. She stated that even the most well-crafted jokes require the validation of a live audience to determine their success, highlighting the intrinsic uncertainty of live comedy.
While this pressure might be daunting, Baker finds joy in the immediacy of live performances. The “Weekend Update” format allows her to concentrate wholly on her writing without the distractions of cast performances or production logistics.
Motherhood: A Unique Influence on Baker’s Comedy
Recently, Baker released her Netflix stand-up special, The Mother Lode, on February 20, 2024, just days after the SNL50 event. This hour-long performance reflects her experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and new motherhood, with significant portions filmed both during her pregnancy and postpartum.
In her podcast discussion, Baker shared her perspective on the often-overlooked dark side of motherhood.
“It’s so funny that you say that it’s less dark, because to me it’s so much darker,” she noted. “Motherhood is so much darker—and pregnancy for sure is so much darker—than death,” she added.
Baker has previously opened up about the loss of her younger sister, who tragically drowned at a young age. While this traumatic event was central to her 2021 special, Whiskey Fists, she now finds the challenges of motherhood even more formidable.
“Death is just a shock to the system,”she explained. “But bringing someone into the world is so much more of a violent, shocking, traumatic experience.”
In The Mother Lode, she humorously compares Planned Parenthood to a music festival, expressing her feelings of aging out while still belonging. When questioned about her family’s reactions to her material, Baker candidly shared her uncertainty, suggesting that her family’s opinions do not overly concern her. In fact, adverse reactions from her parents might even fuel her desire to push comedic boundaries further:
“I don’t really like comedy that pushes buttons just to push buttons,” she remarked.
Currently, Baker remains dedicated to her passion for sharp humor, authentic storytelling, and intense late-night writing sessions at her computer. For those looking to catch more of her dynamic performances, SNL is available to stream on Peacock.