Saturday Night Live has a long history of producing some of the funniest moments in television, but sometimes the laughter spills over in unexpected ways.
According to SNL alum Laraine Newman, comedy powerhouse Melissa McCarthy once made another actress laugh so uncontrollably
that she accidentally peed on stage in front of an audience.
During an appearance on The View alongside fellow former SNL stars Julia Sweeney
and Leslie Jones, Newman shared the hilarious story about McCarthy’s time performing with the legendary improv group, the Groundlings.
“There was a cast member in the Groundlings that did a sketch with Melissa, and Melissa did something unexpected, and the other actress peed on the stage,” Newman revealed, sending the audience into fits of laughter.
Melissa McCarthy’s Unstoppable Comedy Energy
Melissa McCarthy has established herself as one of the most dynamic comedic performers in Hollywood, earning an Oscar nomination for Bridesmaids and making multiple unforgettable appearances as an SNL host. Her ability to go all-in on a sketch—whether it’s playing a rambunctious White House press secretary or an overeager theater mom—has made her one of the show’s most beloved guest stars.
Newman’s anecdote about McCarthy’s time at the Groundlings highlights just how much of a comedic force she has always been. The Groundlings, a famous Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy troupe, has been the training ground for many SNL cast members, including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, and Phil Hartman. If McCarthy could elicit that kind of reaction from a seasoned improv performer, it’s no surprise she went on to become one of the funniest people in the industry.
Leslie Jones Recalls McCarthy’s Determination to Make Her Break Character
While discussing the topic of breaking character on SNL, Leslie Jones chimed in with her own experience of trying—and failing—to keep a straight face while performing alongside McCarthy.
“I always broke, because I love to laugh,” Jones admitted. “I always broke, and I would always get the worst comments, like, ‘Oh, can’t you be professional?’ I’m like, you have Melissa McCarthy and Cecily Strong both doing crazy stuff.”
Jones, who was an SNL cast member from 2014 to 2019, went on to share a particularly funny moment before a sketch with McCarthy.
“Melissa told me before we [did a sketch], ‘I’m gonna break you, bitch!’” Jones recalled.
McCarthy’s commitment to making her castmates crack up was a well-known tactic, and Jones wasn’t the only SNL alum to struggle with keeping a straight face.
Julia Sweeney Remembers Struggling to Keep It Together During Chris Farley’s Legendary Sketch
Julia Sweeney, another SNL veteran, also reflected on her own challenges with maintaining composure on live television. She specifically recalled trying to keep a straight face during one of SNL’s most legendary sketches: Chris Farley’s Matt Foley: Van Down by the River.
In the now-iconic 1993 sketch, Farley played a bumbling motivational speaker who aggressively warned two teenagers, played by David Spade and Christina Applegate, about the dangers of wasting their potential. His exaggerated mannerisms, booming voice, and dramatic pratfalls made the sketch an instant classic—and an absolute nightmare for his castmates trying not to laugh.
Sweeney admitted that moments like that were particularly tough because Farley’s performance was so over-the-top that it was nearly impossible to keep a straight face.
McCarthy’s Legacy as an SNL Favorite
Melissa McCarthy’s ability to make fellow comedians break character isn’t surprising, given her track record on SNL. Since her first time hosting in 2011, she has delivered some of the most memorable moments in recent SNL history.
Her portrayal of former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer became an instant sensation, earning her an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. McCarthy’s fearless physical comedy, paired with her unpredictable energy, made her a must-watch guest every time she appeared on the show.
Even in sketches that weren’t as politically charged, McCarthy’s comedic timing and commitment to absurdity made her one of SNL’s most beloved hosts. Whether she was playing an overly aggressive Easter Bunny or an excitable theater mom forcing her kids into elaborate productions, her ability to make both the audience and her castmates laugh was unmatched.
A Story That Perfectly Captures McCarthy’s Impact on Comedy
Laraine Newman’s revelation about McCarthy making an actress laugh so hard she lost control on stage is just another testament to McCarthy’s comedic genius. It’s one thing to make an audience laugh—it’s another to make a fellow performer completely lose their composure.
And if her SNL colleagues are to be believed, she’s been doing it for years. Whether it’s an improv stage in Los Angeles or a live television show seen by millions, Melissa McCarthy has always had the ability to push comedy to its absolute limit—and sometimes, even beyond it.
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