Strategies for Successfully Pitching Ideas to Saturday Night Live or The Tonight Show
Are you brimming with ideas that you believe could bring laughter and joy to audiences night after night on Saturday Night Live or The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon? Unless you are already connected to the comedy community or have an established network of insiders, your chances of having your idea taken seriously are slim indeed. However, there are strategies you can follow that might increase your odds of success.
Understanding the Challenges
Consider this: every day, these shows receive thousands of pitches from potential contributors. Out of hundreds of emails, only a handful might be selected for further consideration. As someone who was once responsible for sorting through these pitches, I can tell you that the process is overwhelming and highly competitive.
During my time as a pitch evaluator, I received dozens of emails each week, but only managed to pass a mere handful to the writers for further consideration. Even after being selected, the success rate for these ideas to actually make it onto the air is still quite low. The sheer volume of pitches received creates a challenging environment for new and fresh ideas to penetrate.
Exploring Social Media and Direct Channels
The first and most important step is to reach out through official channels. NBC, the network that airs both Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. These platforms can be powerful tools for getting your idea noticed.
Follow the official accounts and engage with them regularly. Participate in live-tweeting events, and take the initiative to mention the shows in your content. This can help your pitch reach the right ears and increase its chances of being seen by the right people. Additionally, visit the official websites of the shows to check if there is a 'Contact Us' page with relevant information. Submitting your idea through these channels can give your pitch a better chance of being considered.
Creating a Compelling Pitch
Your pitch needs to be more than just an idea; it needs to be executed brilliantly. Start by crafting a succinct and clear summary of your concept, highlighting what makes it unique and why it would add value to the show. Ensure that your pitch is well-written and free of errors, as first impressions matter a great deal.
Include references that might appeal to the show's audience or highlight your unique aspects of humor. For example, if you're pitching a piece about a look-alike to Matthew Gaetz, including details about the entertainer's comedic timing and ability to deliver a believable portrayal can make your pitch stand out. If you're pitching a humorous skit about the weather, consider how it could satirize news reports and exaggerate situations for comedic effect.
Reaching Out Directly
While social media and website submissions are valuable, sometimes a more direct approach can be effective. Many shows have open submission forms that allow you to drop your pitch directly into their system. Utilize these resources, and don’t hesitate to follow up if you don't receive an immediate response. Persistence can sometimes pay off in unexpected ways.
Risk Factors and Missed Opportunities
Some might argue that the shows are missing out by not casting certain lookalikes, such as Matthew Gaetz, to play roles from their past work like Beavis from Beavis and Butt-Head. However, this highlights the high threshold for inclusion. Audience reception and the uniqueness of the pitch play a significant role. Whether or not a Beavis lookalike would be a perfect fit, your pitch needs to stand on its own merits.
Additionally, pitches about peculiar weather-related skits, where half the fun is in the narrative and vocal delivery, require a different set of skills. Humor often lies in the delivery, and the satirical exaggeration of unconventional situations can pay off. Sketches like the example you provided, involving a fictional storm and its comedic consequences, can indeed capture the essence of live broadcast comedy.
Conclusion: Embrace the Challenge
Pitching ideas to Saturday Night Live or The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is a million-dollar game. The odds are stacked against you, but by leveraging social media, direct submissions, and a compelling and unique pitch, you might just find yourself closer to the screen than you ever imagined.